In 2021, the NBA released its 75th Anniversary Team to honor the greatest players in league history. The list included 75 legends spanning decades, from George Mikan to Giannis Antetokounmpo, all celebrated as icons of the sport. Assuming the NBA still exists in 2047, we’ll inevitably get a 100th Anniversary Team. And like all lists before it, there will be snubs, debates, and maybe even a few head-scratchers.
So instead of waiting, we’re going to take our best shot now. We know some of this will age terribly. Some of these players will fade, others will rise. But here is a forward-looking attempt to predict who could make up the next 25 names added to the NBA 100.
The Safe Assumptions: The First 75 Stay
The NBA 50 team was carried over entirely to the 75, so we can assume the NBA 100 will do the same. That means the 75 legends from the 2021 list are locked in. So congrats to Bob Cousy, Rick Barry, and yes, Dolph Schayes. You’re safe for now.
Snubs Corrected: The Veterans Who Belong
Pau Gasol
Gasol should have made the NBA 75. He was not just Kobe Bryant’s sidekick, he was arguably the better player in the 2010 NBA Finals and deserved more recognition. Averaging 20 points and 4 offensive rebounds per game during that run, Gasol was a true interior anchor on both ends. Beyond the peak, his longevity is remarkable. He entered the league averaging nearly 18 and 9 as a rookie and was still producing 17 and 11 as a 35-year-old All-Star. Only 13 players in NBA history have at least 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds, and Pau is one of them. It’s time he gets his due.
Dwight Howard
Howard was the most glaring omission from the NBA 75. His résumé includes three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight All-NBA selections, a Finals appearance as a franchise star, and a title as a valuable role player. At his peak, he was one of the most impactful players in the league. The pushback often centers on his public persona or decline, but the numbers and accolades speak for themselves.
Tony Parker
Parker’s exclusion from the NBA 75 felt like recency bias at its worst. He has four championships, a Finals MVP, and nearly 20,000 points. He ran the Spurs offense for over a decade and was consistently excellent in the playoffs. Manu Ginobili may be the more beloved cult figure, but Parker was the engine.
Draymond Green
Draymond will be one of the more unique cases in NBA 100 discussions, but his impact is hard to overstate. He is a four-time champion, Defensive Player of the Year, and one of the smartest team defenders in history. Think of him as the Magic Johnson of defense: unconventional, transformative, and unforgettable.
Already on Track: The Current Locks
Nikola Jokic
If Jokic retired tomorrow, he would still make this list. He is redefining what offense looks like from the center position. His combination of scoring, passing, efficiency, and consistency places him in rare air. The 2020s will be remembered as Jokic’s decade.
Joel Embiid
While Embiid has faced legitimate playoff frustrations and health concerns, he remains one of the most dominant two-way big men of this generation. He’s an MVP winner during Jokic’s prime, a scoring champion, and a consistent defensive presence. His resume is already strong, and he’s still got time to build on it.
Luka Doncic
Doncic’s numbers are flat-out insane. His career averages of 29, 9, and 8 put him in company with Jordan and Wilt. He finished fourth in MVP voting at age 20. The only knock on him is the lack of postseason success. If he wins a championship, he might flirt with top-10 all-time discussions.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum has already been the best player on a title team, made four consecutive All-NBA First Teams, and played more playoff games before age 27 than some Hall of Famers do in their entire careers. With a clean bill of health and a strong Celtics core, Tatum is trending toward rewriting franchise records.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai’s 2025 season (MVP, Finals MVP, and statistical dominance) has already etched his name into league history. OKC’s future is loaded with talent and draft capital, which makes it easy to imagine multiple deep playoff runs. Shai could become the defining guard of this generation.
Devin Booker
Booker may never win MVP or rack up All-NBA First Team selections, but his path to the NBA 100 comes through volume. He’s on pace to become the best player in Suns history and will likely finish among the top 10 to 15 all-time in scoring. That kind of sustained production earns respect.
Rising Stars with Real Paths
Anthony Edwards
When Edwards was drafted, the Dwyane Wade comps were generous. Now, he’s already surpassed Wade’s offensive skill set and has room to grow. He hit over 300 threes this past season. Whether or not Minnesota wins anything, Edwards’ playoff production and scoring upside make him a serious contender.
Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell has given Cleveland new life post-LeBron. He’s a consistent 25-plus point scorer, has had memorable playoff moments, and still has time to elevate his team. If he stays healthy and the Cavs make a deep run, he will be hard to ignore.
Cade Cunningham
Cade is already one of the most effective offensive initiators in the league. Injuries have slowed him early, but when healthy, he looks like 2020 Luka Doncic, as he is poised, physical, and constantly in control. If he stays on the floor, he’s a future MVP candidate.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns didn’t even make the first version of this list, but the stats forced a second look. He quietly had one of his best seasons recently and is statistically unmatched when it comes to combining rebounding and three-point shooting. Advanced metrics love him, and his prime isn’t over.
Kyrie Irving
There’s a universe where Kyrie made the NBA 75 over Damian Lillard. His efficiency, elite shot-making, and pivotal role in Cleveland’s 2016 title are undeniable. If he stays on the court and avoids further off-court derailments, he likely makes this team.
Future Stars and Wildcards
Victor Wembanyama
The floor is already elite, and the ceiling is terrifying. Wemby is the first player since young Anthony Davis to be a lock for All-Defense every year. His offense is still growing, but if he stays healthy, he could be a perennial MVP contender and the face of the next era.
Jalen Williams
This is partly a bet on Shai, partly a bet on OKC’s ceiling, and partly on Jalen himself. He is smart, skilled, and incredibly efficient. If the Thunder win two or more titles, Williams will be a key part of them, and that could be enough.
Rudy Gobert
Gobert is arguably the most disliked great player of the modern era, but the résumé is loaded. Four Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight All-Defensive team nods, and elite impact stats. He may never win a popularity contest, but he absolutely belongs in this conversation.
Cooper Flagg
Having seen Flagg in person, the hype feels real. He is the guy who put Maine on the basketball map. His size, IQ, and defensive instincts give him an incredibly high floor. If his offensive game catches up, which is entirely possible, Flagg could end up with a Tatum-like career arc. Landing with a win-now team like the Mavericks only increases his chances to make an impact early.
Kevin Love
Love’s career arc has been unusual, but impressive. A dominant force in Minnesota, a key role player on a championship team in Cleveland, and now a reliable veteran in Miami. Only 27 players in league history have at least 15,000 points and 9,000 rebounds. Love is one of them.
Hansen Yang
Still a mystery to most fans, Yang was the best defender in the CBA and has already flashed advanced skills in Summer League. He has shades of Arvydas Sabonis with Jokic-like passing vision. If he gets regular minutes, he could be a statistical marvel.
High School to NBA: The Next Wave
Darryn Peterson
Peterson is the No. 1 player in the high school class of 2025 and a projected top pick. A jumbo guard with natural scoring instincts and a high defensive IQ, Peterson has both the physical tools and the game to make an immediate impact. He’ll start his college career at Kansas, and if he lands with a rebuilding NBA team like the Nets, he could be their blue-chip franchise piece.
AJ Dybantsa
The BYU commit is one of the best athletes in high school basketball. Dybantsa is a strong finisher, a two-way presence, and has the tools to become a dominant wing. His shooting still needs work, but if he develops a consistent perimeter game, his upside is enormous.
Ean Horford
Yes, he’s Al’s son, but he might be the most promising Horford yet. A member of the class of 2033, Ean will benefit from new draft rules and has the size, feel, and time to build a long-term résumé that earns him a spot.
Final Thoughts
Will all of these players make the NBA 100? Of course not. Some will fade, others will surprise, and at least one name on this list will look ridiculous in hindsight. But legacy is about more than just talent. It is about staying healthy, showing up in big moments, and evolving with the game.
Whether it’s the quiet longevity of Pau Gasol, the peak brilliance of Jokic, or the potential-packed frame of Wembanyama, the NBA 100 will reflect all versions of greatness. We’ll check back in 2047 and see how we did.
Join our newsletter for weekly updates, banter, and more.
:
:
:
:
