NBA Face of the League Rankings: LeBron James reminds everyone he's still at the top
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- LeBron James claimed the #1 spot after his free agency decision put the league on hold for nearly a month; five teams — Warriors, Wolves, Cavaliers, Heat, and Sixers — courted him before he chose the Philadelphia 76ers for his 24th season at age 42, with the commissioner waiting on his pick before finalizing the schedule.
- Victor Wembanyama was ranked #2 as the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history and the youngest player ever to make All-NBA and reach the NBA Finals in the same season; he won't turn 23 until January.
- Stephen Curry landed at #3 as a four-time NBA champion and the best shooter the league has ever seen, despite playing only 43 games last season and turning 39 in March.
- Jalen Brunson earned the #5 spot after delivering the Knicks their first championship in 53 years as Finals MVP, capping a career that began with him slipping to the second round of the NBA draft.
- Luka Dončić came in at #6 with six first-team All-NBA selections in eight seasons, now positioned as the Lakers' undisputed star with LeBron's departure to Philadelphia.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo was docked to #9 partly for how Milwaukee handled his exit, with the article arguing the Bucks should have moved on from him the moment Damian Lillard tore his Achilles 15 months ago.
Why it matters: LeBron's free-agency holdup — with five teams courting and the commissioner waiting on his pick before finalizing the schedule — proved he still commands the league at 42. But the #2 ranking for 22-year-old Wembanyama, already a unanimous DPOY, signals the generational handoff is closing in fast.
