Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards are three of the NBA’s most talented young security guards, and there is an opinion on the next batch of rookies.
As the NBA leaves LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, the next face of the league is ready to win the throne. Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flag are two front runners, but neither of them have been playing Prime yet.
Elite guards Shay Gilgauss Alexander, Anthony Edwards and Luka Donsic are all established All-Stars at this point, with Donsic and SGA both scoring champions. Edwards hasn’t reached its peak yet, but he is one of the most flashiest and exciting players in the league.
Donsic is the best passerby, but SGA is the best shooter and Edwards is the best highlight creator. The league’s upcoming rookies gave insight into who they think are the most talented.
Most fans will say that SGA and Doncic are both top five players in a perfectly healthy world. Edwards is undoubtedly in the top 10, and his breakout shooting season only increased his inventory.
Edwards has a significant share of viral moments, always barking great players and almost always going viral. His Minnesota Timberwolves replaced both the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in the postseason, and last year he sent out MVP Nikola Jokic Packing.
Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander finished ahead of Edwards in the MVP poll, but the simple game of start, bench and cut revealed who is considered the best player
“We’ll cut the ants, the bench SGA, the luka,” Ace Bailey said.
Other top prospects Jeremiah fears, Jace Richardson and Walter Clayton Jr. all agreed, and only Dylan Harper lost the norm.
“Starting Shai, MVP,” Harper said. “If I bench Luka, it feels rude, but I have a bias recently because I like how Ali plays these days. He’s not really playing in defense, so I’ll bench Ali and cut Luka.”
In the draft combine, Harper compared James Harden, Cade Cunningham and SGA, so it makes sense to have MVP’s favorite soft spots.
The NBA face has always been not the best player in the world. Certainly, LeBron James Long is something Stephen Curry can make a point, but players like Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins and Dwyane Wade have not always been the best players in the world, but they were on sale.
Edwards is not the best young player. He’s not even the best young guard, but his viral moments, quotable jabs and highlight dunks are simply attracting attention rather than SGA scores 35 points or sledging needles with passes.
“The Face of the League” is different from the best players and MVPs, but when building teams like draft picks, the market and “sw walk” that Edwards has in Spades are hard to ignore.
In addition, Edwards is poised to become the face of Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics game.