NBA: 10 relative unknowns approaching defining seasons in 2018-19

6. Kyle Anderson, Memphis Grizzlies

Kyle Anderson has already proven himself as a capable defender with one of the league’s perennially stingy defenses, but after the Memphis Grizzlies pried him away with a four-year, $37.2 million overpay, will he live up to the hype and finally deliver that long-awaited breakout season?

Once seen as another typical late first round draft steal for the San Antonio Spurs, “Slow Mo”‘s development has been befitting of his nickname. After four years in the league, Anderson is coming off a “career year” in which he averaged 7.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, starting in 67 of his 74 appearances for a 47-win Spurs team.

Anderson has proven he can be more than a decent spot starter on a good basketball team, but is he worthy of that kind of investment? Can he learn how to shoot, or become a secondary playmaker, or become such a stifling defensive presence he ingrains himself with the Grit-N-Grind culture? The upcoming season will provide a good look at what he can do with heightened responsibility.