With the 2025-26 NBA season two months away , ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith released his list of the top-five players to watch entering October. The group is led by Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic , two stars linked by last season’s blockbuster trade . Smith placed Davis at the top of his list. The 32-year-old forward was dealt to Dallas at the February trade deadline in exchange for Doncic . In nine games with the Mavericks, Davis averaged 20 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Combined with his time in Los Angeles, Davis finished the 2024-25 season averaging 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists,