Donovan Mitchell’s list on the next Face of the NBA in 5 years: "Myself, Ant, Ja Morant, Cooper Flagg, SGA & Tatum"

[Up-And-Coming]

He didn't give a definitive answer and sounds like he was just listing off young stars and potential future 1st overall picks off the dome. "Face" of the league to me refers to a superstar with the most popularity and facial recognition amongst casuals. Of course I think Wemby deserves to be in that list. Luka also probably as he's younger than both Donovan and Shai who he listed. Anthony Edwards should be on there too. I doubt Flagg will be the "face" of the league although I do think he'll be a multiple time All-Star. If I had to give a Top 5 list projecting 5 years from now I'd say:

Wemby
Luka
Edwards
Tatum

Maybe Zion if he moves East or probably a sleeper young prospect who pops a la Giannis

Edit: I'd also add LaMelo Ball as a sleeper pick. He's already incredibly popular even as a lottery-bound Hornet but he puts up numbers at just 23 years old. Just needs to refine his game a bit; increase efficiency and minimize defensive lapses and go on a few deep playoff runs. He has the potential.

[MrPainfulTruth]

the "face of the league" isnt neccessarily the best player, but its the role model, idol, the guy. After MJ the league was in a vacuum. Talent and result wise, Kobe could have been the face easily but he had parts of his persona that didnt fit the league's desired image; same with A.I.. LeBron is a guy who doesnt show much of this unwanted personality so he was a good fit. Looking at the list in the title i wonder how Ant or Morant could possibly be that guy with their noisy showboating and wannabe gangsta attitude. Mitchell is not good enough. SGA maybe, Tatum yes.

[web123888]

SGA belongs in the discussion but the rest do not. Mitchell isn’t even close.

Jokic, Doncic, Giannis, SGA basically. Wembanyama is the only one with a chance to enter the discussion.

Mitchell is a nice scorer but not a real superstar.

[Bulliever2020]

The North American player giving a list of North American players. Shocking.

[Tottery]

He said you gotta let it play out and listed players with hype behind their name. Was put on the spot and wasn't definitive. That said...

Luka
Wemby
SGA
Flagg
Morant

Only listing Morant because his offense is exciting when healthy.

[lambchop]

It's still hilarious to me how people assume Lebron will retire before Mitchell retires.

[HMFFL]

It's still hilarious to me how people assume Lebron will retire before Mitchell retires.

I personally believe Lebron doesn't want to retire since the Lakers have Luka now.

KD said he intends on playing until the wheels fall off. Lebron will keep playing for awhile.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app

[axeman23]

In 5 years' time Mobley will be closer to face of the league than Mitchell, if Mitchell doesn't stunt or outright sabotage his natural progression. Not that I think Mobley will be "the guy", as he doesn't have the "look at me" attitude kids seem to like.

[Fencer reregistered]

If a team wins two or more rings, its best player has a good chance to be a face of the league. Maybe even before the second ring is actually won.

(E.g., Isiah Thomas was actually pushed pretty hard for that role, but it didn't stick.)

Otherwise, a guy needs some special pizzazz.

[JayMKE]

“Face of the NBA” is a stupid concept and 5 years is a long time from now.

[Calvin Klein]

[Mik317]

its someone no one even thinks about yet more than likely...like Steph came out of nowhere.

[Sign5]

That's cute

Big men are never the face of the league. It may not be fair, but it is what it is. It’s why they never get shoe deals lol

Were you born in 2007 or something?

[Marvin Martian]

Flagg and Ja over Wemby and Luka is a joke

[chilluminati]

An on the fly question will get an on the fly response. Plus of course he's gonna include himself.

[Synciere]

Mitchell is good but face of the league good?

Forget about Mictchell's talent, he will be 33 years old in 5 years.

He has no chance to become one of NBA's biggest faces.

That's cute

Big men are never the face of the league. It may not be fair, but it is what it is. It’s why they never get shoe deals lol

Shaq and Duncan were the faces of NBA during the 1990s (with Jordan) & 2000s.

Sorry. I’d argue MJ was the face of the league throughout the entirety of the 90s, even after he retired for a few years. Just my humble opinion. And I’d argue Lebron has been the face of the league by the end of his rookie year.

[Synciere]

That's cute

Big men are never the face of the league. It may not be fair, but it is what it is. It’s why they never get shoe deals lol

Wemby already has a shoe deal with Nike. With his own logo. Big ad campaign, too. And he's an ambassador for Louis Vuitton. What may have applied to big men before Wemby has already broken through.

Damn I didn’t know Wemby had a Nike deal. I hadn’t seen anything yet but that is probably all in the works. That said, we’ll see how well he sells in the States, which a face of the league has to resonate with given this is an American League.

[G R E Y]

Big men are never the face of the league. It may not be fair, but it is what it is. It’s why they never get shoe deals lol

Wemby already has a shoe deal with Nike. With his own logo. Big ad campaign, too. And he's an ambassador for Louis Vuitton. What may have applied to big men before Wemby has already broken through.

Damn I didn’t know Wemby had a Nike deal. I hadn’t seen anything yet but that is probably all in the works. That said, we’ll see how well he sells in the States, which a face of the league has to resonate with given this is an American League.

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[CIN-C-STAR]

Putting a college player on the list over Wemby is wild
Must be some carryover beef after D Mitch gave him the thumbs down during the Skills Challenge

[brackdan70]

Flagg and Ja over Wemby and Luka is a joke

I would Wager Luka’s best days are behind. I know that sounds crazy at age 25 but it just doesn’t look good.