LeBron believes Ant, SGA can 'continue the torch' when he retires

Lakers star was looking forward to playing with the two young stars.

Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are two players LeBron James believes can “continue the torch” when his era of stars inevitably retire.

During an interview with the NBA on TNT crew ahead of the All-Star Game Sunday, Kenny Smith asked the Los Angeles Lakers star which players he was most excited about playing with at the All-Star Game. 

Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander were the first two players he mentioned.

“I would say Shai, Ant Man, I feel like those are two of the guys that can continue the torch after I’m done, after Steph (Curry), [Kevin Durant], the guys that have just been setting the standard for so many years,” James told Smith. “Shai — and Ant Man has the charisma, I love that. [Jayson Tatum] on the other side, so he’s not in my locker room cause he’s on the East, but JT as well, Luka (Doncic), and those young guys are amazing, so looking forward to seeing those guys go out and show the talent they’re capable of.”

It's easy to understand why the NBA's all-time leading scorer was looking forward to playing with Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander, who are two of the most exciting young players in the league. Edwards averages 26.3 points, 5.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game for the Timberwolves, who sit atop the West standings.

Gilgeous-Alexander, meanwhile, is second in the league with 31.1 points per game and also averages 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds per contest for an Oklahoma City Thunder team that’s just a game and a half back of the Timberwolves in the West standings.

Ultimately, James, Edwards, Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Western Conference All-Stars fell 211-186 to the East in the All-Star Game.  

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) hug after the game at Target Center in Minneapolis on March 31, 2023 :: Matt Krohn / USA TODAY Sports