Transporting NBA stars to different eras has always been one of the most heated areas of debate among fans. Not even Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James and Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant are spared from chopping it up on NBA eras.

KD posted a simple question on Twitter: Which NBA centers from the 90s era would translate in the modern game?

Durant answered his own question with three Hall-of-Fame picks.

LeBron James gave his own three-man list. The Lakers star swapped out Patrick Ewing for Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon for his answer.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after a three point shot against the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter during game five of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Bill Simmons drops Lakers conspiracy theory to give Knicks fans hopeJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James, Luka Doncic give Lakers their own unique 2-timeline issueAnthony Irwin ·
Feb 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
NBA rumors: LeBron James, James Harden potential free agency departures unlikelyZachary Draves ·
timberwolves, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
1 player Minnesota Timberwolves must trade in 2025 offseasonGarrett Kerman ·
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts to his team losing the lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Lakers’ JJ Redick link up with Les Snead at Rams campMiguel La Torre ·
image thumbnail
Sources: Lakers split on trading core playersAnthony Irwin ·

The question is certainly an intriguing one for today's NBA. The 90s were an era defined by back-to-the-basket play that put a premium on acquiring a hulking superstar center. With the renewed focus on mobility and outside shooting, there may be a few stars from yesteryear who wouldn't be as effective today.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/34ocYBAYRNQiTnnPfkOCwr?si=432c452219574b0d

With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic winning the last four MVP awards, and Joel Embiid serving as the runner-up to both of them, the big man is once again in vogue. Other guys like Lakers star Anthony Davis, when healthy, and Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns represent the new prototype of what it takes to succeed in the NBA as a big man.

But some players simply transcend eras. LeBron James and Kevin Durant are two examples of that. We'll never know which stars would translate best in today's NBA, but it's safe to say a few of them would still dominate in any era.