We need to see more
This group of young players from the last two draft classes has shown enough promise to be mentioned, but not so much that they make the cut.
At this point, Trey Lyles would need to make multiple All-Star games, be a starter on a title team and cure cancer to live up to the role he played in the trade that brought Donovan Mitchell to Utah.
Spoiler alert: It’s not going to happen. That doesn’t change the fact that Lyles has been everything Denver could have possibly hoped for in the deal. He started slow, but since Paul Millsap went down with a torn wrist, Lyles has stepped up his game big time.
Since Dec. 1, Lyles is averaging 14 points and six boards while draining over 42 percent of his shots from long range. Over the full season, the only other player in the NBA putting up those numbers is Kevin Durant.
Lyles is not Durant, nor is he Donovan Mitchell. What he is, though, is the prototypical swing big man for the modern game — someone who can stretch the floor at power forward while also playing center in a pinch if his team needs.
The Nuggets wouldn’t make the trade over again, but it doesn’t mean they can’t reap the benefits of a really good player who is still only 22 years old.
His defense has been borderline elite, but his offensive game thus far has made fellow rookies De’Aaron Fox and Lonzo Ball look like Pete Maravich and Jerry West by comparison. Still, he shows signs every game of being a valuable piece to the puzzle New York is (hopefully) building for the future.
He’s been a different player this year. That being said, Dunn might still top out as a league-average point guard. The improvement alone means he needs to be mentioned.
Taurean Prince and John Collins
This unsexy Atlanta duo at least gives the Hawks some semblance of a core to work with moving forward. Collins is going to be a pain in the butt to play against for a long time. Prince, meanwhile, is a 6’8″ wing shooting 39 percent from deep and playing solid defense. Those types of guys aren’t exactly growing on trees these days.
Bam Adabayo
His name is Bam, which alone should be enough, but even aside from that, he’s been really good for the Heat, especially since he’s gotten more playing time since the end of November. There’s a reason Whiteside’s name will continue to come up in trade talks.
Last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, Brogdon isn’t ever going to be a star, but the level of two-way competence he’ll bring to the floor night in and night out means he has to be here.