The good news is that these three superstars, despite their age, remain some of the best players in the league. However, the bad news is their grasp on those top spots is starting to slip. It’s a sign that the era they’ve dominated for so long may soon give way to younger talent and the inevitable effects of aging.
For over a decade, LeBron, Steph, and Durant have been the face of the NBA. They’ve claimed the biggest awards, championships, and accolades, securing their place among the game’s elite. But for the first time in years, none of them are considered top-three players anymore. In fact, they didn’t even make the top five this season.
Steph, who was ranked No. 3 last year, has dropped to sixth. Durant fell from fifth to ninth, and LeBron sits in eighth, reclaiming a top-10 spot after playing 71 games last season.
Their continued presence in the top 10 is a testament to the greatness still left in their aging bodies. All three players shone brightly during this summer’s Olympics: Durant’s return from injury boosted the U.S. team, LeBron was named tournament MVP, and Steph’s iconic performance in the semifinals and final, capped by his memorable 3-pointer, was unforgettable.
That particular shot, made over the towering Victor Wembanyama, was one of the defining moments of the 2024 Paris Olympics. It wasn’t quite a passing of the torch — Steph still got the better of Wembanyama in that moment — but it did feel like a potential last stand for this generation of all-time greats.
This season could be the last where Steph, LeBron, and Durant all feature among the NBA’s top 10 players.
Age is catching up with them. Steph is 36, Durant will turn 36 soon, and LeBron will celebrate his 40th birthday in December. Age affects everyone, and for athletes, it tends to come sooner than most.
The signs are already there. Last season was the first since 2005 that none of them made it past the second round of the playoffs — back when Steph and Durant hadn’t even entered the league.
It felt like the end of an era. LeBron’s Lakers and Durant’s Suns managed only a single playoff win between them before being eliminated in the first round. Steph’s Warriors didn’t even make the playoffs.
Yet, despite the decline, they’re still among the best, which is why they’ve been ranked in the top 10 again.
LeBron posted a solid 26-7-8 stat line last season and played the most games he has in six years. Curry remained one of the league’s most lethal scorers, winning the Clutch Player of the Year award and playing 74 games. Durant, the most durable of the trio, played in 75 games while averaging over 27 points per game, the fifth-highest in the league.
However, it’s not just their age threatening their dominance. There are younger players on the rise, eager to take their place. Steph’s shot over Wembanyama could symbolize a final triumph before the next generation takes over.
Wembanyama, ranked 12th this year, could easily break into the top five or higher next season. Young stars like Anthony Edwards (10), Jalen Brunson (13), and Devin Booker (14) are poised to define the future of the game. Ja Morant (16) has MVP potential if he can stay healthy, while Tyrese Haliburton was playing at an MVP level before his January injury last season. Zion Williamson (21) and Chet Holmgren (30) also have the talent to make major strides.
Steph, LeBron, and Durant are still top-10 players for now. But with age, the rise of young stars, and their teams’ dwindling success, it’s clear: enjoy these legends at this level while you can.
Because soon — perhaps very soon — their spots among the NBA elite will belong to the next generation.
