Youth movement and Europeans transition the NBA into a new era in 2024 and beyond.
Oklahoma City has built a roster of young talent poised to be a threat for years to come.
(Image via BVN Sports)
Being such a player-centric league, the history of the NBA can be categorized by the stars that dominated their era. When you think of the 80’s you equate it with Magic and Bird, the 90’s= Jordan, 00’s Kobe, 10’s LeBron/Steph, etc. What do all these players have in common? Besides their dominance on the court, they are all charismatic, bright, and intense personalities that are etched into the fabric of Americana. The NBA has relied on American-born players to bring the league to new heights decade after decade with their on and off the court charisma. As we enter 2024, it is clear that the NBA is entering a new era of basketball driven by international talent and a social media savvy youth movement. Who will be the NBA rely on to be the next Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, etc. in terms of marketing the game? It may take a new strategy that is more team focused or a mix of players to equal that of one Jordan in terms of growing the game. Currently, the best player in the world could not be more different than the players I mentioned. The Serbian born, 2-time MVP and reigning NBA Champion Nikola Jokic has quietly put together one of the most impressive resumes in the league and is still dominating, yet he is hardly a household name like the superstars that brought the NBA where it is now. Jokic not only isn’t a household name, but he has shown a clear lack of interest in becoming one. The NBA clearly can’t rely on it’s strategy of the past, but there is still plenty of other ways for the NBA to continue to grow going into 2024. The top talent in the league has overwhelmingly become international players, which may be exactly what the NBA needs to develop the game to new heights. Not only are the best players in the league overpoweringly international, but there is also a youth movement in some NBA cities that could make entire teams marketable for the next decade or more. Take for example the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their stockpiling of draft picks over the past several years has now led to a contender that is also one of the youngest teams in the league. Led by Canadian born and social media savvy Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team has attracted new fans well outside of Oklahoma with their exiting young core. While the Thunder do have a marque superstar in Gilgeous-Alexander, they are a team to look out for with one of the fastest growing and youngest fan-bases in the league.
The NBA has and will continue to look different in the ‘20’s in comparison to any other era of the league. While many are nostalgic for the past, the bottom line is the NBA is bigger than it ever has been before, and international growth may be a factor in that. Expect the trajectory of the NBA to continue to skyrocket in 2024 despite it’s new path.