This is shaping up to be an interesting class. Going in, the class was supposed to be incredibly deep but lacking that franchise talent, but Fultz was close. The class is living up to the deep billing, but Fultz is looking more and more like a bust.
1. Tatum- Goes without saying. His shot wasn't falling in the early going but it's clear he's improved his overall game. He looks to facilitate more.
2. Donovan Mitchell: Big riser, though I think he's like 90% of the way to his ceiling. He's already really good and like Tatum, is looking to facilitate more.
3. De'Aaron Fox: I almost wanted to put him 2nd but I'm being conservative due to it being 11 games. He's taken a huge step forward this year and has improved in pretty much every area of the game. There were certain polls done last year and while Fox didn't rank out the highest, he was voted the most likely to be a generational talent. If he keeps it up, by the end of the year, he could be 1.
4. Lonzo Ball: He could easily by higher depending on if you think his early shooting performance is due to improvement. Hard to get a measure on how he's improved in other areas because of the LeBron James factor.
5. Dennis Smith: Also ooks to have improved his shooting in the early going but hasn't shown improvement elsewhere yet. His assist rate is down considerably but part of that is due to Doncic.
6. Lauri Markkanen: Hasn't played yet this season but he had a really good year last year and fits into today's NBA really well.
After this, it gets more iffy and into personal preference/bias because it's still too early to know.
7. Zach Collins: Rim protecting stretch big who's made considerable gains this summer.
8. Kuzma
9. Ntilikina
10. Isaac
11. Jarrett Allen
12. Monk
13. John Collins
14. Josh Hart
Can easily make cases for Bam, OG, Josh Jackson and others too though. Tons of talent.
1. Tatum- Goes without saying. His shot wasn't falling in the early going but it's clear he's improved his overall game. He looks to facilitate more.
2. Donovan Mitchell: Big riser, though I think he's like 90% of the way to his ceiling. He's already really good and like Tatum, is looking to facilitate more.
3. De'Aaron Fox: I almost wanted to put him 2nd but I'm being conservative due to it being 11 games. He's taken a huge step forward this year and has improved in pretty much every area of the game. There were certain polls done last year and while Fox didn't rank out the highest, he was voted the most likely to be a generational talent. If he keeps it up, by the end of the year, he could be 1.
4. Lonzo Ball: He could easily by higher depending on if you think his early shooting performance is due to improvement. Hard to get a measure on how he's improved in other areas because of the LeBron James factor.
5. Dennis Smith: Also ooks to have improved his shooting in the early going but hasn't shown improvement elsewhere yet. His assist rate is down considerably but part of that is due to Doncic.
6. Lauri Markkanen: Hasn't played yet this season but he had a really good year last year and fits into today's NBA really well.
After this, it gets more iffy and into personal preference/bias because it's still too early to know.
7. Zach Collins: Rim protecting stretch big who's made considerable gains this summer.
8. Kuzma
9. Ntilikina
10. Isaac
11. Jarrett Allen
12. Monk
13. John Collins
14. Josh Hart
Can easily make cases for Bam, OG, Josh Jackson and others too though. Tons of talent.