The NBA 2026-27 season has many storylines that could shape the league’s future. Some big stars are entering another season at the top of their game. Some young players are ready to take a bigger role. Others are starting a new chapter with a different team.
That makes this season very interesting to watch. From MVP-level stars to young players ready for a big jump and a veteran superstar trying to make an impact with a new team, these are the 10 players to watch in the 2026-27 NBA season.
10 Players to Watch in the 2026-27 NBA Season
Here are the top 10 players to watch out for in the NBA 2026-27 season.
| Player | Team |
| Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Luka Dončić | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks |
| Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets |
| Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets |
| Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons |
| Amen Thompson | Houston Rockets |
| Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs |
1. Victor Wembanyama — San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama already looks like one of the most unique players in NBA history. The 2026-27 season could show how much more he can improve.
Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists during the 2025-26 season. His impact goes beyond these numbers. At 7-foot-4, he can protect the rim, defend smaller players, and shoot from outside.
The Spurs have also moved past the rebuilding stage. They reached the NBA Finals in 2026, so expectations are now much higher in San Antonio. Wembanyama will have to handle a bigger role as the team tries to stay at the top.
He can change a game on both offense and defense. Fans will want to see how much he improves his offensive game while keeping his strong defensive impact.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enters the 2026-27 season after another outstanding year.
He averaged 31.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in 2025-26. He also won his second straight MVP award and helped Oklahoma City finish with the NBA’s best record at 64-18.
SGA stands out because of his consistency. He scored at least 20 points in all 68 games he played last season. He also extended his streak of 20-point games to 140.
His footwork, pace, and ball control make him very difficult to defend. He can create his own shots and regularly attacks the basket.
Now, he must keep producing at the same level while leading an Oklahoma City team with championship goals.
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3. Luka Dončić — Los Angeles Lakers
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Luka Dončić has already become one of the NBA’s best offensive players. The 2026-27 season could become another important year for him because of his role with the Lakers.
Dončić averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in 2025-26. He also won his second scoring title in three seasons.
His biggest strength is his ability to control the game. Luka can create his own shot, attack switches, find open shooters, and control the pace without depending only on his athletic ability.
The big storyline will be how much the Lakers rely on him. His health will also be important after he missed the entire 2026 playoff run because of a hamstring injury.
If Luka stays healthy, fans will get to watch one of the NBA’s best offensive creators handle an even bigger role.
4. Cooper Flagg — Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg gave fans plenty to watch during his rookie season. Now, his second season could be even more interesting.
The No. 1 pick averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks in 70 games during the 2025-26 season. He won Rookie of the Year and earned a unanimous selection to the All-Rookie First Team.
Cooper Flagg also led Dallas in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals. He joined Michael Jordan as the only rookie to lead their team in all four categories.
Those numbers explain why his second season matters so much.
Flagg can handle the ball, defend different positions, rebound, and create his own shots. His next step will be to become more efficient and consistent.
With another year of NBA experience, he could take an even bigger role as Dallas’ young star.
5. Nikola Jokić — Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokić continues to produce numbers that most players could only dream about.
He averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists during the 2025-26 season. He recorded a triple-double average for the second time in his career.
Jokić does much more than score. He can run Denver’s offense, collect rebounds, and make important decisions in the half-court. His passing ability from the center position gives the Nuggets a different way to attack defenses.
He also became only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double in multiple seasons.
At 31, Jokić remains one of Denver’s most important players. The main storyline will be whether he can lead the Nuggets on another deep playoff run.
6. Anthony Edwards — Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards enters another important season in his development.
He averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 2025-26, setting another career high in scoring.
Edwards combines great athletic ability with better perimeter shooting. He can attack the rim, create difficult shots and produce offense during important moments.
The next step will be to add more playmaking and consistency to his scoring.
At 25, Edwards is no longer just a young player learning the NBA. Minnesota now expects him to play a major role as the team tries to compete at a high level.
7. Kevin Durant — Houston Rockets
Kevin Durant brings a different story to the 2026-27 season.
During his first season with Houston, Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
Even at this stage of his career, Durant remains a difficult scorer to defend. His height, shooting range and pull-up jumper allow him to score against many different types of defenders.
His arrival also changes Houston’s team.
The Rockets have young players, athletic defenders, and players who can attack the basket. Durant gives them an experienced scorer who can create a shot when the offense stops working.
That makes the 2026-27 season about more than Durant’s individual numbers. It will also show what his experience can add to Houston’s young core.
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8. Cade Cunningham — Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham has become Detroit’s main offensive creator. The next step for him could be turning his individual production into more team success.
Cunningham averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists in 2025-26. He also earned All-NBA First Team honors.
His biggest strength is his ability to run an offense. He can create his own shot while also finding teammates and controlling the team’s possessions.
He also helped Detroit win 60 games in 2025-26, giving the Pistons their first 60-win season in 19 years.
That makes the 2026-27 season another important test. Opponents will now have more information about Detroit’s offense, so Cunningham will need to keep finding ways to create opportunities.
9. Amen Thompson — Houston Rockets
Amen Thompson is one of the biggest breakout names to watch.
He averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists during the 2025-26 season. He also continued to establish himself as one of Houston’s best two-way players.
His athletic ability gives him an advantage on both ends. Thompson can defend guards and wings, attack the basket, collect rebounds, and push the ball in transition.
The biggest area to watch is his offense, especially his shooting.
Houston also gave Thompson a five-year, $208 million extension in September 2026. This shows that the team expects him to play a much bigger role.
If Thompson becomes a more consistent shooter while keeping his defensive impact, he could become an even bigger part of Houston’s plans.
10. Dylan Harper — San Antonio Spurs
Dylan Harper is the youngest player on this list and one of the most interesting names to follow.
The No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Harper averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 23 playoff games as a rookie.
His size and versatility make him interesting at the guard position. At 6-foot-5, Harper can handle the ball, create shots off the dribble, and use his strength against smaller guards.
His biggest opportunity comes from the team around him.
Harper plays alongside Wembanyama and is part of a young Spurs team that already reached the NBA Finals. He does not need to become the team’s No. 1 player right away.
Instead, he can become another creator who helps Wembanyama and the rest of the Spurs offense.
A stronger second season could put Harper among the NBA’s most exciting young players.
The Names Just Outside the Top 10
Several other stars also have big storylines heading into the 2026-27 season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is entering his first season with the Miami Heat, while Jalen Brunson is coming off a season in which he helped the Knicks win the NBA championship.
Still, the 2026-27 season has plenty of different stories to follow. Established superstars will try to maintain their level, young players will look for bigger roles, and veterans will try to make an impact in new situations.
The season will give fans plenty of chances to watch the NBA’s biggest stars and its next generation of talent.
Which player will have the biggest impact on the 2026-27 NBA season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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