25 Players Who Have A Chance To Make NBA 100th Anniversary Team: Luka Doncic Will Be A Legend, Klay Thompson Will Get Redemption

The NBA 75th Anniversary Team was a special moment for NBA legends, fans, and media members around the world. Everybody got a chance to honor the game’s greatest-ever players in an exciting ceremony that saw elite stars such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar all show up. As expected, the prior release of the list of all 75 players that made the team caused a huge debate among media and fans about who was snubbed. Here is the official list of the 75th Anniversary Team:

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

2. Ray Allen

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

4. Carmelo Anthony

5. Nate Archibald

6. Paul Arizin

7. Charles Barkley

8. Rick Barry

9. Elgin Baylor

10. Dave Bing

11. Larry Bird

12. Kobe Bryant

13. Wilt Chamberlain

14. Bob Cousy

15. Dave Cowens

16. Billy Cunningham

17. Stephen Curry

18. Anthony Davis

19. Dave DeBusschere

20. Clyde Drexler

21. Tim Duncan

22. Kevin Durant

23. Julius Erving

24. Patrick Ewing

25. Walt Frazier

26. Kevin Garnett

27. George Gervin

28. Hal Greer

29. James Harden

30. John Havlicek

31. Elvin Hayes

32. Allen Iverson

33. LeBron James

34. Magic Johnson

35. Sam Jones

36. Michael Jordan

37. Jason Kidd

38. Kawhi Leonard

39. Damian Lillard

40. Jerry Lucas

41. Karl Malone

42. Moses Malone

43. Pete Maravich

44. Bob McAdoo

45. Kevin McHale

46. George Mikan

47. Reggie Miller

48. Earl Monroe

49. Steve Nash

50. Dirk Nowitzki

51. Hakeem Olajuwon

52. Shaquille O'Neal

53. Robert Parish

54. Chris Paul

55. Gary Payton

56. Bob Pettit

57. Paul Pierce

58. Scottie Pippen

59. Willis Reed

60. Oscar Robertson

61. David Robinson

62. Dennis Rodman

63. Bill Russell

64. Dolph Schayes

65. Bill Sharman

66. John Stockton

67. Isiah Thomas

68. Nate Thurmond

69. Wes Unseld

70. Dwyane Wade

71. Bill Walton

72. Jerry West

73. Russell Westbrook

74. Lenny Wilkens

75. Dominique Wilkins

76. James Worthy

The 75th Anniversary Team was a 25-player continuation of the original 50th Anniversary Team that was released in 1996. Some fans and media members discussed which current NBA stars were snubbed from the honorable list, and each of them has major arguments for being included. Among those include Hall of Famers Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh, and future Hall of Famers Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Manu Ginobili, and Pau Gasol.

Looking at the current crop of NBA players, which stars competing in the NBA right now have the best chance to make the NBA 100th Anniversary Team? Looking ahead to the next 25 years, one might wonder which current stars will most likely be included in that honorable list, and we have got you covered with the cream of the crop. Here are the stars who will likely feature in the NBA 100th Anniversary Team, taking into account the biggest snubs from the 75th Anniversary Team and adding in current stars.

Devin Booker

Career Achievements: 3x All-Star, 2016 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 23.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Devin Booker is still relatively young at age 25 but has an NBA Finals appearance and a 70-point game to his name. The shooting guard can get incredibly hot from the perimeter, and he became only the sixth player in NBA history after Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Robinson, Elgin Baylor, and David Thompson to score 70 or more points in a single NBA game.

But more importantly, Booker seems to be the man who is the next dominant shooting guard in the league considering James Harden and Klay Thompson will soon exit their prime. Booker has already begun improving his all-around play, and he could be a force in a few years' time.

Penny Hardaway

Career Achievements: 4x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 1994 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 15.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Penny was one of the cornerstones for the Orlando Magic when a young and dominant Shaquille O’Neal was on the team. Hardaway was a 6’7” point guard with terrific handles and passing ability, making him one of the most exciting players to watch of his generation.

Penny never got to reach the superstar level he was expected to reach due to nagging injuries, but he was still a bonafide All-Star with impressive offensive moves. A 4-time All-Star, Penny was one of the best teammates that Shaq ever had and deserves recognition for being on the 100th Anniversary Team.

Alex English

Career Achievements: Hall of Fame, 8x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 1983 Scoring Champion

Career Stats: 21.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG

There is no doubt that Alex English was snubbed from the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. A 6’7” small forward and one of the Denver Nuggets' greatest players, English was a force on the offensive end.

The 8-time All-Star averaged over 25 PPG for 8 straight seasons between 1982 and 1989, winning a scoring title in 1983 when he dropped 28.4 PPG. English was excellent at finishing around the basket and did the bulk of the damage without the presence of the three-point shot. Expect to see English make the NBA 100th Anniversary Team if former players get their recognition.

Trae Young

Career Achievements: 2x All-Star, 2019 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 25.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 9.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Say what you want about Trae Young, but there is no doubt he is an offensive superstar. The 6’1” point guard will be the next version of Stephen Curry because he has unlimited range and is not afraid to attempt difficult shots in big moments.

Beyond being a sharpshooter with incredible handles, Young is an incredible playmaker. He has an innate ability to give his teammates open shots and is probably a better passer than Steph Curry himself. At only age 23 years old, Trae has a lot more to accomplish in his future Hall of Fame career.

Paul George

Career Achievements: 7x All-Star, 6x All-NBA Team Selection, 4x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2013 Most Improved Player, 2019 Steals Champion, 2011 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 20.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Paul George could not quite make the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, but he has a legitimate shot to make the 100th Anniversary Team. The swingman is still one of the best perimeter defenders of his generation and has All-Star caliber offensive skills as well.

PG13 has a host of impressive accolades including multiple All-Star selections and All-Defensive Team selections, and before the end of his career, he has a chance to be in the Hall of Fame. George does a lot of great things on the court, and winning a championship or two with the Clippers could take his legacy to another level.

Jimmy Butler

Career Achievements: 6x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection, 5x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2015 Most Improved Player, 2021 Steals Champion

Career Stats: 17.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Jimmy Butler was not supposed to be on this list. Drafted No. 30 overall, nobody expected a raw swingman to turn into an All-NBA defender and leader of the best team in the Eastern Conference. Jimmy “Buckets” simply worked his tail off to get where he is right now.

There is no doubt that very few players in NBA history compete as hard as Butler does on a nightly basis. He already had 5 All-Defensive Team selections to his name and is continuing to improve his all-around play including his passing ability. If Jimmy can win a title with the Heat and continue to add on All-Star Team appearances, we are looking at a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Dikembe Mutombo

Career Achievements: Hall of Fame, 8x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 6x All-Defensive Team Selection, 4x Defensive Player of the Year, 2x Rebounding Champion, 3x Blocks Champion, 1992 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 9.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 2.8 BPG

One of the greatest shot-blockers ever and a dominant defensive star in his prime, Dikembe Mutombo made the Hall of Fame thanks to his ability to impact the floor at a high level. A 7’2” center with long arms, Mutombo was known for his famous “finger wag” whenever he swatted shots away from the rim.

Dikembe was an All-Star with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers because he knew how to defend the rim better than almost everyone else in history. Climbing Mt. Mutombo was no easy task, and that is why the big man has 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Bernard King

Career Achievements: Hall of Fame, 4x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection, 1985 Scoring Champion, 1978 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 22.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG

An All-Star caliber scorer as a member of the Golden State Warriors and eventually the New York Knicks, Bernard King was one heck of a scorer. The 6’7” small forward did not always make highlight reels when he scored, but he was certainly effective.

Using his frame and length, King was at his best backing down defenders and pulling off lightning-quick jumpers from either side. There is no doubt that King is mainly remembered for dominating the court with the Knicks, leading the NBA in scoring in 1985 (32.9 PPG) and holds the record for the second-most points scored in a Knick uniform with 60 behind Carmelo Anthony (62).

Yao Ming

Career Achievements: Hall of Fame, 8x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team Selection, 2003 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.9 BPG

Yao Ming only played 8 seasons in the NBA because of never-ending foot issues, but he made the All-Star Team every season and completely changed the NBA. Yao brought in millions of avid basketball fans from China, and almost all of them supported Ming and the Houston Rockets.

Beyond being one of the tallest players ever at 7’6”, Yao was a very skilled scorer and rebounder. The Chinese international was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2002 NBA Draft and immediately received All-Rookie Team honors. He would go on to have great success with the Rockets over 8 seasons before his career was cut short by injuries. In terms of impact and skill, Yao deserves recognition for being on the 100th Anniversary Team.

Kyrie Irving

Career Achievements: 2016 NBA Champion, 7x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 2014 All-Star Game MVP, 2012 Rookie of the Year, 2012 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 23.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG

It might be safe to say that Kyrie Irving is the greatest ball-handler ever because he might have even surpassed Allen Iverson and Jamal Crawford in that regard. Irving has the ball on a swivel and does things on a nightly basis that simply cannot be taught.

Irving is a gifted basketball player and scorer, and he continues to improve as the seasons go by. At nearly 30 years old, Kyrie has accomplished a lot in the game including a 2016 NBA championship when he nailed the game-winner over Stephen Curry in Game 7. Irving is a Hall of Famer and deserves to be on the NBA 100th Anniversary Team.

Jayson Tatum

Career Achievements: 3x All-Star, 2020 All-NBA Team Selection, 2018 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 20.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG

In terms of scoring the ball in a variety of ways, perhaps no player outside of Kevin Durant is better than Jayson Tatum right now. The 6’8” forward has immensely improved his ball-handling and shooting, making him unstoppable once he gets a rhythm.

The Celtics star is on his way to becoming one of the best players in the league, and already has some playoff success on his resume at only 24 years old. Tatum is embracing his role as a superstar in this league, and in 25 years time, he will be remembered as one of the game’s greatest scorers with a host of All-Star appearances and other individual accolades.

Zion Williamson

Career Achievements: 2020 All-Star, 2020 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 25.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Zion Williamson absolutely has the talent to make the NBA 100th Anniversary Team, but it is a matter of staying healthy and in shape. After making a splash in his first two seasons, Zion has fallen off the map with injuries and conditioning issues.

It is expected that Zion returns to full health next season because he has the ability to be one of the best players of all-time. A 6’6” forward with tremendous explosiveness, Zion has already begun drawing comparisons to LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal for his ability to dominate the floor with physicality. If Williamson can stay healthy, he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Vince Carter

Career Achievements: 8x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection, 1999 Rookie of the Year, 1999 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 16.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG

One of the NBA’s most popular players, Vince Carter is the greatest on-court dunker we have ever seen. He could elevate and jam over any defender and was a very effective scorer as well. Playing in the NBA from 1999 until 2020, Carter had a long career which included 8 All-Star appearances and the 1999 Rookie of the Year award.

Vince had some team success with the Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, and Orlando Magic; but he could never quite get over the hump as an NBA champion. Still, the explosive scorer averaged over 20 PPG 10 times in his career and most likely deserves a spot on the 100th Anniversary Team.

Pau Gasol

Career Achievements: 2x NBA Champion, 6 All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection, 2002 Rookie of the Year, 2002 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 17.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG

One of the most talented foreign stars ever, Pau Gasol was an extremely skilled big man who combined finesse and size in the post for a long time. The Spaniard made 6 All-Star Teams in his career and won Rookie of the Year after he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2001.

Of course, Gasol is remembered for being Kobe Bryant’s sidekick in Los Angeles when they captured 2 straight championships together. As great as Bryant was as a leader and scorer, there is no way the Lakers win those championships without Gasol and for that, the Spaniard deserves his spot on the NBA 100th Anniversary Team.

Chris Bosh

Career Achievements: Hall of Fame, 2x NBA Champion, 11x All-Star, 2007 All-NBA Team Selection, 2004 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 19.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Chris Bosh won 2 NBA titles with the Miami Heat as the third option on the team, making him one of the most unselfish stars in NBA history. Before Bosh arrived to Miami, he was a 5-time All-Star with the Raptors with tremendous offensive skills.

The 6’11” power forward was a load to handle on the block, because he could get his shots off from mid-range and also from the three-point line. In the post, Bosh was effective at using a soft touch around the rim and also defending at a high level. An 11-time All-Star, Chris Bosh deserves his spot on the 100th Anniversary Team.

Manu Ginobili

Career Achievements: 4x NBA Champion, 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection, 2008 Sixth Man of the Year, 2003 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 13.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG

One of the greatest 6th men in NBA history and an unselfish All-Star talent, Manu Ginobili missed out on his chance to make more All-Star Teams in favor of winning championships with the San Antonio Spurs. Heralded coach Gregg Popovich knew that by bringing Ginobili off the bench, opposing teams could not afford to rest their own stars or risk losing the game.

The Argentinian was not only an elite scorer and passer but was a winner of the highest order who defended and hustled for loose balls in the name of winning. A 4-time NBA champion and Spurs legend, Manu should be in the Hall of Fame very soon and deserves to be respected as a top-100 player of all time.

Tony Parker

Career Achievements: 4x NBA Champion, 2017 Finals MVP, 6x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection, 2002 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 15.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Tony Parker had a tough start to his NBA career, mainly because Gregg Popovich was so hard on the Frenchman. Parker was only 6’2” and weighed 185 lbs, and had to make up for his lack of size by penetrating the rim with speed and agility.

In due time, Parker earned Popovich’s trust and eventually became one of the most successful NBA point guards of all time. Of course, Tim Duncan and Popovich get most of the credit for the Spurs' success, but Parker was one of the best point guards in the NBA during his prime and even won a Finals MVP. The Spurs legend will be a Hall of Famer and should be on the 100th Anniversary Team without a doubt.

Dwight Howard

Career Achievements: 2020 NBA Champion, 8x All-Star, 8x All-NBA Team Selection, 5x All-Defensive Team Selection, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 5x Rebounding Champion, 2x Blocks Champion, 2005 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 15.7 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG

By far the biggest snub of the All-NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Dwight Howard is one of the greatest defensive players ever. The big man captured 3 straight Defensive Player of the Year awards with the Orlando Magic and was the premier center in the NBA for a long time.

An 8-time All-Star and 8-time All-NBA Team performer, Howard was not only the best interior defender in the league for the majority of his prime but a player that a coach can build around. We saw that when Howard led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009. Howard was also a valuable role player for the Lakers when they won the championship in 2020.

Tracy McGrady

Career Achievements: Hall of Fame, 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team Selection, 2x Scoring Champion, 2001 Most Improved Player

Career Stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Another snub from the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Tracy McGrady is one of the best scorers of his generation. T-Mac was an incredibly talented player who could not only rise and shoot over defenders but was an excellent passer as well.

McGrady did not win an NBA title or get a chance to play in the Finals as the best player on his team, but he made 7 All-Star and 7 All-NBA Teams along with winning 2 scoring titles. A 6’8” shooting guard, McGrady was unstoppable to defend against and if it wasn’t for his injuries, we might have been looking at a top-35 player of all time.

Ja Morant

Career Achievements: 2022 All-Star, 2020 Rookie of the Year, 2020 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 21.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Ja Morant has just arrived as a superstar this year, but by the time his career is over, we are looking at possibly the greatest Memphis Grizzlies player ever. Morant is already one of the most explosive guards we have seen, drawing comparisons to the likes of Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

Morant could be a stalwart on the All-NBA First or Second Team going forward because he has elite scoring skills and natural passing ability. Ja has proven to be unstoppable when he has the ball in his hands, and similar to a young Allen Iverson, defenders are struggling to find an answer for him.

Joel Embiid

Career Achievements: 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2017 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 25.8 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 BPG

We could be looking at the league’s MVP currently because Joel Embiid is showing some of the best offensive skills ever for a center. The big man not only scores the ball inside at an elite level but can also drain the outside shot with consistency. A 5-time All-Star, Embiid is one of the best big men of his generation.

For years, critics claimed that the era of dominance big men is “over”, but Embiid has slowly proven that to be false. He is an elite scorer, defender, and improving leader who simply wants to win with the Philadelphia 76ers. A player of Embiid’s skill set does not come around often, and winning an MVP award should be enough to place him on the 100th Anniversary Team with ease.

Nikola Jokic

Career Achievements: 2021 MVP, 4x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 2016 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 19.4 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG

With an MVP award to his name and possibly more on the way, Nikola Jokic is a unique talent at the center position. He is already regarded as the greatest passing big man in NBA history, an impressive compliment for an impressive player.

Nikola does not only bring guard-like passing to the game but also scores the ball inside and outside the paint at an elite level while also hauling down rebounds with consistency. At only 27 years old, Jokic will have a lot more accolades to his name before his career is over and that will be enough to place him on the 100th Anniversary Team.

Draymond Green

Career Achievements: 3x NBA Champion, 4x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection, 6x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, 2017 Steals Champion

Career Stats: 8.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Draymond Green often does not get the respect he deserves because his playing style is not the most attractive and his individual stats are hardly impressive. But he is an impact player that will be a part of NBA history for a long time.

The emotional leader and key defensive enforcer for the Golden State Warriors superteam in the 2010s era, Green had a massive impact on a team that won 3 NBA championships. Without Draymond, the Warriors have little to no defensive presence and fail to impact the league as champions. Green needed superstars around him to make an impact, but his impact was undeniably great nonetheless.

Klay Thompson

Career Achievements: 3x NBA Champion, 5x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection, 2019 All-Defensive Team Selection, 2012 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 19.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

A 3-time NBA champion and possibly the second-greatest shooter in NBA history behind his teammate Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson was one of the biggest snubs of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Even if Klay is not capable of being the best player on a championship team, his achievements are truly great.

Without Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors probably do not win 3 championships in 4 years because his two-way presence made the team unbeatable. The art of shooting was taken to another level by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and the future Hall of Fame shooting guard deserves his spot in the NBA 100th Anniversary Team.

Luka Doncic

Career Achievements: 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection, 2019 Rookie of the Year, 2019 All-Rookie Team Selection

Career Stats: 26.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Luka Doncic is a special talent and is already one of the best players in the world in his 4th season. A triple-double threat with the ability to impact the game at an elite level, Luka has helped the Dallas Mavericks rebuild into a playoff team after the retirement of Dirk Nowitzki.

Doncic will be an MVP candidate for the rest of his career, and it will be scary to imagine how good the Slovenian will be in just a couple of years. In 25 years' time, we are looking at Doncic being a Hall of Famer with a host of individual and probably some team accolades as well. 

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