Rank these young cores Minni Lakers Magic & 76ers

[GLRO]

Replace Anthony Brown with Robert Upshaw and if Upshaw stays on the right track, he along with Russell, Randle and Clarkson form one of the better young cores in the NBA.

[Illmatic12]

1. Minnesota: Wiggins and Towns look like franchise players. You don't need 5 stars in the nba, you need 2 great players and some good role players.
2 (tied). Milwaukee: I put them below Minnesota because Giannis and Jabari have more question marks than Wiggins and Towns. Giannis has huge potential, but has to devop it, while Parker had a bad injury. I fear the trade for MCW was a mistake, but Knight isn't worth the money he wanted, so maybe they will be good anyway.
2 (tied). Utah: Gobert/Favors is a terrific frontcourt and I like Hayward a lot. They need a better backcourt, but I still have hopes for Dante Exum to become a good player. If it happens they will be great.
4. Orlando: I love Payton and Hezonja/Oladipo/Vucevic/Gordon is nice young core. Even if one of Gordon and Hezonja busts they still have a good chance to build a good team. I rate them a little lower than Utah and Milwaukee because of the losing culture and the lack of a true star. One of Hezonja, Oladipo and Payton could become a superstar, but at this point it looks unlikely. Not impossible though.
5. Philadelphia: Noel is very good, Okafor will be good next to him. They need shooters on the wings so they don't have a real core. I won't consider Embiid until I see him on the court and you can't play with Okafor and Embiid at the same time anyway.
6. Lakers: I like D'Angelo, but Randle is a big question mark. I didn't like him coming into the draft (his physical game could be a lot less effective in the NBA), so I woun't consider him until I see him on the court. Clarkson will be a good backup, but you can't consider him a key piece when he won't even be a starter (unless Russell busts, and this would put the Lakers in a worse situation). On the other hand they are a big landing spot for FAs so they still have better chance to win a ring in the next 5 years than any of the other teams listed here, but not because of the young core.

Very good take, I agree with these rankings

Only thing is I think Jabari is gonna be a god damn beast, the injury won't impact his career imo. In fact looks like the rehab gave him a chance to tone up and get rid of his extra bf%, he has slimmed down from his rookie season. He's going to develop into a franchise scorer relatively soon imo, and the rest of the team around him will settle in perfectly as a tough, versatile two-way supporting cast.

Minny is set for 10+ years easily with Wiggins and Towns, but I would put Milwaukee solidly at #2.

Didn't like Utah taking Lyles when they had plenty of young bigs and just shipped one out of town. Their backcourt needs serious help, that should have been the focus imo. Hayward's a stud, his 4yr/$63M contract will be highway robbery once the cap goes up. I really want Exum to become something but he has a long way to go, and some basic NBA skills are lacking.

Orlando doesn't really have any player I'd guarantee to be a star, and despite seemingly having a defensive culture their defensive metrics have been poor. As long as Vucevic is manning the paint, they will probably never be a shutdown defensive team that can stifle opponents in the playoffs.

Philly is weird right now, like you say they don't have an actual core team atm. The backcourt is a bare cupboard, though they have a collection of talented bigs who have limited and/or overlapping skillsets (and it almost seems like writing on the wall that one will eventually be moved). Everything really hinges on whether Embiid can play or not.

Lakers just have Russell really (don't expect much from Randle), but they're more likely than any of these other teams to land a top big man in FA. For the Lakers, just having a developing star Russell is enough of a draw.

[dham1974]

16 and 8 is decent. I would say it was great for a 3rd year player not a 6 year top 3 lottery pick.


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[NikolaPekovic]

Funny how Wolves out tanked the Sixers when the original goal was to compete each season.

[SOUL]

I think the "Orlando not having a star" narrative is sort of outdated especially since Payton had a great rookie season, Oladipo is steadily improving and you barely know what we have in Gordon & Hezonja. Vuc is all-star caliber with even the SLIGHTEST bit of defense.

The only players I can 100% see being higher caliber projection wise is Towns and Wiggins, Gobert maybe just on his effectiveness alone although I don't think he'll be a numbers sort of player.

[GopherIt!]

Funny how Wolves out tanked the Sixers when the original goal was to compete (this past) season.

[The_Reversal]

Based purely on talent, I think it goes 1. Minnesota (by far), 2. Orlando, 3. LA, 4. Philly. Although for Philly, I think it would be more accurate to say that it's Okafor, Noel, Embiid, Saric, which looks a lot better. I think the Lakers are in more trouble as a franchise than the Sixers are, barring big free agents signing in LA. Orlando is building a nice young core, but none of them (besides Hezonja) are good shooters, so that might become a problem. Minnesota is in a really great position talent wise. They have two of the top young players in the NBA (Towns, Wiggins) and a bunch of other young guys that have a chance to be good NBA players down the line (LaVine, Jones, Muhammad, Bennett, Payne). If only they had a decent coach...

[dham1974]

Based purely on talent, I think it goes 1. Minnesota (by far), 2. Orlando, 3. LA, 4. Philly. Although for Philly, I think it would be more accurate to say that it's Okafor, Noel, Embiid, Saric, which looks a lot better. I think the Lakers are in more trouble as a franchise than the Sixers are, barring big free agents signing in LA. Orlando is building a nice young core, but none of them (besides Hezonja) are good shooters, so that might become a problem. Minnesota is in a really great position talent wise. They have two of the top young players in the NBA (Towns, Wiggins) and a bunch of other young guys that have a chance to be good NBA players down the line (LaVine, Jones, Muhammad, Bennett, Payne). If only they had a decent coach...

I disagree with your assessment of LA. Why does the success depend on free agency for only them? They have what I believe will be an Allstar PF and a potential franchise PG. They have good 3 and D guys along with a combo guard in Clarkson. Lakers have good pieces like the rest of these teams I would say they have talent more spread out than Philly does.


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[GLRO]

And if Robert Upshaw, a projected lottery pick pans out, the Lakers are adding a rim protector and rebounder.

[Boss Angeles]

Lakers backcourt wins this for me. I'll admit I'm biased though.

Two guards who can handle, pass, and shoot at 6'5". One is an explosive athlete the other has rare passing and elite shooting.

Russell, Clarkson, Brown and Randle are all very skilled as well. They're not as raw as the other line-ups.

[12footrim]

Gorgie Deng
Shabazz Muhamad
Adrien Payne
Tyus Jones

You didn't even include these guys in the Timberwolves thinking


Could even throw in Anthony Bennett. I think he actually made some improvements last year. I think people generally over rate Wiggins and Lavine and they still have easily the best young group.

I wouldn't include Rubio either pretty sure they have already paid him or will soon. He's like 25.

[Mattya]

Gorgie Deng
Shabazz Muhamad
Adrien Payne
Tyus Jones

You didn't even include these guys in the Timberwolves thinking


Could even throw in Anthony Bennett. I think he actually made some improvements last year. I think people generally over rate Wiggins and Lavine and they still have easily the best young group.

I wouldn't include Rubio either pretty sure they have already paid him or will soon. He's like 25.

Rubio is younger than Dieng.

[dham1974]

Lakers backcourt wins this for me. I'll admit I'm biased though.

Two guards who can handle, pass, and shoot at 6'5". One is an explosive athlete the other has rare passing and elite shooting.

Russell, Clarkson, Brown and Randle are all very skilled as well. They're not as raw as the other line-ups.

Don't forget Rubio and Lavine both can pass and one is athletic. I'll take Clarkson over Lavine everyday though.

[Hogified05]

I voted Orlando (Homer pick). I feel like we are the most balanced. It all really depends on if AG develops into a Draymond Green type role and if Hezonja can provide shooting we desperatley need.

It was close with Minny thou. I think they have the two best players down the road, just not sold on the rest of the group yet.

[Karmaloop]

1. Minnesota
2. Orlando
3. LA
4. Philly

My thoughts as well.

Wiggins/Towns is the best duo moving forward, and offers the most upside. Orlando is the most proven of the group, but I'm not sure any of their players have the same upside that Minnesota's does. Also, lack of 3 point shooting hurts. LA is upside at this point, but fit is nice. Philly has talent, but health and fit are question marks.

[stitches]

It took dude 5 years to avg double digits. He's a decent big but nothing more. I know he's still young but this is probably his ceiling. Al Jefferson was putting up better stats in his 3rd year than Favors in his 6th season and he was drafted much lower than Favors

There is this thing called defense.

There's this thing called offense as well. You know those digital numbers on the score board comes from that.

Lol, Utah plays at the slowest pace in the league. Favors was 19/10 per 36 or 27.6 /14.1 per 100 possessions on great efficiency. Just to put in perspective - first team All-NBA center - Marc Gasol was 27.4/12.2, Al Horford was 25.5/12, Paul Millsap was 26/12...

Oh and he did it at 23, and this was not even the best part of his game - he was top 5 rim protector in the league and all-around elite defender at the PF position.

Give me more of those busts, please! I wish Exum busts like that!
-------------------
On the original question. I will ignore Utah, because I'm biased.

1. The Timberwolves stumbled by accident on 2 great first round picks and I fee like they deserve the first place here. To me both Wiggins and Towns have the chance to be generational talents and the Wolves will be a force to be reckoned with unless they screw it up in some major way.
2. I love Orlando's talent pool. I have no idea why it's not working for them, but they are extremely fun team and now with Hezonja they will be up there on the swagger scale too. It will be interesting to see if they can put it all together with Skiles, because with those players they shouldn't be anywhere near bottom 5 team in the league.
3. 76ers... it all depends on how Embiid recovers and if he does at all(that's why I put them 3d)... I think he could be another generational talent. I'm not super high on Okafor, but he should be at the very least an offensive force for the years to come and a nice asset if they decide to trade him at some point. I also like Noel and the stashed Saric. It will be interesting to see what they are going to do with their perimeter and wing spots. I would guess they will be aiming at another top pick next year... maybe Jaylen Brown? Malik Newman? Ben Simmons? Ingram? Next draft is great for wings, they should be able to get another top talent.
4. Lakers - not extremely high on Randle and he's just returning from injury, will be interesting to see how he develops in the league. Could be a very good player, but again - I don't think he will be a great defender. I love D'Angelo... he was my favourite prospect in the current draft and I think he can be a star, but he couldn't pull the whole team above the first 3 by himself. The very fact that you had to put Anthony Brown in the young core, tells you that it's pretty hard to make a case for LA above any of the other 3.

[LAL8KB24]

1. Minnesota
2. Utah
3. Orlando
4. 76ers
5. Lakers

[dham1974]

There is this thing called defense.

There's this thing called offense as well. You know those digital numbers on the score board comes from that.

Lol, Utah plays at the slowest pace in the league. Favors was 19/10 per 36 or 27.6 /14.1 per 100 possessions on great efficiency. Just to put in perspective - first team All-NBA center - Marc Gasol was 27.4/12.2, Al Horford was 25.5/12, Paul Millsap was 26/12...

Oh and he did it at 23, and this was not even the best part of his game - he was top 5 rim protector in the league and all-around elite defender at the PF position.

Give me more of those busts, please! I wish Exum busts like that!
-------------------
On the original question. I will ignore Utah, because I'm biased.

1. The Timberwolves stumbled by accident on 2 great first round picks and I fee like they deserve the first place here. To me both Wiggins and Towns have the chance to be generational talents and the Wolves will be a force to be reckoned with unless they screw it up in some major way.
2. I love Orlando's talent pool. I have no idea why it's not working for them, but they are extremely fun team and now with Hezonja they will be up there on the swagger scale too. It will be interesting to see if they can put it all together with Skiles, because with those players they shouldn't be anywhere near bottom 5 team in the league.
3. 76ers... it all depends on how Embiid recovers and if he does at all(that's why I put them 3d)... I think he could be another generational talent. I'm not super high on Okafor, but he should be at the very least an offensive force for the years to come and a nice asset if they decide to trade him at some point. I also like Noel and the stashed Saric. It will be interesting to see what they are going to do with their perimeter and wing spots. I would guess they will be aiming at another top pick next year... maybe Jaylen Brown? Malik Newman? Ben Simmons? Ingram? Next draft is great for wings, they should be able to get another top talent.
4. Lakers - not extremely high on Randle and he's just returning from injury, will be interesting to see how he develops in the league. Could be a very good player, but again - I don't think he will be a great defender. I love D'Angelo... he was my favourite prospect in the current draft and I think he can be a star, but he couldn't pull the whole team above the first 3 by himself. The very fact that you had to put Anthony Brown in the young core, tells you that it's pretty hard to make a case for LA above any of the other 3.

You think I'm underrating Favors but you turn around and underrate Clarkson & Randle. Let me ask you something do you consider Favors to be a franchise Talent? Any player picked in the top 3 should be a franchise talent. IMO Favors hasn't been that. the Numbers he's putting up now I think Randle can avg those in his second or 3rd season. He should be putting up D Cousins type of numbers being a 3rd pick. Right now I see him having a career like David lee. Decent stats but he would never be the best player on a top team. Funny how you question Randle being good but wont apply that same measure to Okafor who isn't known for defense. I don't think Randle is as good as Okafor but he's a better rebounder and he's a more versatile scorer. Tony Wroten isn't better than Clarkson if you ask me. But hey it's your list and your opinion.

[stitches]

You are delusional. The game of basketball is played on both ends of the floor. David Lee has never played the defense Favors is playing. Randle will never play the defense Favors is playing. The fact that nobody is watching Utah(can't blame them - we had 0(ZERO) nationally televised games last season, while powerhouses like the Lakers and the Knicks had 20+ games each explains to a certain degree why people don't know how good of a season Favors had... that will change soon. Don't worry... when the team as a whole starts winning more games it will become harder and harder to ignore players like Favors, Hayward and Gobert.

About the rest of it - yes, it is my subjective opinion. The only dominant player I can see from Lakers' core is Russell. I don't think Randle is a franchise player, but he can be very good offensively. With the 76ers - I can see Noel being dominant defender, Embiid being dominant on both ends, and Okafor WILL be a monster offensively(I can see him being a 25-27ppg scorer in the league in several years). I don't even count Wroten in that core, as you saw... simply because I don't see him as a long term piece for them - I think he will probably be traded the first chance they get to snatch a good first rounder for him. In other words - 76ers have 3 players that can be dominant players in one way or another, Lakers have one, in my opinion. The rest can be good players, but I don't see the "IT" factor with them.

[12footrim]

Gorgie Deng
Shabazz Muhamad
Adrien Payne
Tyus Jones

You didn't even include these guys in the Timberwolves thinking


Could even throw in Anthony Bennett. I think he actually made some improvements last year. I think people generally over rate Wiggins and Lavine and they still have easily the best young group.

I wouldn't include Rubio either pretty sure they have already paid him or will soon. He's like 25.

Rubio is younger than Dieng.

I don't think he's on his rookie contract still though.