NBA’s Next Superstar: Who Leads in 2025?

End of an Era?

The big three of the NBA failed to come up with a strong showing in the 2025 playoffs. Durant was eliminated from playoff contention, LeBron was knocked out in the first round, and Curry got injured as the Warriors faded away in the semis. Nothing has been easy, and it is safe to say that there are a lot of talks as to how the legends of this era are starting to show signs of wear and tear – with Father Time eventually catching up to them.

That being said, many other stars are still expected to make some small runs in the NBA as well. Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler – these names aren’t fading soon, but don’t have enough time to actually put up a dominant stretch as much as the first three stars have managed to do so. Now more than ever, it seems that we are closing on the end of a majestic era in the NBA where rivalries have become prominent, and have had fantastic finishes in the postseason and even the NBA Finals.

These three stars may be on their way out image

It has been a great run. The trio of James, Durant, and Curry defined this generation well. They led Team USA to a massive gold finish earlier this year, and each of them have won championships in recent years as well. However, LeBron is no longer carrying the Lakers the same way he did with the Cavaliers; Durant is no longer the fearsome clutch star in the playoffs, and Curry hasn’t come close to a superb postseason run ever since he won in 2022.

In fact, the last three playoff runs have not featured any of the three stars, marking the longest stretch ever since the three played simultaneously in the league. That just says a lot about how the landscape of the league is starting to change at this point.

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Who is the Next Face of the NBA?

A lot of names are being pegged to be the next defining star of the NBA after James, Durant, and Curry retires. Let’s be clear, Embiid was favored to be on that side, until he kept losing in the second round and his injuries limited his chances to play at a competitive consistency. Giannis Antetokounmpo also had his chance to set that tone with multiple MVP finishes and a championship in 2021, but has not followed up well since then.

Nikola Jokic may have been the best pick to be the next face of the league had it not been for his late bloom. He did go on to win the most MVPs of the previously mentioned stars with three, but he only had one championship back in 2023 and has failed to reach the Finals twice after that.

So who would be the players who have the strong potential to be the next face of the NBA?

1. Victor Wembanyama (21 years old; 24.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 3.8 bpg in 2024-25)

Let’s be clear, as much as OKC fans would want to put Chet Holmgren into this conversation, Victor Wembanyama is in a different league himself for now (emphasis on FOR NOW). Wemby has elevated his level of play and has become the promising center that he’s expected to be. Hyped as the fruition of the next generation of big men in the NBA, the French center continues to exceed expectations and already leads the league in blocks in his first two years in the NBA.

Injuries, however, may limit his availability, and this is a recurring theme among centers of his frame – much as it has affected the progress of Holmgren’s career.

Wemby

He went on to miss more than half of the 2024-25 season, and the fact that the San Antonio Spurs are still yet to come up with a competitive sprint to the playoff level is still quite a tough break for one of the league’s young and bright stars.

2. Anthony Edwards (23 years old; 27.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.5 apg in 2024-25)

Despite losing in the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons, it is worth noting that Anthony Edwards has the strong potential to be the face of the NBA, as he is yet to reach his full potential. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves need to surround him with more competitive talent if they are ever going to reach the biggest stage of the game. He is still young, and this just means he can still hang around the league and find a lot of opportunities to win.

Edwards is an athletic guard who is capable of scoring the ball at will – whether it is from the distance or even going for a massive flush at the rim. The Timberwolves star is barely scratching the surface of his game, and there’s just so much for him to improve now more than ever.

Anthony Edwards image

Who knows, maybe in two or three years, we could be expecting him to deliver insane playoff runs and put up a strong word for his career.

3. Jayson Tatum (27 years old; 26.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 6.0 apg in 2024-25)

Let’s not act like Jayson Tatum didn’t win the NBA Finals just a year ago. We all know how the Celtics star has battled with injuries as of late, and he is certainly still due for a bright future in the NBA. At this rate, the Boston Celtics are still one of the league’s fearsome teams, and it is expected that they will still find a way back into the biggest stage of the game and add to their collection.

For what it’s worth, Tatum has improved a lot in the 2024-25 season, and being at the start of his prime is certainly something to look out for. He was bringing the fight to the New York Knicks in the semis before he eventually went down with an injury, and that says a lot about the experience he’s managed to build on in the past few years.

Jayson Tatum image

And take note, Tatum is yet to miss a playoff campaign in his whole career, so try topping that one off.

4. Luka Doncic (26 years old; 28.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 7.7 apg in 2024-25)

With all the smoke from the Dallas trade cleared, Luka Doncic is heading towards the most important year of his career. He has gone through a lot in one season – being traded and then losing in the first round to the team he took down in the WCF last year. Still, being traded to the Lakers sets him up as one of the future faces of the league, given that he’s playing alongside LeBron in the twilight of the latter’s career.

Doncic has a lot to prove in his game – and being 26 after all that is a massive advantage to consider. If anything, Luka is slated for some big-time hoops in the coming years.

Luka Doncic image

He’s expected to be the cornerstone of one of the biggest franchises in the NBA, and that says a lot about how he is clearly set to define the league as one of its prime stars.

5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 years old; 32.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, 5.0 rpg in 2024-25)

Scoring title? Check. Season MVP? Check. Best season in franchise history? Check. Finals MVP? Check. NBA title? Just got it checked out of his list. If there’s anyone who’s definitely deserving of recognition as the face of the NBA, it is no other than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now more than ever. He just finished with a lot of records broken in the NBA Finals, including the most stocks (steals + blocks) since Michael Jordan, and the most points by a point guard in a single playoff run.

What he’s done in the playoffs this year and the Finals are way too many to compile in this blog, but it is easy to say that SGA has already cemented his place in the annals of NBA history – more than any other star we’ve mentioned aside from James, Durant, and Curry.

SGA image

At least for the time being, that is. After all, he’s still 26 – just getting the prime of his career started, and so is the young core of the Oklahoma City Thunder – ready to kickstart the makings of a massive dynasty at this point.

Is the NBA in Safe Hands?

Absolutely – the NBA is not just in safe hands; it's poised for another golden era. While LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry have defined the league for the past decade and a half, the torch is already being passed to a new generation that is both talented and marketable. Players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and Victor Wembanyama each bring a unique style, charisma, and competitive fire that make them worthy successors.

Shai has proven he can lead a franchise to a title. Luka is now a Laker with a spotlight ready for greatness. Edwards is just scratching the surface of superstardom, while Tatum has already lifted a championship trophy. And Wemby? He might be the most transformative big man since Tim Duncan – a perfect storybook arc if San Antonio returns to glory.

The league is evolving, but it’s not losing its magic. If anything, the future promises even more: fresh rivalries, new dynasties, and unforgettable moments. The faces may be changing, but the NBA’s future looks as bright – if not brighter – than ever.