Nikola Jokic Tops Tight Three-Way NBA Ranking Vote

Nikola Jokic has edged out Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to claim the top spot in ESPN’s annual player rankings ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. The seven-person voting panel produced a razor-thin finish at the top of the list, separating the top three players by just three total points. The result reflects an ongoing debate across the league about who holds the title of the best player in professional basketball.

A Three-Point Separation at the Top

Jokic finished first with 694 points, narrowly beating out Wembanyama with 693 points and Gilgeous-Alexander with 691 points. An informal survey of a dozen league executives and front-office personnel revealed strong support for each of the three candidates.

Supporters of Jokic pointed to his overall offensive production and ability to orchestrate plays for his teammates. One general manager stated that “Jokic makes his whole team better than anyone else.”

Advocates for Wembanyama highlighted the 22-year-old’s defensive impact and his role in guiding the San Antonio Spurs to 62 wins during the 2025-26 season. Looking ahead, one general manager predicted that “He could be No. 1 for the next five years.”

Backers of Gilgeous-Alexander focused on his leadership and consecutive Most Valuable Player awards. One executive called Gilgeous-Alexander “the most complete player in the world.”

Challengers and Roster Moves

Behind the top three, Luka Doncic ranked fourth and Giannis Antetokounmpo was placed fifth by the voting panel. Front-office officials noted major off-season developments that could alter player trajectories in the upcoming season.

One executive suggested Doncic will flourish with the Los Angeles Lakers following the departure of LeBron James, predicting that “He will take the MVP trophy home to Slovenia next summer.” Another executive described Antetokounmpo’s situation with the Miami Heat following his trade from the Milwaukee Bucks as a “Revenge mission.”

The annual rankings also drew reaction from players. New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, who was placed at No. 89 after winning a championship, posted on social media that the rankings “are always wrong” and joked that “I should be at least No. 88.”

Background

ESPN annually ranks the top 100 players in the NBA ahead of each regular season. The list is compiled by a panel of writers and analysts, evaluating individual performance, team accomplishments, and expected contributions for the upcoming campaign.