For two decades, the question of who owns the NBA has had clear answers. First it was LeBron James, reigning from Cleveland to Miami and back again, then westward to Los Angeles. Stephen Curry carved out his own dynasty in the Bay. Parallel stars rose and shone — Durant, Giannis, now Jokić — yet the conversation always circled back to those two pillars.
But 2025 feels different. As James and Curry inch toward the twilight years, a generation of young stars has arrived demanding recognition. And for the first time in memory, nobody can quite agree who'll carry the torch next.
The obvious name: Victor Wembanyama
At 7'4" with guard skills and shot-blocking prowess the league has never witnessed in combination, Wembanyama represents something genuinely new. ESPN's GM Survey gave him 30% of votes for best defender in the league at just 21 years old. His presence forces players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson to adjust how they attack the rim.
But here's the complication: Wembanyama may not be eligible for Defensive Player of the Year if he can't meet the 65-game threshold. Injuries have already cost him 12 games this season. San Antonio won't be championship-caliber for years. His coronation feels inevitable — just not imminent.
The rookie everyone's watching: Cooper Flagg
Dallas landed the No. 1 pick through lottery fortune, and Flagg has done nothing to diminish the hype since arriving. The comparisons to LeBron's early career aren't casual — scouts genuinely see parallels in how he impacts games on both ends.
"A generational talent," is how Sports Illustrated describes him, noting he tops the list of projected rookies alongside rare elite talent entering the league behind him.
The Mavericks paired him with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving after trading Luka Dončić — a move that seemed shocking at the time but increasingly looks prescient.
The contenders you can't ignore
Jalen Brunson has inserted himself firmly into the MVP conversation with clutch performances that earned him last year's Clutch Player of the Year award. At 28, he's entering his prime with a Knicks team that returned its core intact.
Anthony Edwards brings the charisma and marketing appeal that LeBron embodied. His breakout performances for Team USA and playoff runs with Minnesota have established him as the most entertaining player to watch in the Western Conference.
Cade Cunningham, quietly, might be assembling the most impressive case of all. Detroit's 24-8 start has him leading a resurgent Pistons team, and ESPN's projections suggest he could challenge for MVP within the next five years.
What this means for the league
The NBA's globalization complicates the "face of the league" question. Wembanyama is French. Nikola Jokić is Serbian. Giannis Antetokounmpo is Greek. Luka Dončić is Slovenian. International growth means broader audiences but potentially diffused cultural impact domestically.
Flagg's timing, then, may be perfect. An American star entering the league as the old guard exits, with a playing style that transcends highlight reels.
The next decade belongs to someone. We're just not sure who yet.