Top 10 82-0 NBA Players to Watch for 2026-2027
With the 2025-2026 NBA season officially in the books, all eyes are on the 2026-2027 campaign. This is a critical year: several stars are entering their prime, contract situations will shake up rosters, and the question of who truly dominates the simulation engine may shift as the 2020s decade stats continue to evolve.
Here's our projection of the 10 best 82-0 players heading into the new season — who to lock in early, who's rising, and who might be overvalued based on where they currently sit in the game's database.
The simulation uses decade-averaged stats: points, rebounds, and assists, weighted by All-Star count and MVP awards. Adding another strong season to your decade average raises your in-game score — so players like Jokić, SGA, and Luka get incrementally better with each dominant year they add.
The Top 10 Going Into 2026-2027
Nikola Jokić → Holds
The Joker remains the consensus #1 pick heading into 2026-2027. Three MVPs and a stat line that no other player in the game can match at center. Even if he adds a "merely" 24-point, 12-rebound, 9-assist season, his decade average barely moves — because he's already been that good for five straight years. The number one pick in the game. Lock him in immediately.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ↑ Rising
SGA is the biggest mover heading into this season. His MVP win last year elevated his accolade stack significantly, and if OKC continues its ascent and he repeats as MVP, he could legitimately challenge Jokić for the overall #1 spot. In the simulation, MVP awards carry heavy weight — a second MVP would add a 25%+ boost to his score. Watch this space.
Luka Dončić → Holds
Luka's move to Los Angeles opened up the conversation about an MVP run in a larger market with championship expectations. His stats are already elite — 30 points a night with near-triple-double numbers — but he hasn't converted that dominance into MVP hardware yet. If 2026-2027 is the year Luka wins his first MVP, he jumps to #1 overall. A future MVP is almost certain at this point; the question is timing.
Giannis Antetokounmpo → Holds
Giannis entering his age-31 season will generate some question about sustainability, but his production has never wavered. Back-to-back MVP performances and near-30 scoring with double-digit boards are rare at any age. The Greek Freak remains the safest pick for any Bucks-aligned simulation build, and his 2020s decade stats are among the best at the forward position in the entire game database.
Jayson Tatum ↑ Rising
Six All-Star selections and counting. Tatum is entering his prime age-28 season and has been quietly one of the most consistent forwards in the game. He's never won an MVP, but his All-Star count alone makes him a top-5 pick. If he nudges his scoring average above 28 or 29 this season, he makes a real case for MVP conversation — and that would vault him significantly in the simulation.
LeBron James ↓ Watch
The GOAT conversation never ends, but the reality is LeBron is in the twilight of his career heading into 2026-2027. His 2020s decade stats remain excellent — four MVPs give him massive weight in the simulation — but if his per-game production drops meaningfully this season, it will pull his decade average down slightly. His floor is still top-10 in the entire game. His ceiling is just lower than it was three years ago.
Joel Embiid ↑ Rising (if healthy)
The perpetual asterisk. When healthy, Joel Embiid is top-3 in the world. His injury history has limited his All-Star count and decade averages over the years, but the production when he plays is all-time caliber. If he plays 70+ games in 2026-2027 and his performance matches his peak, a second MVP is realistic — and that would push him into the top 3 in the simulation rankings.
Donovan Mitchell ↑ Rising
Six All-Star appearances and counting, and Spida is only getting better. Cleveland's continued playoff success has elevated his national profile, and his consistent scoring in the high-20s makes him one of the most reliable guards in the game database. If he adds a 7th All-Star this season, he moves firmly into the top-5 guard conversation for the 82-0 engine.
Stephen Curry ↓ Watch
Like LeBron, Curry's aging curve becomes a factor heading into 2026-2027. His two MVPs and four All-Star nods remain significant accolade weight in the simulation, but if his scoring drops from 27 toward 22-23, his decade average trends down. The Golden State dynasty era is locked in at its peak — what happens in 2026-2027 will only marginally affect his 2020s composite number. Still a top-10 pick, just with reduced upside.
Anthony Edwards ↑ Rising Fast
Ant-Man is the next big thing, and the 2026-2027 season could be the year he fully arrives as a franchise cornerstone. His explosiveness and scoring instincts are elite, and as his All-Star count climbs, his simulation value will climb with it. Keep an eye on his trajectory — he's the player most likely to crack the top-5 over the next two to three seasons. An early investment in Anthony Edwards is the smart long-term play.
The simulation rewards players at their statistical peak — not aging veterans declining in their final seasons. If Luka or SGA appears likely to win MVP this year, their value will increase after the season ends. Jokić and Giannis are safe picks right now because they're already peak-priced.
Under-the-Radar Picks
Outside the top 10, a few players offer excellent value for franchise-specific builds:
Devin Booker (PHO) — Consistent 27-point scorer with multiple All-Star appearances. Elite for Suns-themed builds.
Tyrese Haliburton (IND) — The best playmaking guard in the simulation at his position tier. Assists in the 10+ range give him a massive edge in balanced-roster strategies.
Bam Adebayo (MIA) — Underrated in the simulation because his points aren't flashy, but his rebounds and defensive metrics make him a top-5 center value after Jokić and Embiid.
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