The NBA seems to be in a renaissance of amazing young talent. There’s Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, just to name a few.
With older stars such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and James Harden near the end of their primes and getting closer to their mid-thirties, who will be the next face of the league?
7 stars most likely to be the next face of the NBA
Will it be reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, sensational rookie Evan Mobley, or is it someone who’s not even in the league yet? Let’s break down some of the top candidates of players who have a chance to become the next face of the NBA.
Being the face of the league involves a lot of factors. First, a player must be dominant, helping lead their team to title contention year in and year out. Second, they must be both likable and marketable, with people flocking to stores to buy their jerseys.
Third, they should be really good with the media, resonating with people on a personal level. And lastly, they need to have the potential to be a global phenomenon – comparable to the likes of Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Without further ado, here are some players currently in the league who have a chance to be the next face of the NBA.
Honorable Mentions: Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)
7 stars most likely to be the next face of the NBA: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Coming into the NBA out of Oklahoma, Trae Young was the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Dallas Mavericks but traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Luka Doncic the same day.
They will forever be linked to each other, and Young has done nothing to disappoint the Hawks’ decision. He struggled initially coming into the league, but as he’s gotten more comfortable, he’s become one of the most dangerous scorers and playmakers in the Association.
Young has been amongst the league leaders in assists since his arrival, averaging 9.0 assists per game throughout his career thus far. And he’s done so while also being a dangerous three-level scorer from scoring in the paint, mid-range, and the three-point arc.
The young point guard is a cold-blooded killer and showed that during the Hawks’ amazing run to the Eastern Conference Finals. It was an epic run where he hushed the crowd at Madison Square Garden and took down Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Atlanta eventually lost to the eventual champions in Giannis Antetokounpmo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The talk on Young prior to last year’s playoff run was that he was a star player who got empty stats and couldn’t help his team win. But if last year’s playoffs were any indication of what he’s capable of, the Hawks should be in contention for years to come.
Young is averaging 27.8 points this season (6th in the league), and 26.9 for his career. He’s not without his warts though, as he is basically known as the worst defender in the league.
But regardless, Young a mesmerizing offensive talent and already has one of the coolest nicknames in the NBA- “Ice Trae.”
7 stars most likely to be the next face of the NBA: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Flamboyant, unique, flashy, and confident – that is how one would describe Charlotte Hornets sophomore star guard LaMelo Ball. He’s been a social media star since he was 13 years old, playing alongside his older brothers LiAngelo Ball and Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball. His father, Lavar Ball, told us he would become the best of the brothers years ago, and LaMelo has done nothing to disappoint.
Ball came into the NBA with a lot of fanfare and averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 51 games of action his rookie season, good enough to earn him the Rookie of the Year award.
He has instantly changed the culture in Charlotte since he (3rd overall pick in 2020) and has made the Hornets must-watch TV with his flashy passes and deep shot-making ability. Plus, his 6-7 stature makes him even harder to guard at the point guard position.
The youngster has improved his points per game (19.7), assists (7.3), and rebounds (6.9) this year, while also being selected to his first All-Star selection. He is the fourth-youngest player to ever get selected to the game (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson).
At the time of writing this, the Hornets are ninth in the East and will be in the play-in tournament for the second year in a row. Ball will need to help the Hornets find more success and become a better defender and scorer in order to become the face of the NBA.
That being said, he has everything you want in a potential torchbearer of the league, from the media presence, to the game, to the way young kids love watching him.
7 stars most likely to be the next face of the NBA: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Oh, Zion Williamson – the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James back in 2003.
He was selected as the first overall pick in 2019 after a dominant, historic season at Duke. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued Williamson’s career thus far, as he’s played in just 85 games through his first three seasons in the NBA. He’s been dealing with knee and foot injuries, causing people to start comparing him to Greg Oden – the man picked ahead of Kevin Durant back in 2007. Ouch!
But, when Williamson is on the court, he’s a one-man wrecking crew. He proved this in 61 games last season where he averaged 27 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Plus, he did all that while shooting over 61 percent from the field.
Coming into the league Williamson was hailed as next in line. But thus far, injuries have slowed his progress to that lofty title. There have been lots of reports stating that Williamson wants out of New Orleans, which could pose to be an early problem in his career.
However, if Williamson can stay healthy, shed some weight, and get back into some semblance of his Duke days, then he definitely has a chance to become the player everyone expected him to be upon arrival.
Will the addition of CJ McCollum, and the Pelicans’ improvements since his arrival, be enough to encourage Williamson to stay? We will have to wait and see.
7 stars most likely to be the next face of the NBA: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Brash, loud, and electric is how one would describe ascending Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. He has reached superstar status this season, improving his production across from the board.
The third-year guard is averaging 27.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists. and 1.2 steals while shooting almost 50 percent from the field. His rise in production has led to more team success this season, too, as the Grizzlies are among the top three teams in the Western Conference.
Morant made his first All-Star Game this season as a starter, and should easily be an All-NBA First Team selection. He has had some of the most exhilarating performances of the season, whether it be his 52-point game against the San Antonio Spurs at home (where he had a nasty dunk on Spurs center Jakob Poeltl) or his 46-point game against the Chicago Bulls (where he pulled off a 360 layup on Bulls guard DeMar Derozan).
He has all the ingredients to be the next face of the NBA because of his fascinating style of play, the swag he brings on the court, the jaw-dropping highlights, and most importantly, the ability to his team win. As long as Morant stays healthy, be prepared for a decade-plus of thrilling highlights.
7 stars most likely to be the next face of the NBA: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
He’s only 19! A hysterical statement that has followed his career since he dunked on LeBron in Game 7 of the 2018 East Finals as a rookie. Since his rookie season, Jayson Tatum has been to two Eastern Conference Finals, coming up just short of a Finals berth in both 2018 and 2020 He’s also a three-time All-Star and an All-NBA player – something he will likely also be this season.
Tatum is a great two-way player who has improved every year he’s been in the league. But the last two seasons have statistically been his best, with him averaging over 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in both of them. He’s had five 50-point games in his career (four in the regular season and one in the playoffs), which ties him with Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird.
He even dropped 50 in a Game 3 victory against the Brooklyn Nets’ former Big 3 of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving last postseason, showing he’s meant for the bright lights of TD Garden. Tatum has the total package offensively and is a solid defender.
If he can continue to elevate his playmaking ability and become a more efficient scorer, he could easily become the face of the Association. It doesn’t hurt he plays for one of the greatest franchises in sports history as well.
7 stars most likely to be the next face of the NBA: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
“Luka Legend” has been nothing short of extraordinary for the Mavericks since his arrival in 2018. He has averaged over 27 points per game since his sophomore season, and he even averaged over 21 as a rookie! His career averages so far are 26.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game.
Luka Doncic has proven worthy of the lofty hype that surrounded him coming into the league by also showing off his abilities in the postseason. He has averaged over 30 points per game over the course of two series against the LA Clippers – a that has two of the best perimeter defenders in the league in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
His playoff career averages are an eye-rubbing 33.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game on almost 50 percent shooting from the field. He is “Luka Magic” and he has done nothing but exceed the expectations put on him after winning EuroLeague MVP as a young prodigy.
Doncic has the respect of his peers media pundits alike, but for him to be the best player in the league, he must stop coming into the season out of shape, as he has done the last two seasons.
He needs to get out of the first round, as he has failed to do so in two postseason appearances. Regardless, “The Don” is easily the best player under 25 in the NBA right now and is a top 10 player in the league. The only way is up for him.
7 stars most likely to be the next face of the NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
The fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo, “The Greek Freak,” is being questioned as the the next face of the NBA is disrespectful. For some reason, the media always fails to give him the respect and flowers he deserves.
This guy is only 27 years old, he’s in the prime of his career, and is having another fantastic season. He’s is averaging over 29 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and notching roughly a steal and a block per game, all while recording a 32.4 Player Efficiency Rating (PER).
He’s the anchor of his team’s defense, has improved his jumper, is an athletic marvel, a monster in the paint, doesn’t whine about calls, and never cheats you on effort night in and night out. What else could you ask for in your franchise player and potential torchbearer once LeBron James is gone?
At only 27 years of age, Antetokounmpo is an NBA Champion, a Finals MVP, a 2x MVP (2019-2020), a DPOY (2020), a six-time All-Star, a four-time All-Defense player, has five All-NBA selections, won Most Improved (2017), and has an All-Star Game MVP (2021).
Name any other young player who affects the game on both ends as Anteotkounmpo does, who is also a champion and Defensive Player of the Year? None. Not even Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid can make that claim.
He is one of three players in NBA history to ever win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season (Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon). Talk about legendary company.
As this is being written, the Milwaukee Bucks currently sit at second in the Eastern Conference, just behind the Miami Heat. With Antetokounmpo leading the way on both ends, there’s no reason they can’t repeat as champions. And there’s no reason why he’s shouldn’t be the odds-on favorite to be the next face of the league.