There’s an ongoing hot topic debate about the “face of the NBA.” Analysts and radio talk show hosts are claiming the NBA has a face problem. With LeBron James and Steph Curry’s careers winding down, who is taking that title? In an Association with the likes of Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and new Lakers acquisition Luka Doncic, is this true or just another slow news day?

Some believe the ratings in the NBA are down due to the NBA’s “face problem.” When people mention this, they tend to forget the NBA had the most-watched Christmas Day slate since 2019, just two short months ago. Coming on the heels of a head-to-head matchup with the NFL on Netflix, this record viewership speaks volumes to the state of the NBA being just fine. People still watch the NBA and they watch the meaningful games, even if people are too busy to follow 82-game schedules and smaller market games.

The NBA’s never had a “face problem.” There’s been overlap with Magic Johnson to Michael Jordan, to Kobe Bryant, to LeBron James with Stephen Curry mixed in. There’s no shortage of superstar power in the NBA’s history. The NBA’s athletes today are getting bigger, faster, more athletic, and have a larger presence and closer connection with the growing, and sometimes intrusive, media access. Seeing the stars of today is not only more accessible than ever before, but too much access can leave these stars overexposed. But to say there’s nobody to take over the “face of the NBA” is an absurd, out-of-touch take.

I can think of four men who have yet, or are just now entering, their prime who can be the face of the NBA for the next decade.

Victor Wembanyama

Wembanyama is only two years into his NBA career and has immediately made a sudden impact. Wembanyama can do anything at 7’3” and his uniqueness makes him an anomaly for the NBA fans. Victor Wembanyama is “The Alien” because of having an unique skillset of defense, ball-handling skills, shooting range, agility, and SportsCenter Top 10 plays. There aren’t clones of Wembanyama casually sitting around. He’s very recognizable due to his size and ability, setting himself up to be a recognizable star to take over the NBA.

Two things could hinder Wembanyama from being this face: a small market and his health.

Tim Duncan won five NBA Championships with the San Antonio Spurs. Duncan’s widely regarded as one of the best power forwards of all-time, but never the face. How much success would Wembanyama need in San Antonio to be considered the face of the NBA? Could he ever break through the smaller market restraints of San Antonio?

The second concern is his health. Wembanyama has been ruled out for the rest of this season after finding a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, a type of blood clot. Well on his way to winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in his second season, he’s now ineligible. This just shows the potential of Wembanyama this early in his career, and fans are praying this is an isolated incident for Wembanyama and this doesn’t hinder his longevity.

Anthony Edwards

Edwards started to make strides in last year’s postseason run for the Minnesota Timberwolves and his personality is one fans can gravitate towards. Edwards is exciting on the court and he has soundbites behind the microphone. One of those soundbites included Anthony Edwards saying he didn’t want or care to be the face of the NBA.

I hate to break it to Edwards, but the face of the NBA is bestowed, not chosen. Edwards is exciting enough to be that guy and be an influence to up-and-coming basketball players. Drawing comparisons in playing style to Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade, Edwards has the potential to be the face of the NBA, especially if he finds a way to win a championship or move away from the smaller market Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jayson Tatum

While Edwards is on record for saying he doesn’t want to be the face of the NBA, Jayson Tatum wants it and has a championship to his name. Tatum is about to celebrate his 27th birthday with an NBA Championship and three straight All-NBA First Team selections to his name. Tatum also has the benefit of being the guy on one of the most historic franchises in NBA history, the Boston Celtics. With the likes of Bill Russell and Larry Bird in Boston’s lineage, Tatum is carrying the Boston tradition well.

It’s about success in the postseason. Now that he has a ring, he also has the most points ever scored in a Game 7. More impressive than showing up in the clutch Game 7, Tatum has the most points scored in playoff history for his age. The consistency of being in the playoffs, performing at a high level, and leading one of the better teams in today’s game, Tatum has a case to be the face of the NBA.

Luka Doncic

While Jayson Tatum wants to be the face, and Anthony Edwards doesn’t, LeBron James agrees it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. But what if the monumental shift at the trade deadline was more than just shaking up two rosters? What if the Luka Doncic trade was more about crowning a new face of the NBA?

What do Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James all have in common? They all played for the Los Angeles Lakers, the biggest brand in basketball. And at one point, they were all the best active player on the planet. Luka Doncic, a 5-time All-NBA First Team selection in his first 6 years, just joined the Lakers with better numbers than LeBron’s first 7 seasons. The Mavericks fanbase was shook to its core because they traded away everyone’s favorite player, but traded away a generational talent.

It’s no secret the Lakers are planning on life after LeBron, so they were able to strike a deal to obtain the next face of the NBA. If Luka Doncic was able to deliver a title to the Lakers and win Finals MVP, Doncic could be the face of the Lakers and the entire NBA for the next decade. And who better to train and prepare Doncic than LeBron James, who has navigated the weight of the world on his shoulders for so long.

The NBA is in good hands. The NBA doesn’t have a face problem. Fans need to sit back and watch history be made in front of our eyes, because the face of the NBA is right in front of your face.