LeBron, Curry and Durant Drop to NBA 2026 Tier 2 as Age and Injuries Bite
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 21
LeBron, Curry and Durant Drop to NBA 2026 Tier 2 as Age and Injuries Bite
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 21
Three former Tier 1 fixtures — LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant — were moved into Tier 2 in the 2026 NBA player rankings, signaling a reshuffle of the league’s top 30.
Age and durability drove the slide: Curry is 38 after knee and hamstring issues, Durant will be 38 after postseason injuries, and James enters a 23rd season with reduced scoring, minutes and 31.7% 3-point shooting.
The ranking argues Tier 2 stars remain essential to contention but are no longer reliable solo title engines, especially for smaller guards or aging scorers who need stronger roster support.
Tier 2 still includes high-end All-Stars such as Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Kawhi Leonard, Tyrese Maxey and Karl-Anthony Towns, underscoring how deep the sub-elite group has become.
How will NBA expansion reshape the value and distribution of the league's crowded field of Tier 2 stars?
As injuries sideline top talent, must the NBA shorten its season to protect its star players and championship integrity?
With legends demoted to Tier 2, is the era of a single superstar winning a championship now over?