NBA Power Rankings: Athletes Facing Significant Pressure

The 2026 NBA trade deadline (Thursday, 3 p.m. ET) is just one day away, with a series of significant trades already underway, including James Harden’s move from the LA Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland.

As the league and its fans anticipate another major trade, the regular season continues, and teams are focusing on the upcoming postseason.

In the Eastern Conference, the Charlotte Hornets are on a roll, enjoying a seven-game winning streak led by Rookie of the Year contender Kon Knueppel. Conversely, the Portland Trail Blazers in the West have struggled recently, facing a losing streak.

This week, we consulted our NBA insiders to identify the player facing the most pressure on each team. Whether related to the trade deadline, offseason expectations, or the general demand for postseason success, which players should we keep an eye on for the remainder of the season?

Note: Team rankings reflect the opinions of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill, and Zach Kram) regarding team standings.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Nov. 26 | Dec. 3 | Dec. 10 | Dec. 17 | Dec. 24 | Dec. 31 | Jan. 7 | Jan. 14 | Jan. 21 | Jan. 28

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

• 2025-26 record: 39-11

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: @ SA (Feb. 4), vs. HOU (Feb. 7), @ LAL (Feb. 9)

Player under the most pressure: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

There aren’t really any players on the Thunder facing significant pressure until April, May, and June when their title defense will be scrutinized in the postseason. They have proven themselves. However, Gilgeous-Alexander has a distinct opportunity to secure his second regular-season MVP and continue to accumulate accolades as he enhances his legacy. As the clear leader on the court for the championship contenders, it is primarily his responsibility to ensure his team performs at its best when the playoffs commence. — Anthony Slater

2. Detroit Pistons

• 2025-26 record: 37-12

• Previous ranking: 2

• Next games: vs. WAS (Feb. 5), vs. NYK (Feb. 6), @ CHA (Feb. 9)

Player under the most pressure: Cade Cunningham

Cunningham may bear the most responsibility of any No. 1 option, given the absence of a high-caliber No. 2 in Detroit. The MVP candidate is the driving force behind everything the Pistons do, leading the league in assists (9.8 per game). For Detroit to potentially reach the conference finals or beyond, he will need to elevate his performance as a two-way player. — Vincent Goodwill

3. Denver Nuggets

• 2025-26 record: 33-18

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: @ NYK (Feb. 4), @ CHI (Feb. 7), vs. CLE (Feb. 9)

Player under the most pressure: Peyton Watson

After failing to secure an extension of his rookie contract, Watson entered the season eager to demonstrate his worth. He has responded with a breakout year, averaging a career-high 15.0 points while shooting 50.4% from the field and 42.8% from beyond the arc leading up to Tuesday’s game, positioning himself as one of the top free agents for the offseason if he can sustain this level of performance.

Watson excelled during Nikola Jokic’s absence, averaging 22.1 points over 16 games, showing he can be more than just a 3-and-D player. The challenge for the 23-year-old will be to continue contributing effectively for the Nuggets to make a deep playoff run while managing the distractions of his impending restricted free agency. — Tim MacMahon

4. San Antonio Spurs

• 2025-26 record: 33-16

• Previous ranking: 5

• Next games: vs. OKC (Feb. 4), @ DAL (Feb. 5), vs. DAL (Feb. 7), @ LAL (Feb. 10)

Player under the most pressure: Jeremy Sochan

Sochan has missed seven of San Antonio’s last ten games due to injuries, causing him to fall out of the team’s rotation, partly due to rookie forward Carter Bryant’s emergence. However, Sochan remains in good standing with the organization, which continues to praise the 22-year-old’s professionalism despite his lack of playing time.

When given the chance, the former top-10 pick has delivered solid performances. It is likely that he will soon be contributing for another team, which adds to the pressure on Sochan, who is set to become a restricted free agent. — Michael C. Wright

5. New York Knicks

• 2025-26 record: 32-18

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: vs. DEN (Feb. 4), @ DET (Feb. 6), @ BOS (Feb. 8), vs. IND (Feb. 10)

Player under the most pressure: Karl-Anthony Towns

The All-Star leads the league in rebounding (11.9 per game), is a formidable scorer from all areas, and could be the best floor-spacing big in the league. Yet, he often leaves fans wanting more. He is at the center of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions, so he must perform at a high level to help the Knicks advance beyond the East and into the Finals. While Jalen Brunson remains consistent, Towns is frequently subject to scrutiny. — Goodwill

6. Houston Rockets

• 2025-26 record: 31-17

• Previous ranking: 3

• Next games: vs. BOS (Feb. 4), vs. CHA (Feb. 5), @ OKC (Feb. 7), vs. LAC (Feb. 10)

Player under the most pressure: Reed Sheppard

Kevin Durant (sprained ankle) missed Monday’s win against the Pacers, allowing second-year guard Sheppard to start his first game since Dec. 1. The pressure on Sheppard will be largely self-imposed, as the 21-year-old recognizes that Houston views him as a potential future star.

The absence of veteran Fred VanVleet provides Sheppard with a greater opportunity to develop rapidly. Although he has shot 50% or better from the field in only two of his last 13 games, the Rockets expect him to maintain offensive aggression while continuing to improve defensively. — Wright

7. Boston Celtics

• 2025-26 record: 32-18

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: @ HOU (Feb. 4), vs. MIA (Feb. 6), vs. NYK (Feb. 8)

Player under the most pressure: Nikola Vucevic

Following his acquisition for Anfernee Simons on Tuesday, Vucevic is likely the most significant addition to a Celtics team that has exceeded expectations without Jayson Tatum after several key departures last summer. Vucevic is a proficient shooting big (37% this season on over four attempts per game) and has long been a dependable rebounder, making him valuable in coach Joe Mazzulla’s center rotation alongside Neemias Queta. — Tim Bontemps

8. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2025-26 record: 31-20

• Previous ranking: 10

• Next games: @ TOR (Feb. 4), vs. NO (Feb. 6), vs. LAC (Feb. 8), vs. ATL (Feb. 9)

Player under the most pressure: Anthony Edwards

Unless there are changes before Thursday afternoon, Edwards will continue to face pressure as the Timberwolves seek a point guard to alleviate some of the creative burden on the star guard. So far, they have not succeeded, with former lottery pick Rob Dillingham struggling in his second year. — Bontemps

9. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2025-26 record: 30-21

• Previous ranking: 11

• Next games: @ LAC (Feb. 4), @ SAC (Feb. 7), @ DEN (Feb. 9)

Player under the most pressure: James Harden

Another trade for Harden places the 36-year-old 11-time All-Star on a contender, offering him another opportunity to enhance his playoff legacy — his shooting and 3-point percentages tend to drop in the playoffs compared to the regular season. Harden was performing at a high level and was instrumental in the Clippers’ recent resurgence, but he must now adapt to playing alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley as Cleveland aims for a championship. — Jamal Collier

10. Phoenix Suns

• 2025-26 record: 31-20

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: vs. GS (Feb. 5), vs. PHI (Feb. 7), vs. DAL (Feb. 10)

Player under the most pressure: Jalen Green

With a record of 31-20 through 51 games, the Suns are undeniably one of the feel-good stories of the season, featuring a new coach in Jordan Ott and a revamped roster around Devin Booker. However, Jalen Green has not been part of that narrative. He has been limited to five games due to a troublesome right hamstring issue, leaving his role within this Suns team largely uncertain. He will need to assess his fit as he regains health with the playoffs on the horizon. — Dave McMenamin

11. Toronto Raptors

• 2025-26 record: 30-21

• Previous ranking: 8

• Next games: vs. MIN (Feb. 4), vs. CHI (Feb. 5), vs. IND (Feb. 8)

Player under the most pressure: Collin Murray-Boyles

While Murray-Boyles’ veteran teammates may face more overall pressure, such as Brandon Ingram, who has yet to win a playoff series, he is now under significant pressure due to Jakob Poeltl’s ongoing back injury. Murray-Boyles has stepped into the role of starting center for a playoff team and is tasked with anchoring (along with Scottie Barnes) a top-10 defense as a rookie. Toronto may ease some of that pressure by acquiring a big man before the deadline, but for now, the No. 9 pick from last year’s draft is set to face a challenging spring. — Zach Kram

12. Los Angeles Lakers

• 2025-26 record: 30-19

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: vs. PHI (Feb. 5), vs. GS (Feb. 7), vs. OKC (Feb. 9), vs. SA (Feb. 10)

Player under the most pressure: Austin Reaves

While there are discussions about Luka Doncic facing pressure to lead L.A.