Sekou Smith | NBA.com
Picking the best players of the past decade can be a delightful process, a walk down memory lane that highlights the best of the NBA’s best of the most recently completed era.
We took care of that for you earlier this week with NBA.com’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
Data and established success provide the context needed to make a strong case when you’re looking back. But you can’t rely on those conventions when trying to decide what, and perhaps more appropriately, who, comes next.
Questions linger for the big stars of the 2010s who would normally transition into the next decade with similar status.
How will Kevin Durant look when he comes back from a season lost to an Achilles injury? What will Klay Thompson’s game look like post-ACL injury? There’s no saying how the summer’s superstar free agent and trade shuffle will impact career trajectories for older stars like Durant (going from Golden State to Brooklyn) and Russell Westbrook (going from Oklahoma City to Houston).
Young stars just entering the league (or still finding their way) are bound to emerge in the coming years. On the other hand, established veterans will see the inevitable fading of their star status.
That uncertain future for so many is part of what makes today’s exercise so much fun. We are peering into our crystal ball and projecting the future, identifying the stars who, a decade from now, might find their names on the best-of-the best list for the 2020s.
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* = players who made a 2010s All-Decade Team
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks *
“The Greek Freak” doesn’t finished off the 2010s with (his first?) Kia MVP and should be poised to compete for more this decade. He’s only scratched the surface of his immense potential and should be in the thick of the race for best player of the decade.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors *
One half of the sweetest shooting backcourt in NBA history, Curry and his fellow Splash Brother, Thompson, could make the next All-Decade Team, too. That would require them proving they’re still playing championship-level basketball in the Bay Area post-Durant.
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers *
Davis is finally positioned to chase championships and will do so as he enters the physical prime of his career. With Davis and LeBron James leading the way, the Lakers begin the next decade poised for a return to legitimate contender status.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
The reigning Kia Rookie of the Year gave us all a preview of what’s to come. Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis are the the foundational players expected to fuel the Mavericks the way Dirk Nowitzki did the past two decades.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
If Embiid stays healthy, he’s good enough to challenge for the unofficial title of best player of the 2020s. His availability is the most critical component for a Sixers organization that believes it is on the cusp of championship contention.
Paul George, LA Clippers *
George has fully bounced back from his devastating leg injury in 2014, earning a place among the NBA’s elite by finishing third in the Kia MVP voting to close out the 2010s. The only thing left on his to-do-list is to make the championship dreams of Clippers fans a reality.
James Harden, Houston Rockets *
Finding a new groove alongside Westbrook will determine the Rockets’ championship fate and perhaps Harden’s legacy. Harden’s Hall of Fame status is secured. He just needs a title to complete his trophy case.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers *
Could he win a Kia MVP in three different decades? LeBron has broken the mold in just about every way imaginable to this point of his career, so it would be foolish to doubt him. He’s also got a chance to add to his title haul in the next decade as well. As for Father Time … what does that matter?
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
After winning a title as the supporting star in LeBron’s homecoming story in Cleveland, Irving hopes to revisit that magic in Brooklyn once Durant is healthy again. While Irving has some repair to do to his reputation after his final season in Boston, his talent remains undeniable.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Some would argue that Jokic (and not Embiid) finished the decade as the NBA’s best big man. The Nuggets are banking on it, as they’ve built their operation around the triple-double versatility of the 24-year-old All-Star known as “The Joker.”
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers *
Leonard load managed his way to a title in Toronto but has already declared himself ready to play without limitations as he attempts to bring a championship parade to his hometown. He’s at the height of his powers right now and, with good health, will be for the foreseeable future.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard was noticeably absent from the 2010s All-Decade Team, but he shouldn’t have to worry about that happening in the 2020s. The face and soul of the franchise in Portland, Lillard knows that the next step for he and CJ McCollum is a Finals berth.
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
If the addition of veteran Mike Conley has the impact Utah’s braintrust expects, Mitchell is primed to rise any ranking of the West’s (and NBA’s) top players. Don’t be surprised if he snags a scoring title (or two) in the next decade.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
With Kyrie Irving gone, Tatum and the Celtics can get back to the performances he provided during the 2018 playoffs as a rookie. The Celtics have refused to trade Tatum for a reason. He’s got the array of skills that a team values in a wing scorer.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Any pre-Draft trepidation about Young was overturned after his strong finish to his rookie season. A splendid passer with Splash Bros.-type range, Young will grow and mature physically into the leader of a franchise revival in Atlanta.
