The next faces of the NBA have arrived who will take the mantle?

SAN ANTONIO — A year ago, Victor Wembanyama had a breakthrough game against the Knicks.Forty points and 20 rebounds.Three months ago, he captivated MSG on Christmas.Forty-two points and 18 rebounds.At All-Star weekend last month, he was dubbed the front-runner for the next face of the NBA.On Wednesday night at the Frost Bank Center versus the Knicks again?An 11th consecutive DNP and a hazy future.Wembanyama remains out indefinitely with a blood clot in his right shoulder, an issue that ended his season, snatched away his chances for Defensive Player of the Year and left questions about his ability to carry the league, as seemed preordained just a few weeks ago.“He’s one of a kind — a generational talent and a remarkable person,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.The good news is the Spurs are expressing optimism that the center will be back soon.As acting head coach Mitch Johnson said, “There is no reason to believe he won’t be ready to go starting next season.”But blood clots are scary and availability was always the top concern for a 7-foot-4 center.For the Knicks, Wembanyama’s absence meant they faced a depleted and tanking franchise on Wednesday night.

Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Gregg Popovich are all done for the season.The Spurs had dropped 10 of 14 before playing New York.

If they somehow luck into Cooper Flagg, the draft lottery should just be renamed, “You’re Welcome, Spurs.”For the NBA, Wemby’s health concerns piled on problematic issues of star availability and finding the heir apparent to LeBron James and Steph Curry.Already, four candidates to carry the torch have missed the 65-game cutoff to be eligible for postseason awards — Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson and Wembanyama.So who, if anybody, will become the face of the league when LeBron and Curry are no longer around?Here’s a quick look at seven candidates.The only criteria is the player has to be 27 years old or younger (Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmp...