In recent years, the NBA landscape has witnessed significant shifts as top-tier talents migrated between conferences, altering the dynamics of the league. The past three years, in particular, have seen five top-30 players—Paul George, Damian Lillard, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, and Tyrese Haliburton—relocate from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference. This migration has shaken up the power structure, creating intriguing new rivalries and team dynamics on both coasts.
The Eastern Conference has notably benefitted from the arrival of Brunson and Mitchell, each making a profound impact on their respective teams. Despite the influx of talent to the East, the Western Conference continues to boast the majority of the league's elite players. Nine of the top 12 NBA players still hail from the West, and the Top 100 list favored the West with 54 players compared to the East's 46.
Among the impactful moves back to the West were Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Domantas Sabonis. Durant, in particular, maintained his status as a dominant force, averaging 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists last season while shooting 41% from three-point range. His return has bolstered the competition in the West, further highlighting the conference's deep pool of talent.
While Kevin Durant's performance remains exceptional, Nikola Jokic has cemented his status as arguably the best player in the league. As Brad Botkin notes, “His defense has made great strides. The fact that he has zero interest in being recognized as the world's best player is, in part, what actually makes him the world's best player.” Jokic's consistent excellence has set a high bar for his peers.
Desmond Bane's burgeoning career continues to impress. Despite increased usage to 27.3% in his fourth year, Bane maintained his efficiency, averaging 24.6 points in Ja Morant's absence. “The Grizzlies' franchise player was willing to defer to Bane at times when they shared the floor,” observes James Herbert. Such dynamics illustrate the evolving roles and emerging talents within teams.
In the award spotlight, Rudy Gobert claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time, underscoring his defensive prowess. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns, once ranked as high as No. 11 on previous top-100 lists, is among the best big men shooters of all time. “Towns is among the best big man shooters of all time,” says Sam Quinn, emphasizing his notable offensive capabilities.
Kawhi Leonard's consistent play remains a focal point for the Clippers, who now face the challenge of integrating James Harden into their offense following Paul George’s departure to Philadelphia. Leonard played 68 games last season, averaging 23 points per game with a true-shooting clip better than 62%. His presence is crucial as the Clippers navigate this transition.
The Timberwolves celebrated their journey to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2004, propelled by Anthony Edwards, who led the team and earned his first All-NBA appearance last season. This breakthrough highlights the increasing parity and competitive balance within the league.
As up-and-coming stars carve out their legacies, Jalen Williams stands out. His statistics without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the court were reminiscent of Kevin Durant's numbers, showcasing his scoring versatility and defensive capabilities. “His future looks bright with All-Star appearances seemingly just a matter of time,” remarks James Herbert.
Over in the Mavericks' camp, Luka Doncic continues to captivate fans and analysts alike with his extraordinary performances. “Even after six years in the league, it's not uncommon to walk away from watching Doncic play and still think, 'How is he doing this?'” marvels Jasmyn Wimbish. Doncic's ability to astound and deliver consistently underscores his status as one of the league's premier talents.
The NBA remains a dynamic and evolving landscape, where player movements and emerging talents continually reshape the competition. While the Western Conference retains a stronghold on many of the league's top players, the Eastern Conference's infusion of new talent promises exciting developments and a closely contested championship race in the seasons to come.