3) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Perhaps the least offensive—from a detractor standpoint—player in the league, there is nothing not to like about OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. From his two-way ability to his infectious personality, SGA leads one of the most talented and likable squads in the NBA.
SGA entered himself in the perennial MVP conversation two years ago and improved yet again last season, leading the Thunder to the top seed in the loaded Western Conference after finishing the previous season as the tenth seed. For a time there were questions about his production being of the empty calorie variety. After last season, that thought is completely unwarranted as he has successfully proven himself and now only needs to do so in terms of team postseason success.
At 26 years old, Gilgeous-Alexander is the oldest player on this list, which arguably limits his potential to further improve, which would increase his odds of becoming the face of the league, but he's continually improved in each season.
It's also important to consider that Steph Curry, the face of the league if not for LeBron, did not truly become an icon until his age 26 season. That's not the bar, of course, as Curry is a top 20 player in NBA history, but it does show that not every player finds true greatness in their first few seasons in the league.
SGA has a long career ahead of him and he is already the face of a franchise with one of the brightest futures in the NBA. If he can find it within himself to improve once again, Gilgeous-Alexander may not just have an MVP trophy and a Larry O'Brien trophy in his future, but a chance to truly take over the league.