Most Untouchable Players In The NBA

On Sunday, the NBA and sports world experienced one of the most shocking trades ever. Dallas Mavericks’ 25 year-old superstar Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, along with Maxi Kleber and Markeiff Morris, for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.

Seeing that trade happen proved that you should always expect the unexpected in the NBA, but it also got me thinking. If not Luka Dončić, then who is the most untouchable player in the league? In this article, I will give you a list of the five most untouchable players in the NBA.

No. 5: Giannis Antetokounmpo; PF, Milwaukee Bucks

Antetokounmpo was drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013. It took him a few seasons to break out, but he did so in a big way in year four, averaging 22.9 points and winning the 2016-17 Most Improved Player award.

Two seasons later, in 2018-19, he won his first career MVP averaging 27.7 points. The following year, he won it again while averaging 29.5 points. Then in 2020-21, he helped the Bucks win their first NBA championship since the 1970-71 season.

While Antetokounmpo is now 30 years old and is starting to be floated around in trade rumors, he’s averaged at least 30 points per game over the last 3 seasons and is someone Bucks’ GM Jon Horst should be incredibly hesitant about moving.

No. 4: Jayson Tatum; SF, Boston Celtics

Tatum was drafted third overall by the Celtics in 2017. He made an impact immediately, being known for dunking on LeBron James during the Celtics-Cavaliers 2017-18 Eastern Conference Finals series.

Two years later, he became the face of the franchise when Kyrie Irving departed for the Brooklyn Nets. Since then, Tatum has made the NBA Finals with Boston twice, winning it all during the 2024-25 season.

Say what you want about Tatum, but he’s averaged at least 26 points per game every season since 2020-21 and has become a Celtics legend. With Boston toward the top of the standings and contending for a title year in and year out, I’d be shocked to see Tatum suiting up for a different team anytime soon.

No. 3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

Gilgeous-Alexander made his way to OKC after his rookie season as part of the blockbuster trade that made Paul George a Los Angeles Clipper. After being mentored by Chris Paul for one season, SGA has taken over as the Thunder’s top player.

He’s averaged 30 plus points over the last two seasons and was the runner-up for league MVP last year. He led the Thunder back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019-20 last season where they finished as the West’s No. 1 seed but lost in the 2nd round.

This season, he has Oklahoma City back atop the West and is the current front-runner for MVP. GM Sam Presti should have no plans of moving on from the superstar guard.

No. 2: Victor Wembanyama; C, San Antonio Spurs

While this is only Wembanyama’s second NBA season, he’s lived up to expectations and then some. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wemby is a unicorn and generational talent.

He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks as a rookie and has improved all of those stat lines this season, posting 24.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.9 blocks. In addition, he was named an All Star for the first time.

While the Spurs aren’t quite in the playoff picture, they are building something and Wembanyama is at the front of their future plans. Not to mention, Wemby is the current front-runner to win Defensive Player of the Year.

No. 1: Nikola Jokić; C, Denver Nuggets

One of the league’s best players, Jokić entered the NBA in the summer of 2014 as a second-round pick after famously being drafted during a Taco Bell commercial.

He showed flashes in his first five seasons but really broke out in his sixth, averaging a near triple-double and winning his first of three MVP awards in a four-year span. In 2022-23 he took Denver all the way to the mountaintop, helping the Nuggets win their first title in franchise history.

Jokić isn’t just a franchise icon, but maybe the greatest player in Denver history. At age 29, he’s shown no signs of slowing down and will definitely be the face of the Nuggets for years to come.

Adam Pietrzak is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email app5940@psu.edu.