Anthony Davis, Luka Dončić are players to watch 2025-26, Stephen A. says

With 2025-26 NBA Season Two monthsESPN Analyst Stephen A. Smith He published his list Top five players to watch Entry into October. The group leads Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis and Los Angeles Lakers watchman Luka Doncic, Two stars associated with the Trade Blockbuster Trade.

SMITH has set up to the top of your list. 32-year-forward was Dealt Dallas in February time in exchange for Doncyc. In nine matches with Mavericks, Davis is on average 20 points, 10.1 jumps and 4.4 assists per game while recording 46.1% from the field. In combination with its time in Los Angeles, Davis finished the season from 2024-25 on average 24.7 points, 11.6 assists, 2.5 helps, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals at 51.6% with field and 28.2% from the game in three points.

Doncic, which Smith ranked elsewhere, enters his first full season with Lakers after they bowed to a three-year, $ 165 million of contract Earlier this summer. In 26, the guard produced 28.2 points, 8.1 score, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals at the game while filming 43.8% from the field and 37.9% of its 28 matches with Los Angeles. Throughout the entire campaign 2024-25, Dončić had 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.8 steals during shooting 45% of the field and 36.8% of three based on 50 performances.

Top 5 NBA players to watch this season, according to Stephen A. Smith 👀

1. Anthony Davis
2 Luka Dončić
3. Kevin Durant
4. Jimmy Butler
5. Kirie Irving

Thoughts? 🤔

(via @Stisttake) pic.twitter.com/vvveggidln

– Kutchpoints (@clutchpoints) 22. August 2025

Anthony Davis, Luka Dončić leads Stephen A. Smith the first five players to watch

Smith’s list also includes Houston rockets forward Kevin Durant, which is a third. Durant joined Houston this offseason in multi-team trade From the phoenix of the sun, marking another accommodation in his examinaire career. Jimmy Butler followed the fourth after trading from Miami heat Golden state warriors in February, giving the golden state with additional presence of all stars with Stephen Curri. Rounding the first five is Kirie Irving, recovering from torn ACL suffering in March against Sacramento Kings.

Irving, 33, remains a central figure despite returning injury. He has published 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 helps 1.3 steals per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.1% of three in 50 games last season.

Selections indicate a dramatic offseason that reshaped the league. Davis and Doncyc’s trade connected two most prominent franchises of the NBA in a rare superstery replacement, while Durant and Butler found new homes through high bids that transferred the balance of power. Irvin rehabilitation adds another story because the League provides for its eventual return.

Mavericks and Lakers are set to face in pre-season matches 15. October, television on the national side on the ESPN. Their first meeting of the regular season is coming 28. November in Los Angeles, a game that could serve as Davis’s return to face Lakehers since February trade.

With Davis and Doncyc, Stephen A is upset with Davis and Doncyc. Smith’s list, focus on both star underlines intensified expectations around Maverik and Lekers as well as season in the season 2025-26.