Image Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

“I think SGA wants to wear it”- Kendrick Perkins makes bold prediction about the NBA’s next face after LeBron James and Stephen Curry

LeBron and Stephen Curry are nearing the end of their career.

Image Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins made a bold prediction about the league’s next face once Los Angeles Lakers’ icon LeBron James and Golden State Warriors’ star guard Stephen Curry eventually retire. James has continued to dominate the league despite being the oldest player in the NBA at 40.

Recently, he added another feather to his cap after being picked up for his 21st straight All-Star Games. Averaging at 23.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.9 assists this season, the four-time MVP has delivered consistent performances for his side.

On the other hand, Stephen, who is playing his 16th season with the Warriors, has been the only bright spot in Warriors’ struggling season. The 36-year-old is averaging at 22.6 points, 6.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game this season.

Needless to say, James’ and Curry’s performances make them their team’s key players, and the faces of the league. However, as they both are nearing the end of their careers, the question of the NBA’s next face arises among fans and pundits. Talking about it, 2008 NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins revealed that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the right guy for it.

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Perkins reveals his choice for NBA’s next face

Perkins appeared on the recent episode of “NBA Today”, where he heaped praise on the OKC Thunder star and revealed why he is the perfect player to be NBA’s next face. He said, “We’ve been wondering who LeBron James and Steph Curry gon’ pass the torch to, for as being the next face of the NBA, I think SGA wants to wear it.”

"Let's take it a step further. We've been wondering who LeBron James and Steph Curry [were going to pass] the torch to for being the next face of the NBA. I think [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] wants to wear it.

— Kendrick Perkins 👀

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/Tu8YPINlE5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 24, 2025

Notably, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard has led his side to its best start in team history (36-8) during the current season. The 26-year-old is an MVP frontrunner this season and is averaging at 32.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season.

SGA, as he is fondly called, set a career-high with 54 points during the OKC’s 123-114 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, January 22.

Kendrick Perkins

LeBron James

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Stephen Curry

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.