Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic is doing it all for the Mavericks this year, but the load will be lifted as now he has All-Star Kyrie Irving. Still only 23-years-old, Doncic is leading the NBA in scoring (33.3 points per game) while also being top-five in assists.

Doncic is putting up one of the highest usage rates in league history right now, and he has Dallas in the thick of the playoff race despite an uninspiring roster around him. 

Lauri Markkanen

Markkanen is having a breakout season as Utah’s No. 1 option, emerging as one of the top players in the league thanks to his unique skill set as an athletic 7-footer.

He’s averaging career-highs in points (24.9), shot attempts (16.1), field goal percentage (51.8%), three-point percentage (42.3%), assists (1.7), minutes (34.2), and effective field goal percentage (61.8%). He’s also averaging 8.6 rebounds per game, the second-most in his career. He will be replacing Zion Williamson due to injury. 

Nikola Jokic

The back-to-back MVP winner is having an arguably even better season this year while leading the Denver Nuggets to the best record in the West. Jokic is averaging 24.7 points, 10 assists, and 11 rebounds per game on 70 percent true shooting.

Jokic is taking fewer shots this year, but he still scores as efficiently as any superstar of this generation when he decides he wants to get a bucket. He remains one of the best passers of all-time, and his playmaking feels as impactful as ever this year. 

Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies superstar point guard Ja Morant made history in 2022 when he became just the second player in franchise history named an NBA All-Star starter. Morant is scoring at a rate of 27.4 points per game this season, matching his career-high set during 2021-22. He’s also moving the ball around more, averaging 8.3 assists per game this season versus 6.7 in 2021-2022.

He has recorded three triple-doubles and eight double-doubles, including setting a career-high 17 assists in a game against Toronto on Dec. 29. That was also the last time he’s scored less than 20 points in a game he’s played, scoring 19. He will replace Curry as starter due to injury. 

LeBron James

LeBron is having another awesome individual season, even if he’s no longer the best player in the NBA. His numbers – 30 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7 assists – are as great as ever. Coming off from breaking the all-time scoring record, he will definitely put on another show in his 19th season as an All-Star.