The NBA is filled with superstars at the peak of their powers. Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Haliburton operate at a ridiculously high level, and any one of them can claim to be the best in the league without raising much fuss.
But it appears that the next-gen align more with Nikola Jokic. The Serbian has been a three-time MVP and is currently in the running for a fourth. It is no surprise that he’s popular amongst the draft prospects.
Denver Nuggets Star Popular Amongst Top NBA Draft Prospects
A bunch of the 2025 draft prospects were asked who they think is the best player in the NBA currently and Nikola Jokic came up a lot of times. Walter Clayton Jr, Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Alijah Martin, Derick Queen, Liam McNeely, Kon Kneuppel, Vlad Golden, and Sion James all think Jokic is currently the best in the league.
“Who’s the best player in the NBA right now?”
Walter Clayton Jr.: “[Nikola] Jokic.”
Cooper Flagg: “Joker.”
Tahaad Pettiford: “James Harden.”
Ace Bailey: “To be realistic it’s Jokic, to me I’m gonna say Kevin Durant.”
(via @BleacherReport/ TT)pic.twitter.com/knJIXkwvcf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 15, 2025
Although some of them admitted their bias for other players such as James Harden, Lebron James and Kevin Durant, majority of them agreed that Jokic is the best in the league.
The prospects are now gearing up for the 2025 NBA draft and some of them are already forecasting where they might land.
Barring any unforseen circumstances, Duke’s Cooper Flagg is heading to Dallas as the overall number one pick to team up with former number one picks Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving (also an ex Blue Devil).
Flagg, along with an expected 120 other players including Dylan Harper, Derik Queen and Walter Clayton Jr., were in Chicago this week for the NBA draft combine, G League Elite Camp and agency pro days. They participated in drills, measurements, athletic testing, medical examinations, team interviews and 5-on-5 scrimmages.
KEEP READING: 2025 NBA Draft Watch: 5 College Basketball Stars Who Could Go Undrafted, Including PJ Haggerty
Nikola Jokic on the other hand is in pursuit of his second NBA championship as the nuggets prepare for a game 7 matchup with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s OKC in the western conference semifinals.
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