Who's Really Going to be the Next Face of the NBA?

The next few years are going to feature the retirement of some of the most iconic NBA players of the past few decades.

LeBron James will celebrate birthday No. 40 in December. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will all turn 36 in 2024, and Chris Paul is only two months short of his 39th year. Even if all hang on for a few more seasons, we're going to see a real shift in the faces of the league.

While players in their late 20s-to-early-30s like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid can all stake their claim for now, the league could use another superstar to carry the torch when players like James, Curry and Durant finally retire.

We're looking for someone 25 or younger who's already begun to rack up some major awards and has avoided any major red flags to this point. This player also needs to establish himself as the alpha of his own team first.

For example, while someone like Ja Morant has the talent, his off-court issues leave him off this list for now. Zion Williamson could also join this group, but he is barely ahead of teammate Brandon Ingram as leading scorer on his own team this season.

Here are the top five candidates for the next face of the NBA, along with some honorable mentions who could make a leap toward the title.

LaMelo Ball, PG Charlotte Hornets

Age: 22

Early Awards: All-Star (1x), Rookie of the Year

Ball looked like one of the best young players in the NBA before ankle injuries plagued his past two seasons. Still, it's way too early to give up on a player who won't even turn 23 until August.

Perhaps the most talented passer in the NBA, the 6'7" Ball isn't afraid to toss up lobs from either end of the court and is averaging 7.4 assists over his first four seasons. A gifted scorer as well, Ball has been better than expected from three (37.4 percent for his career) and is averaging a career-high 23.9 points a game this season.

Health is the only thing holding Ball back, as he has the skill and swag to become the face of the league.

Paolo Banchero, F, Orlando Magic

Age: 21

Early Awards: All-Star (1x), Rookie of the Year

It's rare to see someone of Banchero's size (6'10", 250 pounds) move so effortlessly on a basketball court. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2022 draft has used this unique ability to thrive as both a scorer, ball-handler and distributor, doing it all for a Magic team that's already reached 35 wins and could finish as a top-six seed in the East.

After winning Rookie of the Year, all Banchero has done is increase his three-point shooting (36.2 percent up from 29.8 percent) and improve his passing (5.2 assists per game up from 3.7) while making his first All-Star game.

We'd like to see more on the defensive end from Banchero, however, and the Magic are weirdly far better with their star player on the bench (minus-10.1 swing rating, 9th percentile via Cleaning the Glass). He's on the right path to becoming a superstar, but these numbers are a little concerning.

Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Indiana Pacers

Age: 24

Early Awards: All-Star (2x), 2020-21 All-Rookie 1st Team, Leading NBA in assists (11.4 per game)

It took a trade for Haliburton to land a bigger role, although the 6'5" point guard has thrived after joining the Indiana Pacers.

Haliburton is one of the best passers in the NBA today and is currently leading the league with 11.4 assists after finishing second to James Harden a year ago. He's a smart, efficient player who shoots the ball well from all three levels and loves to get teammates involved.

The knock on Haliburton becoming a bigger star may be his lack of scoring. The 24-year-old ranks just 36th overall this season with 21.0 points, with Pascal Siakam taking over as the go-to scorer in Indiana. While being a big-time scorer may not be what the Pacers need from Haliburton, it could hurt his star power case overall.

Age: 25

Early Awards: All-Star (2x), All-NBA (1x), 2018-19 All-Rookie 2nd Team

Argument For

Gilgeous-Alexander has nearly tripled his scoring average from his rookie season. He's all the way up to 31.2 points per game now, second in the NBA. He's an absolute scoring machine who relies more on getting to the basket than chucking up threes—a rarity in today's game.

The 6'6" point guard is simply fun to watch with the basketball. He ranks in the 91.5 percentile as an isolation scorer and leads the NBA in both drives per game (24.1) and points off drives (17.2). This doesn't mean that Gilgeous-Alexander can't shoot, of course, as he's connecting on 39.2 percent of his triples this season.

He's incredibly smooth with the basketball, has improved his passing (career-high 6.5 assists) and leads the NBA in steals per game (2.1) this season. Only Michael Jordan and James Harden have matched Gilgeous-Alexander's current averages for points, assists and steals in a season in NBA history.

Gilgeous-Alexander still has a chance to win MVP this season and has the Thunder just a half-game out of first place in the West.

Argument Against

While he's one of the NBA's best players now, Gilgeous-Alexander was a bit of a late bloomer after being the 11th overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2018.

He didn't make his first All-Star Game until last year (his fifth season in the league) and has been an inconsistent three-point shooter throughout his career (41.8 percent in 2020-21, 30.0 percent in 2021-22).

The 25-year-old was an All-Star starter this season, finished fifth in MVP voting last year and was a member of the All-NBA first team as well. We're all-in on Gilgeous-Alexander now, but he still has work to do to move past players who have accomplished more earlier in their careers.

Age: 22

Early Awards: All-Star (2x), 2020-21 All-Rookie 1st Team

Argument For

Edwards was born to be a star, as his honest and carefree personality would make him the perfect face of the league. There's perhaps no better interview in the league, as Edwards always speaks his mind and doesn't water down his responses.

He's also really, really good at basketball.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Edwards has rewarded the Timberwolves with his two-way play and durability. An All-Star each of the past two seasons, Edwards has surpassed Karl-Anthony Towns as the alpha of the pack by leading the West-leading Timberwolves in scoring (26.3 points per game).

While Edwards may not be as good as players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić right now, it's important to remember that he's still three years younger than some of the game's other "young" stars.

Averaging 28.1 points per game over his first 11 postseason contests has put Edwards in rare territory, as only Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Dončić, Ja Morant and Anthony Davis have a higher postseason scoring average at age 21 or younger in NBA history.

The 22-year-old also carries elite defensive potential, as he's made vast strides since his rookie season. Edwards can be a 30-point-per-game scorer and an All-Defensive first-team member if given the opportunity.

Argument Against

Can Edwards fully spread his wings with this Wolves team as currently constructed? Towns is still getting up 15.6 shots per game, and six players are averaging 10 points or more. Edwards' minutes have actually decreased this season given the amount of talent the Wolves possess. This is the best team we've seen in Minnesota since 2003-04, and that's with Edwards only getting a semi-green light.

There's also the question if Edwards is mature enough to be the face of the league.

He's had to make multiple public apologies, first for anti-gay comments made in an Instagram video and then later after messages were leaked between him and a woman who he allegedly told to get an abortion.

Edwards will need to continue to improve off the court as well as on it to be considered face-of-the-league worthy.

Age: 26*

Early Awards: All-Star (x5), All-NBA (x3), 2017-18 All-Rookie 1st Team, 2023 All-Star Game MVP

Argument For

Tatum has been knocking on the door of superstardom for years now, yet he always seems just a step away from becoming one of the league's truly elite players.

An All-Star for the past five seasons, Tatum has the size, skill and star power to become the face of the league. Unlike others, he's publicly spoken about wanting to take the next step in doing so as well.

"I feel like it's mine to take," Tatum said via The Athletic's Jared Weiss. "I do feel like, if we win a championship, it would be more distinguished and clear. But I understand I'm in that shortlist for sure."

Tatum has elite three-level scoring ability at 6'8". He can play either forward position, rebounds well and is averaging a career-high 4.8 assists. While he's yet to be recognized for it, Tatum possesses All-Defensive team potential as well.

He's also absolutely right when referencing the importance of winning a title and what it would mean for his legacy. The Boston Celtics are clearly the best team in the NBA, with this season being championship-or-bust. If Boston wins it all and Tatum earns Finals MVP, we'll have no choice but to add him to the best-player-in-the-game conversation.

Argument Against

Tatum, like Anthony Edwards, has perhaps seen his stock dip a bit because of the success of his team.

Fair or not, we've seen Tatum actually take a step back in scoring this season (27.1 points per game compared to 30.1 a year ago). While this is the right thing to do for the Celtics' success after adding Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, it doesn't help Tatum's individual brand unless a championship comes along with it.

More consistency and better shooting efficiency would help Tatum's case as well.

Tatum has only had two instances all season in which he's scored 30 or more points in consecutive games and is shooting 36.4 percent from three, down from his career average of 37.4 percent. With so much talent around him, we should see these efficiency numbers going up, even if his overall scoring average is down.

*Tatum turned 26 on Sunday, but he was 25 at the time this article was written, thus making him eligible for the list.

Age: 25

Early Awards: All-Star (x5), All-NBA (x4), 2018-19 Rookie of the Year, leading NBA in scoring (34.5 points per game)

Argument For

Luka Dončić was a star from the moment he stepped on an NBA court in 2018.

He's either been named Rookie of the Year or an All-Star in each of his first six seasons, and he's currently leading the league in scoring for the first time while also ranking third in assists with a career-high 9.7.

Dončić is a walking offense by himself, controlling the game with his bottomless bag of moves and elite passing ability. There's a buzz whenever he has the ball, something we've previously seen from players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan over the past few decades.

The 25-year-old seems destined to win multiple MVPs over the course of his career given the immense impact he has on his teams, and Dončić only gets better when the lights get brighter. In NBA playoff history, only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain have higher scoring averages than Dončić's 28.5 points per game.

Seemingly dripping in star power, Dončić winning the scoring title this season and finishing as a top-three MVP candidate would get him a big step closer to becoming the face of the league.

Argument Against

While Dončić is must-see TV whenever he's on the floor, he can also be tough to watch with all of the extras that come with his game.

Few players spend more time complaining to the referees about no-calls than Dončić, as he can abandon parts of live games to make sure his concerns are heard. It's something Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has addressed on multiple occasions and was a "major source of frustration" for previous Mavs coach Rick Carlisle, according to ESPN's Tim McMahon.

Dončić also doesn't possess the defensive chops of a younger James, Bryant or Jordan, players who were among the best in the league at their positions in their primes. While this doesn't matter nearly as much as the offensive side of the ball when being the face of a team or league, it doesn't help Dončić's case, either.

Age: 20

Early Awards: Current favorite for Rookie of the Year, January 2024 Rookie of the Month, leading NBA in blocked shots (3.3 per game)

Argument For

The hype surrounding Wembanyama, similar to what we saw for LeBron James, came well before he actually entered the NBA. Like James' rookie season, Wembanyama has more than exceeded expectations to this point, which is saying a lot.

The no-doubt No. 1 pick of the 2023 NBA draft, Wembanyama is averaging 20.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.3 blocks in just 28.7 minutes. The only other rookies in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game are Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson and Alonzo Mourning, although all had some extra seasoning before entering the league. While Wembanyama stepped in as a teenager, O'Neal spent three years in college at LSU, Mourning a full four years at Georgetown and Robinson spent six years serving in the Navy.

Wembanyama was simply built for this era of basketball.

His lean, 7'4" frame is perfect for today's pace-and-space game. Wemby's also knocking down 40.0 percent of his threes over his past 16 games, proving he has few weaknesses already at age 20.

Wembanyama is one of the most unique players in league history given his combination of size and skill. He's one of the best defenders in the league and perhaps the best rim protector we've seen in decades. Wembanyama also comes across as charming and respectful with no red flags to date.

If Wembanyama continues to add muscle, the Spurs add more talent around him and Gregg Popovich continues to serve as both coach and mentor, there's no reason why he can't become the face of the NBA in a few years.

Argument Against

None?

Wembanyama's only faults to date are that he turns the ball over too often (although the Spurs' lack of point guard options don't help) and that he can still get pushed around by bigger, stronger opponents. Big men typically haven't been the face of the league since the 1970s, either.

Still, Wemby is going to become a regular in the All-Star Game, represents a team with a tremendous fanbase and will be named Rookie of the Year in a few months.

There's really nothing holding him back.