NBA Starting 5 of the Future

The NBA has a very bright future.

Obviously, when you have superstars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, as well as legends like Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant (once he returns) still playing, your league is going to be in decent shape. But there is a plethora of talent that is set to take over as the next wave of superstars in the league. With that being said, let’s take a look at the starting five of potential future stars in the NBA.

SPOILER ALERT: This article will look to highlight guys who are not necessarily household names, and for the most part, have not established themselves as stars in the league quite yet. So obvious names like Stepenh Curry, James Harden, Paul George, et al. will not be on this list because they have pretty much established themselves as stars in the league already.

[tps_title]PG: John Wall, Washington Wizards[/tps_title]

A lot of people would probably pick Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard as the future of the point guard position in the league. But John Wall has not been too shabby himself in his short career, especially this current season. Yes, Irving and Lillard are great talents, but Wall has all the tools to be one of, if not the best, point guard in the Association.

After signing a five-year extension worth $80 million last offseason, Wall has lived up to the expectations of his contract. He is having a career year, experiencing highs across the board in most statistical categories. The University of Kentucky product is averaging nearly 20 points, nine assists and just under two steals per game. John Wall is shooting a respectable 80 percent from the free-throw line and a career-high 36 percent from behind the arc. Wall’s improved jumper has made him one of the most difficult covers in the league, because not only can he beat anyone to the basket with lighting quickness, but now he can also knock down a jump shot on a consistent basis.

Wall has been rewarded for his great play this season, being named to his first NBA All-Star team. Also, Wall has helped lead the Wizards to their first playoff appearance since 2008 and the days of Gilbert “Hibachi” Arenas. Wall also participated in his first slam dunk contest, which he won during NBA All-Star Weekend in February.

Overall, Wall is the perfect mix of the new age and classic point guard, as he is equally capable of scoring and setting his teammates up. So while many would take Irving and Lillard over him, Wall has proven this year that he can be just as good, if not better, than both Irving and Lillard.

[tps_title]SG: DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors[/tps_title]

The shooting guard position is preparing to exit a golden age, as several of the best at the position are starting to wind down. One of the G.O.A.T.s (Greatest of All Time) Kobe Bryant, is preparing to hang ‘em up in a few seasons, and Dwyane Wade has not been the man that we have known affectionately as “Flash” for the past few seasons. Houston’s James Harden has assumed the role as best shooting guard in the league, but he has largely established himself as a star in this league. So after him, what young player has the potential to be the next great shooting guard in the league?

Enter: DeMar DeRozan

The Toronto Raptors have been one of the better surprises of the season, and DeRozan has been a big reason why. DeRozan, like a lot of the guys on this list, is having a career year. He is averaging better than 22 points, more than four rebounds and four assists per game. His play, combined with the elite play of point guard Kyle Lowry, have been a big reason why the Raptors are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Currently, the Raptors are sitting in the third spot in the east, and they have all but locked up home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. With the recent struggles of the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, the Raptors will be a very interesting team to watch in the playoffs, especially if DeRozan continues to play the way that he has. Who would have thought that the Raptors would be in the position that they are currently in after trading away Rudy Gay midway through the season.

Out of all the shooting guards in the league who are not named Kobe, Wade or Harden, DeMar DeRozan probably has the brightest future at the position.

[tps_title]SF: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs[/tps_title]

The two best players in the league are small forwards. There aren’t too many guys at any position who can guard either LBJ or KD, but Kawhi Leonard is on a very short list of players that can frustrate the hell out of both. And that is just the start of what makes him such an intriguing potential star.

Playing with the Big Fundamental, Tony Parker and Manu GINOBILI (Charles Barkley voice), you would think that Kawhi is at best the Spurs’ fourth most valuable player. But au contraire, my friend.

Remember that franchise record 19-game winning streak the Spurs just went on? Guess when it started. That’s right, when Kawhi Leonard returned from injury. And that is just the start of the value that Leonard has to the Spurs.

Quiet in nature, Kawhi fits the bill of a Gregg Popovich-coached player. But Kawhi’s play on the court is anything but quiet. The third-year three-man out of San Diego State does not put up gaudy numbers, but he is very consistent and steady. Leonard is averaging 12 points and six boards per game this season, but his biggest impact on the game is felt on the defensive end of the court. Leonard is responsible for defending a team’s best perimeter offensive threat, which includes the two best players in the world. Flexibility and versatility are what make Kawhi a potential star in this league.

With the careers of the Big 3 of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili winding down, the franchise will soon be looking for new leadership. Next up in line: young Kawhi Leonard.

[tps_title]PF: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans[/tps_title]

Out of all the positions, this one is probably the easiest to pick. The only difficulty is deciding what you consider Davis to be; either a power forward or a center. For all intents and purposes, we’ll say he is a four instead of a five, for now.

Depending on who you ask, Anthony Davis might already be in some people’s top 10 in the league. But at the very least, Davis has to be in the conversation for best big men in the league. Not only is Davis averaging a double-double (almost 21 points and 10 boards a game) this season, he is also one of the league’s stingiest post defenders, averaging nearly three blocks per game. What makes Davis so scary, aside from his dominant game on both ends of the floor, is the fact that he is just in his second year in the league, and he has taken a major jump from his first year to his second. In his rookie season, Davis was solid, averaging over 13 points, eight and a half rebounds and nearly two blocks per contest. But Davis has gone from a solid looking NBA player to the next potentially great big man in the league in the course of just one year. If the New Orleans Pelicans are able to have a full season with all of their weapons healthy, they will undoubtedly be a playoff team for years to come, and Davis will lead the charge.

The only issue that Davis could potentially run into is staying healthy. He has had some trouble with injuries in his first two years, and still with a slight frame (he weighs just 220 pounds), he will be susceptible to injuries because of his banging in the post. But if he can manage to stay healthy, Davis won’t just be a part of the “future at each position” conversation, but he will be a guy that will be in the conversation for best player in the league.

[tps_title]C: DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings[/tps_title]

There are not too many traditional centers in the game anymore. But DeMarcus Cousins is a prototypical big man, and a damn good one early on his career.

Averaging over 22 points, over 11 boards and a block plus per game this season, Cousins, like Davis, has the potential to be in the top 10 conversation as of right now. But the problem with Boogie Cousins is that for one, he does not play on a winning team (the Kings have just 27 wins on the season). Also, Cousins has been looked at as a bit of a headache to coach. He has already been suspended multiple times by the Kings and the league, and he has been a guy accused of having attitude problems as well.

Honestly, Cousins would probably be better served going to a team and situation with a veteran locker room and coach to help him grow and mature, but that will most likely not happen anytime soon, as Cousins signed a four-year contract extension last offseason worth $62 million.

Cousins might not lead the Kings to a playoff appearance during his time with the team, but he will probably continue to be one of the most dominant players in the league statistically. If he does manage to get to a better situation, though, watch out.

With the five guys presented in this article, and all of the other young talent across the league and preparing to enter the league in June, the NBA is in a good place, and there are several players ready to take the next step to stardom.

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