The NBA is an organization that is already completely stacked with talent. Players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry and Russel Westbrook may make people question exactly how much room there is left for younger players to stake a claim as a star. I'd like to bring to your attention 5 players who may not quite be stars yet, but show us that the next generation of players are going to be a force to reckon with.
Jaren Jackson Jr
The Grizzlies drafted Jaren Jackson with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft. While he may not be as heralded a talent as players like Luka Doncic or Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson is a great pick for Memphis. Jackson is exactly what the modern NBA big man should be. He can lock down the paint, reject shots, execute as a pick and roller or a pick and popper and he can space the floor with consistent 3 point shooting. With the talent vacancy Memphis has at the 4 spot and Marc Gasol aging, Jackson gives all of us hope for the future of the franchise.
Deandre Ayton
Obviously we need to talk about the number one overall pick, Deandre Ayton. A consensus number one draft pick, the Suns might have grabbed the perfect player to bring success back to Phoenix. We all know Devin Booker is an incredible talent, but basketball is a team sport. Who better to pair up with a sharpshooter like Booker than a classic glass cleaning big man like Ayton? In college Ayton averaged about 11 rebounds per game, 4 offensive rebounds, about 20 points and 2 blocks? Surrounded with new talent in Phoenix like Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson, and the recent departure of Alex Len, Ayton has a lot to prove as the number one pick and he has every chance of having a great rookie season.
Lauri Markkanen
Lauri Markkanen came in as rookie last year for Chicago and immediately made a difference. With the modern pace and space movement in the NBA, the Bulls needed help behind the 3 point line. Markkanen came in and broke the NBA record for fewest games played to reach 100 made 3 point shots. Totaling up to about 37% from behind the 3 point line, Markkanen did stellar on the offensive end. However, his defense was shown to be at least a little porous. That is where I predict Markkanen to make the biggest overall difference to his game and what is going to take him to the next level as an NBA player. His length gives him potential to become a prolific shot blocker and that talent is something he has already started developing(i.e. spiking the ball back into Steph Curry's face on a layup attempt).
Fred VanVleet
This guy is way under rated as it stands, and with all eyes on Kawhi Leonard and Toronto this year, I think VanVleet is going to have the chance to shine a little bit brighter. Coming off the bench in Toronto, he averaged 9 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists on 13 minutes of play while maintaining a PER of about 13. This is going to be Freddie's third year in the league and he is showing the ability to be an upper-level floor general. What makes his game even more impressive is taking all of this into consideration how small he is. He is listed at 6'0 but he looks closer to 5'10. He shot a little over 40% from deep last year and had an effective field goal percentage of just about 53%. His tough, gritty and I think the addition of a talent like Kawhi Leonard is only going to make him better.
Doug McDermott
McDermott is probably the biggest risk I'm taking on this list. Drafted in 2014, McDermott is now on his 5th NBA team with the Indiana Pacers. However, Indiana is team that has been quietly building themselves up into legitimate Eastern Conference contenders. Do they stand a chance to contend with Boston or Golden State? No. However, McDermott is a deep ball threat that will absolutely thrive in Indiana. Spacing himself off of players like Bojan Bogdanovic and Victor Oladipo, McDermott will be able to put his career 40% 3 point shooting to great use. Also, McDermott has been steadily improving his defense. I am quite comfortable saying that he is no longer a defensive liability as he is taking every stride to become a legitimate 2 way player.
