Ranking 10 Best Young Cores In NBA Ahead Of 2025-26 Season

The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a showcase not just of star power, but of dynasties built from youth and patience. Across the league, franchises are building around homegrown players and focusing on the long-term growth of their young cores. 

From the juggernaut now rising in Oklahoma City, anchored by young All-Stars and a front office fixated on sustained success, to the Spurs assembling around generational center Victor Wembanyama, the league's trend has changed. 

That's why we are aiming to provide the 10 best young cores in the NBA, and it will certainly raise enough eyebrows about what's to come. By young, we are referring to the NBA core that has each player at a maximum of 27 years old.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Young Core: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27), Jalen Williams (24), Chet Holmgren (23), Luguentz Dort (25), Cason Wallace (21)

As the 2024-25 season closed, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged not just as the Thunder’s leading scorer but as the league’s Most Valuable Player and Finals MVP, sparking an offensive masterclass that powered OKC to its first championship since relocating. Still just 27, SGA blends poise, scoring versatility, and clutch composure in a manner that usurps his youth.

Next to him are two rising stars now locked into generational contracts: 24-year-old Jalen Williams, whose breakout playoff performance (23.6 points, 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists) earned him both All-Star and All-NBA recognition, and 23-year-old Chet Holmgren, a defensive marvel who overcame injury to key the interior with shot-blocking and rebounding. 

With all three under long-term deals, this trio forms one of the youngest and most stable championship cores in NBA history, built for sustained success. We also have to add in All-Defensive Team member Luguentz Dort and budding two-way guard Cason Wallace, two players who will accompany the stars moving forward.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Young Core: Victor Wembanyama (21), De'Aaron Fox (27), Dylan Harper (19), Stephon Castle (20), Devin Vassell (24), Jeremy Sochan (22)

San Antonio’s blueprint hinges on the transcendent potential of Victor Wembanyama, already a generational talent at just 21. With his rare combination of length, mobility, and skill, he's swiftly becoming the NBA's most intriguing young star, a player who could one day capture multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards and possibly an MVP trophy (or two).

Paired with De'Aaron Fox, a 27-year-old veteran impact scorer and facilitator, the Spurs blend youthful upside with seasoned reliability, an uncommon mix in today’s youth-first narrative. Fox just cracks the list since he is under 28 years old and is just entering his prime years. 

Rounding out the core are three youthful up-and-comers: Dylan Harper (19), one of the contenders for 2026 Rookie of the Year, whose steady shooting and defensive instincts suggest a quiet long-term star; Stephon Castle (20), a lockdown wing and two-way disruptor who won Rookie of the Year in 2025; and Devin Vassell (24), the wing glue guy who quietly anchors rotations with his versatility. 

Throw in Jeremy Sochan (22), a forward with game-changing instincts and ferocity, and this is a nucleus not just built on upside, but also rugged identity. They might not all peak together, but the Spurs' core is built for a championship in just five years at the most. 

3. Orlando Magic

Young Core: Paolo Banchero (22), Franz Wagner (23), Jalen Suggs (24), Desmond Bane (27), Jase Richardson (19)

Former Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero parlayed his rising form into an All-Star nod and a blockbuster midseason extension; his franchise wrapped confidently around his burgeoning identity as a primary scorer. Despite a midseason oblique injury, he still delivered averages of 25.9 points and 7.5 boards, ramping up after the All-Star break with some of the league’s most efficient scoring.

Supporting him is a dynamic duo: Franz Wagner, whose versatile wing game earned him a super-max extension after career highs in points, rebounds, and assists, and Jalen Suggs, whose lockdown defense, highlighted by his All-Defense second-team honors, has quietly become Orlando’s backbone. 

While the trio’s cohesion has been tested by injuries (they’ve logged surprisingly few minutes together this season), their playoff performance, where all three scored 20+ in elimination games, hinted at the ceiling this core could reach when healthy. Of course, the recent addition of Desmond Bane and the selection of Jase Richardson mean the Magic are going all-in for youth and talent.

4. Houston Rockets

Young Core: Amen Thompson (22), Alperen Sengun (23), Jabari Smith Jr. (22), Tari Eason (24), Reed Sheppard (21)

Houston’s core is bristling with high-upside wings and stretch-forward versatility. Amen Thompson (22) satisfies every scout’s dream: a ball-handler with generational athleticism and defensive DNA, already earning All-Defensive First Team recognition. Alperen Sengun (23) has evolved into a craft-heavy pivot, anchoring the paint with solid passing and surprising offensive polish as a first-time All-Star. 

Meanwhile, Jabari Smith Jr. (22) mixes length with shooting potential, and Tari Eason (24) provides gritty energy, hustle, and perimeter defense. This young nucleus was supercharged this offseason by adding Kevin Durant, a move that shifts the Rockets from hopeful project to legitimate threat. 

Their collection of multifaceted forwards blends athleticism and shooting like few teams, while Durant's scoring and experience elevate them into contender territory overnight. Houston’s core isn’t just promising, it’s calibrated for explosive growth and positional versatility fronted by a Hall-of-Fame wing.

5. Los Angeles Lakers

Young Core: Luka Doncic (26), Austin Reaves (27), Deandre Ayton (27), Rui Hachimura (27), Dalton Knecht (24)

This one’s a bit of an anomaly. The Los Angeles Lakers' young core centers around Luka Doncic (26), a dazzling ball-handler and triple-double threat comparable with the modern greats. Alongside him, Austin Reaves (27) has become a cult mainstay thanks to his underrated scoring, gritty defense, and late-game composure.

Deandre Ayton (27) supplies rim-running offense and pick-and-roll muscle, Rui Hachimura has yet to hit his prime, while Dalton Knecht (24), a youngster with shooting pedigree, injects intrigue. Though not youthful by league standards, this group fits around elite star power in Doncic, complementary floor spacing, and positional flexibility. 

The question for L.A. is whether this core can synthesize into a sustained title threat, or if it's a stopgap tethered to veteran contingency. Of course, that also depends on how The King, LeBron James, continues to suit up in Purple and Gold.

6. Detroit Pistons

Young Core: Cade Cunningham (23), Jaden Ivey (23), Ausar Thompson (22), Jalen Duren (21)

The Pistons' young core is the definition of kinetic youth; we’re talking Cade Cunningham (23), a transcendent floor general whose All-NBA Third Team inclusion and MVP chatter this season reflect his evolution from No. 1 pick to franchise cornerstone. Cunningham’s 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game last season not only revitalized Motor City’s culture but also transformed it.

Supporting him, Jaden Ivey (23) flashed dynamic scoring before a season-ending injury, averaging an efficient 17.6 PTS on 41% from three. Ausar Thompson (22) returns from adversity stronger; his two-way potential is hard to ignore. 

And Jalen Duren (21) has become an elite pick-and-roll finisher, grabbing double-doubles consistently with rim protection upside. This quartet, under Coach Bickerstaff’s transformative structure, turned playoff pain into optimism. Detroit’s resurgence might just be beginning.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers

Young Core: Darius Garland (25), Evan Mobley (24), Jarrett Allen (27), De'Andre Hunter (27)

The Cleveland Cavaliers' core is grounded in two elite building blocks: Darius Garland (25), an All-NBA caliber playmaker with slick scoring creation, and Evan Mobley (24), last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, whose length and instincts make him among the league’s most disruptive defenders.

Rounding out the group are Jarrett Allen (27), a reliable rim protector and roll-man, and De’Andre Hunter (27), who brings 3-and-D wing stability. Their core combines guardianship (Mobley, Allen) with offense and spacing (Garland, Hunter), a maturity that’s already vaulted them into playoff relevance. 

They may not be youthful in age alone, but they’re young in their cohesion and upside. Of course, Donovan Mitchell is the star of the team right now, but at nearly 29 years old, he doesn't fit into the long-term young core. 

8. Minnesota Timberwolves

Young Core: Anthony Edwards (24), Jaden McDaniels (24), Naz Reid (25), Rob Dillingham (20)

The Timberwolves ride a youthful wave powered by Anthony Edwards (24), whose explosive scoring and charisma have turned him into the league’s most electrifying young star and the potential face of the league. Jaden McDaniels (24) has quietly delivered two-way reliability as a lengthy forward, while Naz Reid (25) adds frontcourt versatility and scoring touch.

Add emerging guard Rob Dillingham (20), a sparkplug scorer still refining his all-around game, and the Wolves' core feels like a rising force. Edwards provides the headline-making talent; McDaniels and Reid bring positional yin-yang; Dillingham offers future intrigue. If they mesh, Minnesota could be built for a consistent offensive punch with defensive switching versatility.

9. Memphis Grizzlies

Young Core: Ja Morant (26), Jaren Jackson Jr. (25), Jaylen Wells (21), Zach Edey (23), GG Jackson II (20), Santi Aldama (24), Scotty Pippen Jr. (24)

The Grizzlies are still structurally anchored by Ja Morant (26) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (25): a dual All-Star duo offering highlight-scoring and switchable defense. Their pairing has been the backbone of multiple 50-win campaigns, although last season was a difficult one due to Morant's lack of health.

Beyond them, Jaylen Wells (21), Zach Edey (23), GG Jackson II (20), Santi Aldama (24), and Scotty Pippen Jr. (24) populate a long, flexible cast, underscored by Memphis’ willingness to recalibrate around its proven core. The tension between youth and proven star power shapes their identity: one strong veteran duo supported by exploratory depth that could blossom, or get traded, in the quest for tangible contention.

10. Atlanta Hawks

Young Core: Trae Young (26), Dyson Daniels (22), Jalen Johnson (23), Zaccharie Risacher (20), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (26)

Atlanta centers its narrative on Trae Young (26), a transcendent creator with ice-water in his veins, and Dyson Daniels (22), last season’s Most Improved Player and defensive engine in a youthful body. Complementing them is Jalen Johnson (23), a forward with length and two-way upside, alongside international prospects Zaccharie Risacher (20) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (26). 

Risacher’s inclusion with an NBA All-Rookie First Team nod underscores his promise. The Hawks’ core fuses flair and rising defense, likening them to a high-risk, high-upside engine still finding its offensive balance.