🏀 5x5 | Royce Webb

🏀 5x5 | Royce Webb

The New Era, According to Advanced Stats: Jokić’s Age Is Over and Luka Dončić Is Finally Living Up to the Hype

The NBA’s new generation is here, and impact numbers say who’s leading it — from Cade’s Pistons to Cooper Flagg

Jeremias Engelmann's avatar
Jeremias Engelmann
Nov 06, 2026
∙ Paid
The future appears brilliant for two former No. 1 picks — and several other emerging stars. (Gunnar Word/Getty Images)


While it’s early, we’re getting strong signals that some elite players are past their peak.

At the same time, several young up-and-coming stars appear ready to take over.

Here’s what advanced stats have to say about a number of players and teams on the move — from rising NBA superstars to a team still very underrated.

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Jeremias Engelmann's avatar
A guest post by
Jeremias Engelmann
Basketball analyst. Creator of ESPN's Real Plus-Minus. Formerly with the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks
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