Throughout the 2024 Olympic Games, it was clearly shown that LeBron James, at 39 years of age, is still somehow LeBron James. Despite this, the truth remains that Father Time is undefeated, even if he can be delayed.
There will come a day when LeBron James is no longer the guy who can take over the game with the flip of a switch when he is no longer the face of the NBA. The question is, who will take over as the next face of the league?
That title is historically volatile aside from dominant eras by Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and of course LeBron James. Some eras have been dominated by rivalries like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell or Magic Johnson and Larry Bird; others have featured a host of players competing for that title like in the early 1980s or the late 90s.
There was a time when it looked like Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo were expected to be the aires, but LeBron's continued success has continued far deeper into their careers than expected. Even Giannis, who is the youngest listed by six years, will turn 30 before the start of the new year.
But what of the next generation? Who of the NBA's best, brightest, and youngest can take the mantle? Is that player already in the league? Or is their arrival soon to come? Another question to ponder is whether, in this era of stardom, a player is even capable of being the face of the league anymore.
If there were to be a player capable of replacing LeBron James as the next face of the NBA, here are five candidates.