The NBA has finally found young stars to replenish the superstars that are, frankly, regressing in their old age, meaning it is only a matter of time a new generation takes over. Players like LeBron, Chris Paul, and Steph Curry are all in their mid-to-late 30s, meaning retirement is coming soon. Fear none, however, as the top 25 under 25 is an elite company to replace these hall of famers.
1. Luka Doncic
No brainer. Luka exhibits generational playmaking ability and an unprecedented level of craftiness that shadows his subpar athleticism. A walking 30 point triple-double, 6’7 point GOD was the obvious choice for the best under 25.
2. Jayson Tatum
Tatum, being the most experienced in the playoffs on this list, comes in at the number 2 slot. Learning from his mentor Kobe Bryant, Tatum has an endless bag of elite moves to pull from, making him one of the more lethal iso scorers in the NBA. His potential is there for him to ascend to an MVP/FMVP level, but he is not quite there due to factors like a poor shot selection.
3. Trae Young
A top 5 offensive player in the league, lackluster defense is the only thing holding Ice Trae back on this list. His vision and passing ability are second to none in the NBA, combined with his limitless range 3 pointers makes him lethal, especially in the pick and roll with his counterpart John Collins. More on that later.
4. Devin Booker
Mr. 70 points, Devin Booker is 1b to Tatum on this list as an isolation scorer. His limitations lie in a lack of distinciton in playmaking, rebounding, or defense. All of the greats can do at least two things at a high level, and it seems Booker has not yet developed that second attribute. Still, Booker looks to lead a new look Suns team to the playoffs as the number 1 option in 2021.
5. Donovan Mitchell
After a stellar playoff battle with Jamal Murray in the first round, Mitchell proved why he should have got the nod over Ben Simmons as his career has progressed. Mitchell has practically been the number 1 option since his rookie year, with the Jazz making the playoffs each year. Mitchell looks to take the next step into superstardom in 2021 after providing flashes of consistent 40 point output in the first round of the playoffs.
6. Jaylen Brown
Many analysts are now realizing just how miniscule the gap between Tatum and Brown really is. If you only watched the 2020 playoffs, you wouldn’t know which one was better. Brown has ascended greatly over the past few years, increasing his scoring output by nearly 10 ppg. The most consistent player on a perennial contender in Boston, Brown looks to be one of the better two-way players in the NBA.
7. Ja Morant
The rookie of the year looks to burrow the Grizzlies out of mediocrity, surrounded by an ascending young core. Similar to Trae Young, Morant has all-nba passing vision that was apparent ever since his stunt at Murray State. Add elite vision to lethal athleticism and a swift first step and you’ve built a matchup nightmare. Morant still has to develop and mature as an NBA player over these next few developmental years but his potential is all-nba.
8. Jamal Murray
Following a stellar playoff duel with Donovan Mitchell and an improbable run to the WCF, Murray is hindered by his own team’s prowess. As the second option behind Nikola Jokic, Murray cannot be as ball dominant to produce stellar assist and point totals. Still, its clear that Murray has the potential to be a potent combo guard in the future for the Nuggets, adding to their already bright future.
9. Bam Adebayo
While many would have him higher on this list, especially following his production in the ECF against the Celtics, Adebayo benefitted greatly from the lack of interior presence on the Celtics and crafty playmaking ability of Goran Dragic. Despite this, he showed his ability to pass the ball at a high level to add onto his defensive prowess. Adebayo likely could not be a first option on a successful team, but has the potential to be a great complementary piece to a generational talent… perhaps James Harden 👀.
10. Brandon Ingram
Poor-mans Kevin Durant. That is a spot on comparison considering the shared stringy frame and the elite shooting ability as near 7 footers. Ingram still has to develop defensively and as a playmaker, but through the first few games of the 2020-21 season, Ingram has looked like the clear cut number one option on the Pelicans, with Zion Williamson taking a backseat in shot totals and usage rate.
11. Domantas Sabonis
Sabonis has gone from last year’s unlikely all-star to this year’s potential breakout star. Sabonis is similar to Jokic in play style, both being excellent passers and relying on craftiness and skill rather than athleticism. Look for Sabonis to move up this list as the season wanes on.
12. Ben Simmons
As a 6’10 point guard, Simmons main value is in his size and passing vision. However, regarding Simmons potential, he has failed to develop thus far. He cannot shoot at all, allowing defenses to back off, making him a much less effective playmaker. Simmons may succeed if he was surrounded by pieces like Giannis has been, however he has not been built around and has failed to adapt to his situation. Still, Simmons is a natural talent that deserves to be on this list as a nightly triple double threat.
13. Zion Williamson
Zion had an incredible rookie season, albeit short via injuries, averaging 22.5 ppg and 6.3 rpg on a limited 27 minutes per game. His shot is inconsistent and he doesn’t take care of the basketball very well, but he is the energizer bunny of the Pelicans and has massive potential as a 2nd year player. A 285 pounder with a 40 inch vertical gives him a physical advantage on nearly every opponent, but also implies a potential injury issue in the future.
14. Collin Sexton
Sexton averaged an under-the-radar 20.8 ppg last year, and through 7 games in 2020-21 has shot up to 25.7 ppg. While this may be victim to small sample size and lack of alternative scoring options, Sexton has shown his scoring proficiency to be greater than initially believed coming out of the draft. Sexton is more of a 2-guard, as his ball distribution is average at best, but his potential as a 2-way top scoring option puts him among elite company.
15. Dearron Fox
The speedster who dusted Lonzo Ball in college and has not looked back, Fox has showed promise for a Kings team deprived of hope since Demarcus Cousins. Fox has put up impressive stats as a 3rd year player, with 21.1 ppg and 6.8 apg, but has still not passed into stardom territory. He is still young with tons of potential, especially if he works on a more consistent jumpshot, which only connected on 29% of 3 point attempts last year.
16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA was victim of the Paul George acquisition by the Clippers, and is likely to have little team success on the Thunder as they have embraced the rebuild with a deep assortment of draft capital. Still, SGA is a lengthy combo guard with solid scoring ability and an above average jumpshot who could put up big numbers being the number one option in OKC. Look for SGA to add more playmaking to his game, as he only averaged a measly 3.3 assists per game last year.
17. John Collins
A constant lob threat, a perfect pair for Trae Young, Collins is a good athletic big in the NBA. While he isn’t a shot creator or overly skilled in the post or face-up game, his athleticism allows for Collins to anchor the paint and give Trae Young an easy outlet for two points, especially in the pick and roll. Collins ceiling is not incredibly higher than where he already is, but who is complaining about 21.6 ppg and 10.2 rpg?
18. Tyler Herro
As a large piece of the cinderella story of the NBA playoffs, Herro showed that he is more than an elite shooter. Herro showed that he has the ability to create his own shot and knock down clutch shot after clutch shot. He also showed his potential to be an elite rebounder at the guard position and showed flashes of playmaking ability. Still, Herro is still the number 3 or 4 option on the Miami Heat so his usage and attention drawn is much less than those ranking above him on this list.
19. Michael Porter Jr.
At an athletic 6’10 shooting a career 42% from the 3, Porter Jr. has one of the highest potentials on this list. He fell down draft boards after injury concerns in college, but the Nuggets truly got a steal at pick 14. His ability to create his own shot and make tough shots late in the shot clock is elite, but sometimes his immense ability leads Porter to take lower percentage shots in isolation. Still, Porter is averaging close to 20 ppg so far this year and continues to have a bigger role in a developing Nuggets squad.
20. D’Angelo Russell
The former Laker, Russell is crafty, typical of a lefty combo guard. His trouble lies in that he is just above average at seemingly everything, shooting 34% from 3 and averaging 6 assists and 21 points per night. These stats are borderline all-star level, but Russell will have to perform at a superstar level in at least one aspect of the game to take the next step and propel the young Timberwolves team to a potential playoff spot alongside KAT.
21. Deandre Ayton
The former number 1 overall pick, Deandre Ayton has not necessarily lived up to the hype coming out of Arizona. As a 7’0, 250 pound big, Ayton has great potential as a post up player and pick and roll threat. Last year Ayton was hindered by his teammates, as many of his post-up opportunities were passed up on by his teammates for contested threes. It’ll be interesting to see his progress with the newly acquired pass-first guard Chris Paul.
22. Jaren Jackson Jr.
Unfortunately plagued by injury as of recent, many have forgotten the impact JJJ has had on the Grizzlies. Last year, Jackson Jr. averaged 17.4 ppg on almost 40% shooting from 3-point land. Jackson has immense potential on offense, but to truly cement himself as an all-star in the NBA, Jackson will have to increase his rebounding production, as he only averages 4.6 rebounds per game.
23. Myles Turner
A player I was hoping the Celtics would trade for to make the East more interesting, Myles Turner is a monster in the paint defensively with offensive upside. So far this year, Turner is averaging an astounding 4.1 blocks per game. He cannot quite carry a team to a playoff spot, but he has the potential to be the defensive anchor on the number 1 defensive team in the NBA. Look for Turner to go to a team with established scoring options to fully maximize his potential.
24. Lonzo Ball
One of the most hyped prospects ever, Lonzo hasn’t lived up to the retired number expectations. However, he has still become a consistent triple double threat and one of the best passers in the league with an improving jumpshot.
25. Donte DiVincenzo
The most under appreciated player in the league, Donte DiVincenzo scorches defenses night in and night out. As of now, he looks to be the next Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford as a lethal 6th man scorer. He has potential, however, to be a solid 3rd option on a deep playoff team if he progresses and improves his shot-creation ability.
