NBA: 10 relative unknowns entering defining seasons in 2017-18

10. Nik Stauskas

As yet another victim of being drafted by the Sacramento Kings during the last decade, Nik Stauskas has yet to find his NBA niche. It seemed like he might be on to something with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, when he put up 9.5 points in 27.4 minutes per game while shooting 36.8 percent from 3-point range — all career highs.

Unfortunately, the Sixers are flush with talent in the backcourt now, which could seriously limit Stauskas’ role as the Process takes shape. Markelle Fultz is going to get plenty of touches off the ball, while sharpshooters like J.J. Redick and Furkan Korkmaz represent direct (and most likely, superior) competition for his minutes at the 2.

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Though Stauskas showed signs of progress in Philly last year, he never really blew anyone away on a talent-starved team either. He has yet to shoot better than 40 percent from the floor through his first three seasons in the league, his role on offense is about to be severely reduced and he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer.

Redick is only on a one-year deal and Korkmaz is just a rookie, but the writing is already on the wall for Nik Stauskas. The question is, how long will it take him to find a new NBA home if he’s unable to firmly entrench himself in Brett Brown’s rotation this year?