ESPN just dropped their 2026 NBA player rankings, and for the first time in NBA Rank’s 15-year history, LeBron James is outside the Top 10. He tumbled from No. 8 last season all the way down to No. 18 this year, and honestly, seeing the GOAT at that spot is jarring.
A New Era, But Still Elite
Yeah, the numbers are a punch to the gut if you’re used to seeing LeBron at the absolute top. He’s 41 years old and will turn 42 in a few months, making him the oldest player in the entire NBA. So, a bit of a fall in the rankings is expected. But let’s be real, seeing him at No. 18 after 15 years in the Top 10 is wild. Still, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN put it, seeing a guy pushing 42 still ranked inside the Top 25 is probably the better way to look at it. This is a 22-time All-Star we’re talking about! Teams were still scrambling to get him after he left the Lakers, and that tells you everything you need to know about his continued talent. He’s not quite the same player he was a year ago, but he’s far from done.
Philly’s New Maestro
Now, what does this new ranking actually mean for the court? LeBron is heading to the 76ers, where he’s likely to reprise his role as a No. 3 option. Last season with the Lakers, his scoring took a backseat to Doncic and Reaves, but he still had success. In Philly, he’ll be behind Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, but Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey has already said they want James to play point forward and orchestrate the offense. That’s a huge role, similar to what he did when the Lakers won the 2020 title! His touches might not suffer much at all, despite being a third option. With a fantasy projection of 21 points, seven assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game, you know he can still absolutely stuff a stat sheet.
So, yeah, LeBron’s at No. 18, and it’s definitely a change. But if the 76ers are giving him the keys to run the offense, we’re about to see what a 41-year-old GOAT can still orchestrate. Get ready for some serious dimes and a whole lot of control. It’s gonna be fun to watch him make his mark in Philly!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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