Over the past few years in the NBA, we have seen the gradual decline of the stars that have dominated the league for well over a decade. The legendary trio of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant haven’t appeared in an NBA Finals matchup in over 3 years. The last major team success any of them had was in 2023 when James’ Lakers made a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals.
This has left a void at the top of the league’s food chain. Giannis Antetokounmpo looked set to claim the title after leading his Bucks to championship glory in 2021; however, he has not won a playoff series since, as the Bucks have not built him a capable roster. The most dominant player during this period, Nikola Jokic, lacks the charisma and love for basketball to lead the league commercially. So, as the careers of some all-time greats slowly fade into the distance, who is the current face of the NBA?
Who Is The Current Face Of The NBA?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most accomplished superstar on this list; he’s the only one to have lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy. By leading his Oklahoma City Thunder team to victory last season, he became one of only 8 active players to hold an NBA Finals MVP award. The Canadian is also the only player on this list to win a regular-season MVP award and is well in place to win a second at the conclusion of this season. Taking that all in, the 27-year-old seems an obvious pick for the face of the NBA moniker; however, there is more to the story.
For several reasons, Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t exactly popular among NBA fans. His and the Thunder’s dominance last season led to his being portrayed as the pantomime villain in the playoffs, especially in the Finals against the gritty Indiana Pacers. His rival in that matchup, Tyrese Haliburton, would be on this list but for an Achilles’ tear suffered in Game 7 that has forced him to miss all of this season. Shai is also targeted for alleged foul-baiting, and fans constantly share clips of him fooling referees. These claims are sometimes exaggerated, but have hurt the point guard’s reputation in the eyes of the average fan.
Overall, Gilgeous-Alexander has a great case to be the face of the league, and another NBA championship this year may see him finally get the respect he deserves. Success is hard to argue with, and the Thunder and their superstar point guard are set up for plenty more of it.
Luka Doncic
The trade that sent shockwaves through the NBA just over a year ago may have actually helped Luka Doncic‘s case to become the face of the NBA. Being sent to LA means that even if his Lakers team is struggling, he’ll still be in the headlines. For example, the Lakers are having a pretty average season and clearly have many roster flaws, yet are still talked about as potential dark horses for the NBA title on ESPN. This sort of spotlight is perfect for a potential face of the league and will grow even further if Doncic can somehow contend with this roster.
Doncic isn’t a perfect candidate, either, however. He has made just one NBA finals and hasn’t come close to winning an MVP despite consistently averaging over 30 points a game. With the new 65-game limit on awards, the 26-year-old can only miss 5 more games to qualify for regular-season awards. Another season, empty-handed award-wise severely damages the Slovenian’s claim to be the Face of the NBA.
Another issue undermining Luka’s case is his lack of effort during the All-Star Game. He played just 5 minutes as other stars made their case to lead the NBA into the future. The Lakers’ guard may have been carrying an injury, but the league needs to see more from its face during its showcase game. If Doncic wants to be the face of the NBA, he needs to start acting like it.
Anthony Edwards
After winning the NBA All-Star MVP, no one’s stock is higher right now than Anthony Edwards. The 24-year-old is the new face of USA basketball and will defend America’s pride against its emerging competitors over the next decade. However, can he also beat his international rivals and become the face of the NBA?
‘Ant-Man’ doesn’t yet have the accolades of the first two names mentioned on this list, but he has made a name for himself in the playoffs in recent years. Edwards has taken on the role of mid-2000s Randy Orton and become a legend-killer on the NBA’s biggest stage. He has playoff victories over Durant, Curry, and James, and has partnered with all three to win the 2024 Olympics.
His lack of media training has also made him popular among NBA fans. Every press conference with the brash superstar produces a viral clip or soundbite, and his on-court style matches the assertive personality Edwards has become known for. The 24-year-old has yet to win anything with the Timberwolves, but two straight conference finals appearances show that the potential for great team success is definitely there. The ‘Ant-Man’ is an MVP or a championship away from being the face of the league for years to come.
Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama‘s potential to become the face of the NBA was evident before he’d even set foot on an American basketball court. The French prospect’s length, height, and quickness had scouts salivating over his potential. The 22-year-old landed in the perfect place with the San Antonio Spurs, and over his first few years in the league has already shown his limitless abilities.
The Spurs look like real contenders in just Wemby’s third season and have already beaten the champions, Oklahoma City, four times. The only thing stopping the 22-year-old from being the face of the NBA right now is his lack of experience and, therefore, achievements. Unlike Doncic, Wembanyama shows up and performs in All-Star games. He looked visibly frustrated with his team when they couldn’t close out either of their short games in this year’s event.
He may not be the current face of the league, but the Spurs superstar definitely has the best shot at leading the league convincingly over the next 5 years. This is Wemby’s league now, and everyone else is just a player whose shot will eventually be swatted away by the man they call The Alien.