Guys with "star" potential who are not viewed as budding stars? Post some!

[nykballa2k4]

Timofey Mozgov - His age indicates he is a finished product. However, centers take longer to develop, he has a good motor and his offensive game has clearly come a LONG way. He actually appears comfortable with the ball in his hands. He won't be a face up big man, but no reason he cannot be a more athletic Andrew Bynum.

[buckboy]

Love C.J. McCollum. Always have.

I think Khris Middleton could get there too, but that may just be homerism.

[bondom34]

Good call on McCollum, my only worry is if I'm correct he's a little older for a 2nd year guy, which could throw that off a little. And no, Middleton isn't homerism to me.

[Illmatic12]

Timofey Mozgov - His age indicates he is a finished product. However, centers take longer to develop, he has a good motor and his offensive game has clearly come a LONG way. He actually appears comfortable with the ball in his hands. He won't be a face up big man, but no reason he cannot be a more athletic Andrew Bynum.

How is he comfortable with the ball in his hands, the dude is awkward and travels every time he gets it lol. Can't spot a doubleteam to save his life either.

He's a very solid center but the offensive ceiling is not that high, however where he is now is fine for the Cavs.


Speaking of bigs, Jusuf Nurkic is going to be better than Andre Drummond imo and most people don't talk about him. Under Malone (who will actually develop him) look for Nurkic to breakout next season, he will be the 2016 Gobert

[Illmatic12]

Kidd-Gilchrist is a stud. He's better than Brad Beal

MKG is an awesome wing defender, but he's mostly an athlete with little offensive skill ie bigger Tony Allen..not a single GM would take MKG over Beal moving forward. They're gonna be two different caliber players


Another guy to mention, Reggie Jackson imo could do some serious damage in the right system. He doesn't innately possess that many star qualities, but he's big with a great first step and solid court vision. If he learns how to use his quickness and gets better finishing at the rim, he could be really good in an uptempo offense. I see him having his best production when he's seasoned in his 6th-7th season, like a Jeff Teague.

[Trader_Joe]

The closest thing the Nets have to fit this description is Bogdanovic. Older than most rookies last year, so people think he's got limited upside, but with his size, shooting stroke and IQ I think he has Korver-lite potential later on down the road.

Otherwise...
I think Olynyk has some nice potential that gets overlooked
Greg Monroe has the tools to be an AS
Evan Fournier has a nice two way game and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes a nice leap soon enough
Myers Leonard should continue to grow and maybe take off with PT this year

[Texas Chuck]

..not a single GM would take MKG over Beal moving forward. They're gonna be two different caliber players

I'm not so sure that's true. Beal will always be the better offensive player, but MKG is much bigger, is already a top 5 wing defender trending way up and is a great rebounder. I think there would be GM's would take him over Beal.

And Tony Allen is a really really good basketball player. Considering MKG is already superior to him in a number of ways I think you are under-selling how good this kid can be.

[Illmatic12]

..not a single GM would take MKG over Beal moving forward. They're gonna be two different caliber players

I'm not so sure that's true. Beal will always be the better offensive player, but MKG is much bigger, is already a top 5 wing defender trending way up and is a great rebounder. I think there would be GM's would take him over Beal.

And Tony Allen is a really really good basketball player. Considering MKG is already superior to him in a number of ways I think you are under-selling how good this kid can be.

Tony Allen is a really really good basketball player... who isn't even in the top 50 most valuable players in the league.

MKG is a great defender, but offense is still slightly more valuable than defense in this league, and his offensive game is.. I don't even want to say one dimensional, it's *zero* dimensional. He can be really good, but there's always going to be something separating him from entering that elite class. Even if he tops out at a prime Gerald Wallace-level (which he's not even close to right now) that still wouldn't make MKG one of the top tier elites in the league.

Beal has multiple dimensions to his game. He can play good defense, spaces the floor with 40%+ 3pt shooting, excellent at moving off the ball, rebounds well, sees the floor and can pass, and is showcasing more variety in creating with the ball and scoring in different ways. Those are the types of wings who have a chance to become elite.


Both MKG and Beal have struggled with injuries in their short careers. But after last year's playoffs, I don't think there's a single GM out there who would take MKG over Beal, because Beal looked like the type of player who is more rare to find in this league.

[GANGSTERDOG]

This thread Screams Aaron Gordon and Schroeder

[[EverGreen]]

I think Noel will be the next big thing but maybe he's already viewed as a budding star.

Of the guys on the next level, I like Schröder, Knight, Aaron Gordon and the one that I see that I'll get slain over ... Perry Jones (in the right environment).

[Q C]

..not a single GM would take MKG over Beal moving forward. They're gonna be two different caliber players

I'm not so sure that's true. Beal will always be the better offensive player, but MKG is much bigger, is already a top 5 wing defender trending way up and is a great rebounder. I think there would be GM's would take him over Beal.

And Tony Allen is a really really good basketball player. Considering MKG is already superior to him in a number of ways I think you are under-selling how good this kid can be.

Tony Allen is a really really good basketball player... who isn't even in the top 50 most valuable players in the league.

MKG is a great defender, but offense is still slightly more valuable than defense in this league, and his offensive game is.. I don't even want to say one dimensional, it's *zero* dimensional. He can be really good, but there's always going to be something separating him from entering that elite class. Even if he tops out at a prime Gerald Wallace-level (which he's not even close to right now) that still wouldn't make MKG one of the top tier elites in the league.

Beal has multiple dimensions to his game. He can play good defense, spaces the floor with 40%+ 3pt shooting, excellent at moving off the ball, rebounds well, sees the floor and can pass, and is showcasing more variety in creating with the ball and scoring in different ways. Those are the types of wings who have a chance to become elite.


Both MKG and Beal have struggled with injuries in their short careers. But after last year's playoffs, I don't think there's a single GM out there who would take MKG over Beal, because Beal looked like the type of player who is more rare to find in this league.

last season

MKG 13.6 points per 36 @ 51.9% TS
Beal 16.4 points per 36 @ 52.1 TS

one is a "zero dimensions" offensive player and the other is a dynamic future elite offensive stud?

you're being extremely homerish there.

[Dr Positivity]

Draymond Green is a borderline star already but his potential to improve on the offensive end until he becomes a true star may be understated. He may grow into a far deadlier combination of 3pt shooting and assists than we saw this year in addition to having potential to post up 3s.

[skones]

Terrence Jones.

[Texas Chuck]

Roddy B is going to be on some team's summer league roster.

Spoiler:

Green Font.

[Domejandro]

I truly believe Shabazz Muhammad is going to become a star.

[mksp]

Jerami Grant.

Since this is a thread to dream on guys, I think his upside ceiling is Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard: 6' 7" 227 w/ a 7' 3" wingspan and 8' 10" standing reach

Grant: 6' 7.75" 214 w/ a 7' 2.75" wingspan and 8' 11" standing reach

Both guys were considered athletic projects coming out of college, though of course Leonard was more highly regarded. Still, Jerami Grant showed some things as a young rookie, and he's an outstanding athlete with a decent stroke that's active on the defensive end (had 8 blocks against NYK).

He needs to significantly improve his ball-handling to take the next step, but has the body, bounce and length to be a star.

Call it a "homer" post if you want, but I think this is a fair upside comp for Grant. Obviously very unlikely Grant ever reaches Leonard's level, but like I said, something to dream on.

[youngcrev]

Good call on McCollum, my only worry is if I'm correct he's a little older for a 2nd year guy, which could throw that off a little. And no, Middleton isn't homerism to me.

Definitely not homerism, but he might not fit the category since he feels like a lock to get max or near max money this offseason with the impending cap jump. Im hoping my Sixers try even if the Bucks are almost definitely gonna match.

[Tenbomber]

Nobody mentioned Isiah Thomas....He's just a real spark plug....He reminds me so much of Allen Iverson....

Would love to see Noel in Celtic Green....If Philly decides he's the odd man out.....kid could anchor a defense....

Like MKG allot too......Tristan Thompson....Leonard .. Antetokounmpo......So many good young players....

BTW... great thread!

[ClubLakers KB8]

I still think Dennis Schröder has incredible upside.

[HornetJail]

Noah Vonleh is probably the next Draymond Green, except he's 6'11 instead of 6'7. He's got every tool that you need to become a modern NBA power forward. He's going to explode in Portland.