ESPN has been doing its yearly player survey, asking its expert panel to make predictions ahead of the new season. And after ranking the first 90, the top 10 is where the anticipation lies. Last year, two pillars, LeBron James and Stephen Curry, cracked that list. But the landscape has changed. Both are at the end of their careers, and unprecedented talents are flowing into the league.

Still, experts view them as part of the best 10 players, owing to their production last season. However, with them aging, experts feel the era of them being the two best players has passed. Curry was ranked 6 on ESPN’s list, while the Akron Hammer was right below at seven. So, which are the six players chosen ahead of them?

ESPN’s panel continues to believe that three-time MVP Nikola Jokic retains his crown as the world’s best player. The MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, came second, followed by James’ teammate Luka Doncic. They rounded up the top six with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Edwards, respectively.

The top four on the list remain unchanged from last season, albeit in a different order. The two new entrants, Ant-Man and Wemby, are carrying a lot of promise this season. Notably, Edwards has sealed his place as a winning cornerstone, guiding the Timberwolves to a second consecutive conference finals last season. He raised the bar himself, professing, “Nobody’s gonna work harder than me this summer,” after losing to the Thunder.

On the other hand, Victor Wembanyama was forced to cut his season short due to a blood clot in his shoulder. Prior to it, the 7’4” Spurs center was on freakish trajectory, averaging 24.3 points and 3.8 blocks per season. Since then, he’s gone through a rigorous offseason, going bald to eliminate all distractions.

Even as a base expectation, Wembanyama is touted to take his first DPOY honor this season. But the ceiling is far higher for the 21-year-old. Largely, that’s the primary reason LeBron James and Stephen Curry dropped down gradually in rank. Their best years are behind of them, and now the day they retire nears.

Could this be the last of the Stephen Curry-LeBron James rivalry

LeBron James will be 41, playing in his 23 season this year. That in itself is unprecedented. But it also means the end is getting closer. He doesn’t try to hide it. “Retirement is coming, it is coming, it’s just not here just yet,” he said in a recent interview. Of course, James wasn’t clear about when the day would be. But it could be this season for all anyone knows.

What points to that possibility? LeBron James opted into his $52 million player option with the Lakers. Essentially, if he chooses to, the Akron Hammer could hang the sneakers up this season. But judging from his activity and preparation, the four-time MVP doesn’t look to be a player in his retirement year.

Even now, his offseason routine is just as disciplined. LeBron James wakes up at the crack of dawn and gets a workout in to ensure he is in peak shape for the season. Furthermore, Rich Paul’s statement about his contract decision seemed to clarify that there is more to come.

As for Curry, he is 37, but just like James, his conditioning is unbeaten. Despite the ankle injuries early on in his career, the Baby Face Assassin has extended his prime. And he’s proud of his longevity, which doesn’t see retirement in the near future. Hence, one of basketball’s most enticing rivalries still has a few years left in it.

But it’s crucial to enjoy it while it lasts. Today, the two juggernauts are falling in rankings. Soon, they won’t even feature on the list. So whatever they have left in them, both Curry and LeBron James are looking to make the most out of it, and so should the fanbase.