The stage is set for the next generation of NBA players to take the lead and we've taken a look at some of the best young talents in the league right now.
LeBron James and Stephen Curry have been the biggest stars in the NBA for over a decade now, but at 37 and 34 respectively their time at the summit is now limited, while the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Chris Paul are also all comfortably in their thirties.
We've put together our list of the best five players under the age of 25 right now and all have the potential to be in the MVP conversation next season.
We've avoided rookies and players going into their second seasons in this list on the basis that those individuals still have the potential to improve further, but there is plenty of talent within that group too.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks (23)
Luke Doncic is gearing up for his fifth season in the NBA and he is already a three-time All-Star.
The Slovenian is among the frontrunners for the MVP award next season and his incredible displays last season saw him guide Dallas Mavericks to the Western Conference finals.
The Mavs lost in five games to eventual winners Golden State Warriors - despite Doncic managing to record 40+ points in two of those contests.
It is incredible to think Doncic is still only 23 and he already has a number of records to his name.
He was the first player in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double as a teenager, only legendary duo Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson managed to reach 4,000 career points in fewer games and he is just the second player to record 4,000+ points and 1,000+ assists before turning 22 years old after LeBron James.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (24)
Jayson Tatum starred as Boston Celtics reached the Finals Series last season and he will be looking to go one better in the coming campaign.
The 24-year-old forward is preparing for his sixth season in the league and has already managed 365 regular season appearances and a further 74 in the postseason -all of which have been starts.
Tatum averaged career-highs in points (26.9), rebounds (8.0) and assists (4.4) last season in a stellar campaign, but there is clearly scope for further improvement and he looks set to be the key player in the Celtics line-up in the years ahead as they try and end their wait for another championship.
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies (22)
While Doncic and Tatum were considered superstars from the get-go in their NBA careers, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has had to prove a few doubters wrong in his three seasons to date.
Like Doncic, the 22-year-old won the Rookie of the Year award, but then had a difficult second season and some analysts felt his development had stalled.
However, Morant bounced back last season and averaged career-highs in almost all of the significant statistics, with 27.4 points-per-game, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 33.1 minutes, which led to him landing the Most Improved Player honour.
He raised his game further in the postseason with 8.0 rebounds and 9.8 assists in nine games as Memphis announced themselves as genuine contenders in the Western Conference.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (22)
Atlanta Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, but failed to back that up last season.
However, point guard Trae Young continued to impress and his performance in the play-in tournament against Cleveland Cavaliers helped drag the Hawks into the playoffs, where they would ultimately lose in five games to Miami Heat.
Young scored 38 points against the Cavs and 32 of those came in the second half, which demonstrates he has a big-game mentality and a will to win.
The 22-year-old then ultimately failed to deliver in the playoffs against the Heat and there is certainly room for further improvement, but Young is still on course to be one of the league's stars in the years ahead.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (22)
Zion Williamson and LaMelo Ball definitely deserve a mention, but the final spot on this list goes to Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, as he has demonstrated he can make an impact in the postseason, whereas Williamson and Ball are still waiting to make their playoff debuts.
Edwards is the only player on this list yet to receive an All-Star selection, but don't be surprised if he gets the call next season.
The Georgia product continued his solid improvement last year in his second season, but really came alive in the playoffs - averaging 25.2 points-per-game across six appearances for Minnesota.
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