Prediction: 10 best NBA players in five years

What will the league look like in 5 years? Nobody knows it, but we can still try to predict it. This article was strongly inspired by Bleacher Report's prediction I saw, where they tried to list the 20 best players in 2020 back in 2015. If you see their list, you'll realize how dangerous this can get. They added Dragan Bender (19th) and Jahlil Okafor (18th), and now both of them are bench players and considered busts. Now, let's see who will the best players be in 2025.

10. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers, Guard

Ben Simmons is already a monster at only 23 years old. The only problematic with this player is his jumpshot. He's an amazing playmaker, inside scorer, can defend any player on the court with his big height (6ft 10) and his athleticism. I guess he could improve his shooting in 5 years, just like he could have in his first three. In three years, he only made one three point shot, in which he was absolutely open. This would open the playbook for him and his teammates and make it way easier to rank him even higher than that. The guy is a three point shot away from being a top 3 to 5 player in the league.

9. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Center

KAT will be and is already the best offensive center in the league. He's versatile, an excellent playmaker for a center, a shooter, a beast in inside scoring, to make it simple, an offensive superarm. With D'Angelo Russell now in the team, Towns has a point guard who can execute plays, a first in his career. Plus, Russell is known for his love of the pick'n'roll action, just like the 24 years old center. In 5 years, if Towns can improve a bit more on the defensive end with his rim protecting, he'll surely have a place on this list.

8. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Forward

Jayson Tatum is already a good all-around player at 22, imagine at 27. He has the potential to be the franchise player of the Celtics and create something big in the state of Massachusetts. This year, he took a big jump and was a top 20 player in the league, if not 15. An elite defensive player with an efficient offensive mindset. He has a bit of work to do on his inside scoring, but the rest of his game is already at an All-Star level at 22, I'll say it again.

7. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, Guard

This is way too soon but this is based on his first season (this year) in which he was the Rookie of the year. At only 20 years old, Morant was averaging 17.6 points per game with almost 7 assists on good shooting efficiency (49.1%). Against all odds, he was leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a playoff run, everybody taught they would be one of the worst teams in the league. The point guard from Murray State is a future franchise player and MVP candidate for sure. Plus, he seems like a great leader with the young squad in Memphis.

6. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns, Guard

Devin Booker is one of the best offensive player already at 23. He will be a 25+point scorer over his career since he started doing it at only 21 years old. For him to make this list, he absolutely needs to be in the playoffs at one point. The Phoenix Suns can't continue to be a bad team, they simply can't. Booker has to develop his defensive play, because sometimes it seems like he just doesn't even try and that may be because of his losing situation. He's below average at the moment, but he has a lot of time to work on it and finally fix it.

5. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Forward

The biggest impact on this athletic beast is his health. With his weight and height, injuries can come pretty quick just like we've seen as he missed a major part of his rookie season. In 19 games in the NBA, Williamson averaged more than 23 points on 59% for the field. This is just the beginning of something big in New Orleans, with the combination of an incredible IQ player in Lonzo Ball, they could shake the league for years to come. Don't have much more to say about him since everybody knows, he could very well be the next LeBron of the NBA.

4. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Guard

Trae Young has already exceeded all expectations about him. In only his second year, he's averaging 29 points a night with 9.3 assists. He has the potential to be the next best point guard in the NBA after Stephen Curry is gone. They both can drown from pretty much anywhere in the offensive end, from the inside scoring to the deep threes. Plus, he's already one of the best passers in the league, even if his teammates can't hit a shot to prove it. Just like many young players, Young has to improve on the defensive end of the court. Right now, he's a liability on this part of the field, so if he could improve to a little below average, he'll replace Curry with ease.

3. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers, Forward

From the defensive end to the offensive end, Davis is simply unstoppable. At 27 years old, he already laced his name as one of the best power forwards to ever play the game. He has played at a superstar level since his early years and right now, we are talking about a defensive player of the year candidate (probably winner) averaging almost 27 points per game. His presence is as essential to the Lakers as LeBron's. We don't know if he'll still be a Laker in 2025, we do know that he'll be one of the best players in the league at 32. His gamestyle is one that can get him to dominate for years to come even at 32 years old.

2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Guard

If I had to build a franchise right now, I would probably think about taking Luka Doncic. In 2025, he will be 26 years old and already an MVP winner. Right now, in his second year in the NBA, he's easily a top 10 player and that is if he is not a top 5. He can do it all on the court; shooting, scoring, assists, rebounds, anything can come from Luka. Even if he isn't he fastest player on the court, he brings the game how he wants it; slow with high IQ plays. A strategist on the offensive end. His defense is lacking a little bit and that is why he can not be the number one on this list.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Forward

Don't have much to say about Antetokounmpo except facts. He can not be stopped on the field. He is too gifted physically and his athleticism puts him in another dimension. The Greak Freak will have a second MVP award in two years, if it wasn't for this, he'd also be in for his second Defensive player of the year award too. Wherever Giannis is in 5 years, this team will automatically be a contender. In 2025, he will be 30 years old, in perfect shape and one of the most dominant players the league has ever seen. It just isn't normal to be as quick and elusive as he is with his physique. Even at 25, Giannis is showing improvement in his basketball IQ, and it will continue to grow over the course of his career.

Credit: Bleacher Report

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