Crazy as it seems, LeBron James has been the face of the NBA since before the inception of the smartphone. All the way back in 2003—when phones flipped and shorts were baggy—LeBron made his NBA debut and he’s been the driving force behind the NBA’s popularity ever since.
That said, he is only human and sometime in the next few years he will ultimately ride off into the sunset. Let’s take a look at 10 NBA stars who could be the face of the NBA once the King vacates the throne.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis’s Antetokounmpo has been one of—if not the—number one contender for leading the charge in the NBA for years now. Not only is he one of the most dominant players that the game has seen in recent years, he also has an unbelievable rags-to-riches story. His journey started in the streets of Athens, where he and his brothers sold nick-nacks and now he is a two-time MVP and has a finals MVP to boost.
Giannis was a superstar in the 2021 NBA Finals, where he scored 50 points in a closeout game to win the Milwaukee Bucks their first championship in 50 years. That performance epitomizes his on-court dominance and cemented the narrative of him being an all-time great player in the minds of many fans, which, let’s face it is something that we all look for when evaluating “face of the league” material.
Off the court, Giannis has all of the personality to lead the NBA for years to come. He is charming, funny, and has a stunning degree of humility and warmth that fans love. When you consider his talent, personality, and international roots, he has all the makings of a global icon poised to take over after LeBron retires.
Luka Dončić
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
There are few players in the NBA that impact their team in the way that Luka does. Since being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić has shattered records, including being the fastest player to a triple-double with 30 points and has been putting up monster numbers left, right, and center—making him a fan favorite, not just in Dallas, but across the league. After all, he does have one of the highest usage rates we’ve seen in recent years, floating right around 36% for this season.
His game has an almost mythical quality to it, as it is eerily reminiscent of past legends like Magic Johnson. Luka possesses a rare blend of scoring, playmaking, and court vision. Dončić’s European heritage adds to his international marketability, positioning him as a potential global ambassador for the NBA and an easy choice to be the face of the league.
Ja Morant
While it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Ja Morant over the past couple of seasons with his off-the-court issues, there is no denying that the Memphis star has been electrifying the league with his jaw-dropping athleticism and highlight-reel dunks ever since his rookie year.
Plus, Ja knows how to bring it when the pressure is cranked up. In the 2021 playoffs, he scored 47 points against the Utah Jazz, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level when the stakes are at their highest. His fearless approach and captivating play style have made the Memphis Grizzlies must-watch TV and positioned Morant as a future contender to be front and center in the NBA’s global strategy. You know… as long as he can get his act together off of the court!
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum has quietly emerged as a franchise cornerstone for the storied Boston Celtics. His breakout performance came quite a few years ago now in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, when as a rookie, he balled out and really set the stage for his ascent into stardom.
From a physical standpoint, there is nothing that Jayson Tatum can’t do. His game includes deep threes, a smooth mid-ranger, the ability to get to the basket at will and elite defensive prowess, especially for a star of his caliber on the offensive side.
Tatum led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier talents. Once he finally gets the C’s over the hump and secures a championship, there will be no doubt about where he stands in the NBA hierarchy.
Zion Williamson
This is a little bit of a controversial one because Zion Williamson hasn’t exactly been the model of consistency since joining the NBA… But if he can get back on the straight and narrow, there is no limit to what he can accomplish. Think back to his NBA debut, where he scored 22 points in under 20 minutes, highlighting his unique blend of power and athleticism. Williamson is truly one of the most electric players to watch despite all of the injuries.
He just needs to take the flashes of dominance that he’s shown and turn them into a more sustainable game. As he returns to full health, Zion’s marketability and highlight-worthy play keep him in the conversation as a future face of the NBA.
Anthony Edwards
Ant-Man, as he is affectionally known, has been on a rapid ascension in terms of popularity over the past couple of seasons. He started off his career as a walking highlight reel, with plays that captured the league’s attention like his monstrous dunk over Yuta Watanabe, a moment that went viral, but he has really developed into an all-around great player.
His ability to score from anywhere on the court, combined with a magnetic personality, makes him a candidate to be a leading figure in the NBA’s next generation post-LeBron.
LaMelo Ball
If there is one thing that the Ball family knows it is how to market themselves! And to his credit, Ball’s rookie season was special. Sure, it was punctuated by flashy passes and scoring outbursts, but it was the depth of his game that earned him Rookie of the Year honors.
His playmaking ability and vibrant personality have not only turned the Charlotte Hornets into a team to watch but also made Ball a fan favorite across the globe—and him a serious contender to take over in a post-LeBron NBA.
Trae Young
While he still gets flak for being the other half of the Luca trade, Trae Young is quietly becoming a superstar in his own right. Young is known for his nearly unlimited three-point shooting range and clutch-time performances. He first started carving his path to stardom with the Hawks, when he led Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, a run that included a memorable game-winner against the New York Knicks.
His flair for the dramatic and boisterous personality makes him a leading candidate to be the central figure in the league’s narrative going forward.
Devin Booker
In a league that is filled with big personalities, there may be no cooler cat than Devin Booker. He has all the swagger of a bonafide superstar and the game on the court to match it. Booker’s 70-point game against the Boston Celtics showcased his scoring prowess, but it was his performance in leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals—and the fact that he had them a game away from winning it all—that cemented his status.
His cool demeanor under pressure and ability to hit big shots have drawn comparisons to some of the league’s all-time great scorers and should bode well for him to become the face of the league once LeBron hangs them up.
Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley may be a little bit of a dark horse considering his relative inexperience, but the Cavaliers center has really been turning some heads. During his rookie year, Mobley demonstrated a rare blend of defensive versatility and enough flashes of offensive potential to finish as a runner-up for Rookie of the Year.
He has been one of the most exciting young players to watch develop since the aforementioned 2021 campaign. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, combined with his growth potential, makes him a prime candidate to be a driving force for the NBA’s popularity in the next few years.
