Top 5 NBA Players Without a Ring

For a long time, the best player in the NBA to not win a championship was LeBron James. Now that he's finally done so, who's the next big star still looking for that ring?

There are a couple of players to choose from, some because they're too good not to have won yet, and some because of the big names they have.

Whatever the reason may be, these five players are next in line starting this season, in search of that elusive first title.

Here's who they are...

Steve Nash

Seasons: 16

Teams: Suns, Mavericks

Current Team: Lakers

It's hard to believe that Steve Nash hasn't won an NBA title in 16 years. He's one of the greatest point guards of all time, and he's made so many players into who they are now. The biggest name perhaps being Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire.

Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to get past the conference finals so far. He played for years with the Phoenix Suns, and in his second stint with the team from 2004 to 2012, came so close so many times.

Whether it was the San Antonio Spurs or the Los Angeles Lakers, Nash just couldn't get to the finals. Even with a great team around him under coach Mike D'Antoni in an uptempo offense, it wasn't good enough.

Now, Nash will try desperately to win in his final seasons, joining the Lakers.

With the news Saturday night that the Oklahoma City Thunder traded James Harden to the Houston Rockets (h/t ESPN.com), the Lakers might be the favorites to at least get to the finals.

The question for Nash and Co. will be: Will they be able to get by the Big Three in Miami?

Derrick Rose

Seasons: 4

Teams: Bulls

Current Team: Bulls

Unlike Steve Nash, Derrick Rose has only played for four seasons with the Chicago Bulls. In those seasons, he's become the team's best player since Michael Jordan.

He's the type of point guard that can lift a team for an entire season with his incredible athleticism and intense style.

The Bulls, however, have had back-to-back playoff disappointments. In 2011, the team stunningly won 62 games and the top seed in the East over the Miami Heat. Even with home court in the Eastern finals, Chicago bowed out to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Last season, the Bulls were shocked in the first round. As the top seed once again, they lost to the eighth-seeded 76ers after Rose tore his ACL.

The bottom line with any top team in the East is this: As long as the Big Three are playing together in South Beach, it'll be awfully hard to get by them. That's what Rose has learned so far.

He's still young enough, though, to get multiple rings.

Chris Paul

Seasons: 7

Teams: Hornets, Clippers

Current Team: Clippers

Chris Paul enters his second season with the Los Angeles Clippers and first non-lockout season with the team. With Paul's arrival to Hollywood, along with Blake Griffin, the Clippers are relevant for the first time ever in L.A.

Paul had some brief chances in his time with New Orleans to make a run. In 2007-08, the Hornets won 56 games but lost in seven to the Spurs in the second round.

He was really the only true star on the team and after continuous playoff failures, demanded a trade.

The Clippers showed how good they could be last season and are going to get even better.

It's hard to imagine them winning a title, though. With the Lakers and Thunder stacked the way they are, the Clippers might be a second-round exit yet again.

Depending on whether Paul remains a Clipper or not for the long term will decide if he'll ever win a championship.

Kevin Durant

Seasons: 5

Teams: Sonics/Thunder

Current Team: Thunder

It's a question that was up for debate and thanks to the 2012 NBA Finals was going to settled. Who's the best player in the NBA right now? LeBron James or Kevin Durant? I think we know the answer. But with LeBron winning his first title, Durant now needs his.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are so young and so talented that they have a huge window of opportunity. Even if takes five more years, logic says Durant will win a championship in OKC.

It doesn't hurt, either, that the Thunder got the finals experience last summer just to get a better feel of things on the biggest stage.

They might have to compete for a while now with the Lakers. Kobe Bryant still has two good years left in him and with the addition of Nash and Dwight Howard, things got tougher for the Thunder.

It still wouldn't be surprising to see Oklahoma City win the title within the next three seasons. Durant might be the closest of any player on this list.

Carmelo Anthony

Seasons: 9

Teams: Nuggets, Knicks

Current Team: Knicks

No, Carmelo Anthony isn't the best player in the NBA. Not by a long shot and definitely not better than Durant. But he's certainly the most controversial star to have not yet won a title. By the way, he plays in New York City.

It's been a really frustrating career so far for Anthony as a professional. He won a national title with Syracuse in the NCAA, but it's been a whirlwind in the NBA.

Whether it's been an issue with handling the ball way too much or run-ins with coaches such as George Karl and Mike D'Antoni, Anthony has had too many distractions. That isn't the best way to go about getting a ring.

Playing in Denver for years, Anthony was the main man. He single-handedly led the Nuggets to the conference finals in 2009 before losing to the Lakers.

This year, he was terrific playing for the U.S. in the Olympics. Now, it's his time.

If he stays healthy, becomes a team player and meshes well with his Knicks teammates, he could get New York its first championship in 40 years.