Luka Doncic, a Dallas Mavericks superstar, has become one of the NBA’s best players after receiving four consecutive All-NBA First-Team nominations, with a fifth on the way. He’s improved his game this season, averaging 34.2 points, 9.5 assists, and 8.8 rebounds since the All-Star break.

Many consider LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant to be the NBA’s current faces, with other outstanding players in their primes being recent MVP winners such as Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid, but who will take that spot once those players retire?

Curry and Durant offered their thoughts on the All-Star Media Day news conference, despite James’ absence. Those superstars cited a few names, including Doncic. Curry listed Doncic, Anthony Edwards, and Shai Gligeous-Alexander as players who have already achieved All-Star status and are entering their primes.

“You see Luka, Ant [Anthony Edwards], Shai, guys that are really coming into their prime,” Curry went on to say. “They are already highly acclaimed as All-Stars, but they understand what it means in terms of on-court/off-court potential and the doors that basketball opens in that regard.

“You have a lot of skill to select from in that area. I believe the more you realize the genuineness of it, and like me and Bron and KD, we’ve done it and tried to do it in our own manner, which may look different for different players.”

Durant had a longer list of candidates than Curry, including Doncic, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Edwards, but he also mentioned Devin Booker, Tyrese Maxey, and Tyrese Haliburton.

“You see Shai and Book, Luka, Tyrese Maxey, Tyrese Haliburton, and so many other youngsters that want to be basketball players in the future generation that you can’t just pick one or two. It’s about moving the game forward and setting a new standard for how we play, which these guys are doing right now.”

One of the most intriguing aspects of this type of conversation is Doncic’s already widespread appeal in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and around the world. His global appeal already establishes him as one of the faces of basketball, not just the NBA.