NBA: Ranking The Young Stars

Honorable mentions (continued)

7) Zach LaVine

Statistics: 20.4ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg (shooting 46.8 percent from the field, 40.9 percent on threes)

Count me as one of the small (but increasingly growing) minority of people who believe LaVine has surpassed Wiggins in terms of both potential and this season’s contributions. LaVine has made remarkable progress developing his game, and he is no longer simply known as a dunk machine.

LaVine has improved his scoring (14.8 ppg in 2015-16) while improving his efficiency at the same time (career high 59.2 true shooting percentage this season). Also, LaVine has improved his three-point shooting to a career high 40.9 percent, making him a serious threat from behind the arc.

Finally, unlike Wiggins, LaVine isn’t depending too much on his athleticism, which is a good sign for his career and game style moving forward.

6) Jabari Parker

Statistics: 20.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.6 apg (shooting 49.8 percent from the field, 41.4 percent on threes)

Leaving Parker out of the top five was extremely difficult, as he has shown tremendous improvement in year three of his career.

Like LaVine, Parker has made significant strides as a scorer (up from 14.1 ppg last season) without sacrificing efficiency (career high 57.1 true shooting percentage this season). Parker has even developed a decent three-point shot, shooting a career high behind the arc.

The major concern with Parker moving forward is his defense at the power forward position. Parker has a -1.3 DBPM and a -1.57 defensive real plus-minus.

If Parker can improve to league average defensively while continuing to improve as a secondary option on offense, he will be one of the best frontcourt players in the league in no time.