Stephen A. Smith Reveals Shocking Top 5 NBA Players Who Could Dominate This Season—Is Your Favorite on the List?

Ever wonder if this NBA season could be the tipping point where old battles become legendary epics? With the offseason simmering quietly, it’s tempting to think we’re in a lull — but nah, the drama’s already brewing beneath the surface. Stephen A. Smith just dropped his list of five must-watch players this year: Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and Kyrie Irving. Now, that’s a cocktail of talent and unpredictability that could set the stage for some jaw-dropping moments. And get this—Smith boldly claims that a healthy Irving and peak-performing Davis might just catapult the Mavericks all the way to the title. That’s a hefty gamble considering their injury histories, but hey, in the wild west of NBA’s 2025-26 season—who’s to say the rulebook can’t be rewritten? Stick around, this might just be the most electrifying ride yet.

The top tier of NBA players is as elite as it has ever been, and while this is the quietest part of the offseason, it’s never too early to get excited about next season.

There are a ton of interesting subplots heading into next season, but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith recently named who he believes are the five players to watch this season.

During a recent segment on First Take, Smith listed Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and Kyrie Irving as the top five players to watch.

.@stephenasmith shares his list of top five players to watch this NBA season pic.twitter.com/A7EY2sIg33

— First Take (@FirstTake) August 22, 2025

Smith went so far as to say that if Irving is healthy and Davis brings his A-Game, the Mavericks will win the NBA title.

It’s a major proclamation considering the age and injury history the two of them bring to the table, though if healthy and with No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg alongside them, Dallas could do a lot better than it did last season.

It’s unclear when Irving will return, but a general estimate would have him back sometime around the All-Star break as he works his way back from an ACL tear.

Doncic has reportedly gotten in tremendous shape this summer after being subtly fat-shamed by Mavs general manager Nico Harrison following their blockbuster trade, and it will be exciting to see if he can take the next step for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kevin Durant was acquired by the Houston Rockets as the potential missing piece for their title aspirations, while Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors have a two-year window to capitalize on what could be the last chapter of their aging superstars’ careers.

Smith picked five stars from the West in this list, and it’s no surprise, because the Western Conference is slated to be an all-time battle in 2025-26.

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