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ESPN Released 2026 NBA Player Rankings

The latest list places Deni Avdija at 27th overall while LeBron James sits at 18th.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Basketball

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ESPN released its 2026 NBA player rankings, featuring significant upward movement for Deni Avdija and a top-10 exit for LeBron James. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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ESPN unveiled its latest NBA player rankings, featuring a significant climb for Deni Avdija and a historic drop for LeBron James. Avdija moved up to 27th place, while James fell outside the top 10 for the first time since the 2011/12 season.

Why it matters

The rankings reflect an expert panel's projections for player performance heading into the 2026/27 season. These evaluations provide insight into current talent hierarchies as teams prepare for the new campaign.

A seven-member expert panel determined the rankings based on expected contributions for the upcoming season. Deni Avdija enters this period with 267 fouls drawn in the paint, trailing only Paolo Banchero who recorded 275.

The players

Deni Avdija

He is an NBA player for the Portland Trail Blazers who was acquired from the Washington Wizards in 2024.

LeBron James

He is a long-standing NBA superstar who has consistently ranked in the top 10 since the 2011/12 season.

ESPN

It is a global sports media organization that produces annual player ranking lists based on expert panel evaluations.

Paolo Banchero

He is an NBA athlete who led Deni Avdija with 275 fouls drawn in the paint during the 2025-26 season.

The details

Deni Avdija, who carries a $13.1 million salary, saw his ranking improve significantly from 66th to 27th following his first All-Star selection during the 2025-26 season. LeBron James was ranked 18th by the panel, marking his first time outside the top 10 since the 2011/12 season.

Timeline

  1. The 2011/12 season marked the last time LeBron James ranked outside the top 10.

  2. The Blazers acquired Deni Avdija from the Wizards in 2024.

  3. Deni Avdija earned his first All-Star selection during the 2025-26 season.

  4. ESPN released the latest NBA player rankings on September 23, 2026.

  5. The 2026/27 season represents the timeframe for the rankings' performance projections.

Season Trajectory

The movement of veteran stars and emerging players like Deni Avdija defines the shifting competitive balance across the league. These rankings set the narrative stage for the upcoming season, indicating which players are expected to anchor their teams during the playoff push.

Deni Avdija is projected to provide high value this season, potentially influencing fantasy roster decisions and team salary cap flexibility. LeBron James's position outside the top 10 signals a shift in the league's hierarchy that impacts playoff forecasting and betting markets.

The takeaway

The ranking transition highlights the natural evolution of the league as younger stars gain prominence while established legends adjust their roles. Investors and fans should note that value projections like those for Avdija often reflect efficiency metrics, such as fouls drawn, rather than pure scoring volume.

Further reading

For more on the current landscape of the professional game, visit the Basketball section.

Live Poll

Do you believe current NBA player rankings accurately reflect player impact for the upcoming season?