Which sophomores will make a major leap this year?

[LakersSoul]

The 2017 draft class was historic.

We had stars/potential stars everywhere from Lonzo, Tatum, Markkanen to Mitchell at the top of the 1st round picks; and OG, Kuzma, Hart in the bottom of the 1st round. There are others that could make a huge jump this year from Fultz to DSJ to Zach/John Collins to injured Giles.

Queston:
Which 2 sophomores will make a major leap this year?

For me, I think the Laker's Lonzo Ball will make the biggest jump. I think he easily averages 13.5/9/8 which are better than Jason Kidd's career numbers. Lonzo has really bulked up and after a successful surgery, he should be fully healthy. Not only did he work on his body and shooting game, but he has taken that up a notch by going with a weekly film sessions with Magic.

Lonzo is going to be bigger and stronger. He will easily improve his finishes at the rim and improve the outside shooting. He will get a lot more assists per game with LeBron and better shooters around him. After this year, people will realize that Lonzo is a big, big star.

The other guy that I think will make a big jump is Markkanen. He is so deadly from the 3 and he attacks the rim and rebounds extremely well. After a year and over the summer, I expect him to come out super strong this year.

Do you guys have any predictions?

[Mich3006]

For me, it´s Dennis Smith.

With LeBron on the team I doubt the "8" in your 13.5/9/8 prediction...

[Baz]

I think Lonzo will start to really show his potential with LeBron on the team. He'll raise his game.

[SOUL]

Isaac!

[Mr Peanut]

And along comes every homer mentioning their sophomore...

In saying that, I vote Luke Kennard.

[PKABOOICU]

I voted Markannen. He surprised a lot of us last year, and I think he will take the biggest leap going forward. Mitchell will take a smaller leap because he was already way above what was expected of him last year.

[cl2117]

If we are talking about who is going to have the biggest leap I think my top 2 from that list are Josh Jackson and and Fultz, but Harry Giles I think is the biggest name that isn't on there.

Jackson was disappointing in summer league, but I think he'll settle back in once the season starts and he's got a smaller role (plus a nice influx of talent to round out the squad). Defensively you knew his athleticism was going to be a huge advantage and I think that showed last year, but offensively he was really rough to start off the year. He turned it on post all-star break and gave a glimpse of what he could be. I think he continues to build off that and hopefully for Suns fans has a similar development trajectory to Jaylen Brown (who I often compared him to pre-draft).

I think Fultz just by default will have the biggest jump. Just being on the floor will be huge for him. He definitely showed he has some playmaking chops when he did get limited minutes, so there's definitely talent there. It really comes down to his mental state and his shot. Hopefully the media circus around him dies down a bit and he can hit his stride. He's got a really good team around him so I think he's going to have plenty of opportunities to shine, but who knows.

Giles, like Fultz, is going to make a big jump just by default. The hype is real in Sacramento and Giles looks like he's a healthy streak away from being this year's Ben Simmons (HE'S NOT A ROOKIE!!!). I was hoping Ainge would find a way to stash him last year and MPJ this year. I think these guys are worth the draft assets. Top 5 draft talents.

DSJ and John Collins would all be honorable mentions for me. The Mavs got a ton better and DSJ is going to have some pieces to work with as a faciliator and if healthy get some chances to make some highlight reels. Collins has flat out impressed me thus far and I think he's going to get more hype this season (he'll outshine Trae Young in my opinion).

I've almost completely forgotten that Jonathan Isaac existed, but I'm honestly not sure if that will change this year.

[JamesConway]

The PGs. Historically that's the position where the 1st year players struggle the most & it almost doesn't matter how good these guys will be later on. Even studs like Westbrook had terrible 1st years going by the numbers so I expect a pretty strong positive trend from the likes of DSJ, Fox, Ntilikina, Ball, Fultz, etc.

[The-Power]

For me, I think the Laker's Lonzo Ball will make the biggest jump. I think he easily averages 13.5/9/8 which are better than Jason Kidd's career numbers.

8 APG next to LeBron and Rondo, with Ingram and a couple others also handling the ball and Magic emphasizing multiple ball handlers? Seems awfully optimistic, just as the 9 RPG under those circumstances. I believe it when I see it.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Lauri. At his size with the ability to put the ball on the floor while shooting the three will cause problems for defenses.

Spoiler:

[THE J0KER]

Why is Mitchell and Tatum on this poll despite they are already TOP3 players of this class last season?

I voted for J.Jackson and DSJ because they both disappointed me but showing flashes of good prospects. Another dark horse is John Collins from Hawks, but he is not on the list here.

[knuckles862]

No Simmons?

[Sark]

Frank Ntilikina will make a nice jump this year. He won't be buried on the bench by a coach playing vets to save his job, even when the season was over.

[Eskobar13]

No love for Adebayo? Really hope he can get a bump in minutes and USG. Guy's got sick skill+athleticism combination.

[King-]

Hopefully Jonathan Isaac, otherwise this will be a painful year for Magic fans knowing that we could have taken Markkanen or DSJ instead

[justinriley11]

mine would have to be Lauri Markkanen

[justinriley11]

sleepers tho is Bam Adebayo or Malik Monk if he gets more minutes and stays healthy

[Repeat 3-peat]

Also forgot about Monk. He and Kemba may develop into one of the better backcourts in the NBA. Big time scoring talent.

[antonac]

The knicks are going to be too bad for Ntilikina to make any sort of perceived jump but he should show flashes of real quality.

I don't see DSJ making a huge leap, Doncic will have the ball in his hands from the 1st game.

So I'm going with Markkanen, bulls should be better this year and if he's put on some bulk he's going to be an animal.

[Repeat 3-peat]

No Simmons?

He's a rookie.