2016-17 NBA preseason player rankings: The top 5

As part of our 2016-17 season preview, theScore's seven NBA editors each ranked their top-30 players heading into the new year. Here are the results of that collaboration.

Related: 30-21, 20-11, 10-6

5. Kawhi Leonard

With the entire league focusing their energy on Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors last year, Kawhi Leonard quietly put together his best season as a pro, finishing as the runner-up in MVP voting, and collecting his second straight DPOY award.

While Leonard's offensive game isn't nearly as complete as the rest of the players on this list, San Antonio has found a way to capitalize on his strengths, with the 25-year-old finishing third in three-point shooting (44.3 percent) and seventh in offensive win shares (8.3) in 2015-16.

Fun fact: Only four players in the entire league averaged greater than 21 points and shot 50 percent or greater last season - Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard.

4. Russell Westbrook

While his detractors will bring up the fact that he's too turnover-prone and isn't reliable enough on defense to be considered one of the game's elite, Russell Westbrook's strengths as a player outweigh his weaknesses by a wide margin.

The 6-foot-3 spark plug has averaged 25.8 points, 9.5 assists, and 7.6 rebounds over the last two seasons, while also collecting a league-leading 29 triple-doubles over that span.

With Kevin Durant in the Bay Area, Westbrook could realistically put up one of the greatest individual seasons that we've ever seen.

3. Kevin Durant

After a fractured foot kept him out of the majority of the 2014-15 season, some wondered if the lanky forward had already reached his peak as a player.

The former MVP responded with one of his best seasons as a pro, finishing second in PER (28.2), second in true shooting percentage (.634), second in offensive win shares (11.0), and third in points per game (28.2).

While Durant's per game numbers will almost certainly take a hit in Golden State, he's likely to be more efficient in the Warriors' offense, and could find a way to snatch a few MVP votes from his new teammate.

2. Stephen Curry

Steph Curry may be known as the greatest shooter in basketball, but his game is much more complete than he often gets credit for.

The two-time MVP ranks as one of the league's best passers, best ball-handlers, and has turned himself into a capable defender, finishing first in steals per game, and sixth among point guards in ESPN's Defensive Real Plus-Minus.

The 27-year-old has faced more than his fair share of criticism after his disappointing performance in last year's Finals, but should have no problem shutting up his doubters with another outstanding regular-season campaign.

1. LeBron James

LeBron's decision to take it easy during the past two regular seasons has hurt his MVP chances, but one would be foolish to argue that the kid from Akron isn't the best player in the game today.

His run in this year's postseason ranks as maybe the best playoff performance ever, and has accelerated his ascension up the list of all-time greats.

After becoming the first player in history to lead the Finals in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, the three-time champion officially put to rest any reasonable debate of who the best player in the Association is.