Best young core in the NBA

[Jamaaliver]

Which Young NBA Cores Are Built for the Future

Atlanta Hawks: Built for the Future



If this past offseason is any indication, the Atlanta Hawks have already signaled which side of this debate they think they're on. They spent big on Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Rajon Rondo, suggesting they were ready to move forward.

And it's really not hard to understand that line of thinking.

Trae Young is a bona fide offensive hub. His career averages of 24.1 points and 8.8 assists are matched only by Oscar Robertson. His vision is among the game's best. And his ability to shoot from well outside the three-point line spreads the floor in a way few others can.

Looking for the kind of players who fit around him and cover his defensive limitations is the right call.

In terms of pure talent, John Collins is another player Atlanta can build around. And recent reports indicate he'll be there beyond the deadline. With his ability to both shoot from the outside and do damage as a rim roller, he fits well alongside Young and Clint Capela.

When those three are on the floor, the Hawks are plus-5.0 points per 100 possessions. Finding the right pieces to go around them doesn't require tanking.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Which Young NBA Cores Are Built for the Future

Memphis Grizzlies: Built for the Future



The Memphis Grizzlies are loaded with intriguing young talent, including Brandon Clarke, De'Anthony Melton, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. (who has yet to appear in a game this season, due to injury).

The obvious headliner, though, is Ja Morant. Some of his numbers have slipped a bit from his rookie campaign, but the raw production puts him in impressive company.

The only players who matched or exceeded his averages for points and assists through their first two seasons? Tim Hardaway, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, Damon Stoudamire, Isiah Thomas and Trae Young.

If Morant can figure out how to be an average shooter, he has superstar upside. And his willingness and ability to set up his teammates should lift them.

With a possible cornerstone in place, and plenty of high-floor talents around him, the Grizzlies are firmly in the "build for the future" camp.

Bleacher Report

[Sofia]

Easily:

Jokic 26
Murray 24
MPJ 22
Gordon 25

Feels like Aaron Gordon been in the league for a decade and pushing 30

Probably because we are so used to him being robbed in dunk comp every few years.

[Sofia]

Denver ain't young, those dudes are mid 20s and their bodies have been through wars. I'm going with Minny, they have the best high level potential that hasn't been tapped yet.

All three of Minnys stars/potential have fatal flaws. It would be ok if it was only one of them, but not all three. Hence they can’t even win games when healthy.

It feels like Minny wins this every few years...

[Sofia]

Also, jinx thread?

Remember when it was Portland in 2008?

Rookie Oden
Roy
Aldridge
Rookie Batum
Rookie Fernandez with heaps of international hype

Not to mention Vanilla Gorilla Joel Pryzbilla!

[Jamaaliver]

Which Young NBA Cores Are Built for the Future

New Orleans Pelicans: Built for the Future



Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball are 20, 23 and 23, respectively. Over their season-plus together, the New Orleans Pelicans are plus-5.2 points per 100 possessions when all three are on the floor.

They're ready to enter the next phase of team-building, which will require them to find the right players to accentuate the games of the young stars.

The priority should probably be shooting. Ingram and Ball are both above-average three-point shooters, but with Zion in the lineup, four deadeyes in the other spots is ideal.

Zion's playmaking has made significant strides in his second season, and spreading the floor for his drives is a recipe for success. Defending him one-on-one is a nightmare. And if you have four shooters on the three-point line, it's tough to double the ball-handler in the middle of the floor.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Which Young NBA Cores Are Built for the Future

Boston Celtics: Built for the Future



As is the case with New Orleans, the answer for the Boston Celtics is clear. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are already All-Stars. Boston has done the hard part. Now it needs to find the right role players to support those two.

Another youngster, 23-year-old Robert Williams, may be one of those players. He's a hyper-athletic rim runner and shot blocker, as well as an underrated passer. Kemba Walker, assuming he's healthy, is obviously important. And Marcus Smart helps in all those hard-to-track ways.

But this roster has hovered around .500 for most of this season, and it may have a shortcut to contention. The Celtics' massive $28.5 million trade exception could land them some talent.

There's really no argument for tanking here.

Bleacher Report

[The_Hater]

Denver, Boston, Memphis, New Orleans, Dallas.

Even if the young Dallas core is made up of exactly one player, he’s still the best young core piece in the entire league. And having a young, superstar level talent is the best path to winning championships.

[MavfanAus]

Denver ain't young, those dudes are mid 20s and their bodies have been through wars. I'm going with Minny, they have the best high level potential that hasn't been tapped yet.

All three of Minnys stars/potential have fatal flaws. It would be ok if it was only one of them, but not all three. Hence they can’t even win games when healthy.

Not to mention KAT, D'Lo and Beasley are in their mid twenties as well. Apparently mid 20's isn't considered young

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[NYK-Mentality85]

Playoffs Knicks baby!

C: Mitchell Robinson (23).
PF: Julius Randle (26).
PF: Obi Toppin (23)
SG: R.J Barrett (21).
PG: Immanuel Quickley (22).

+ Picks 19, 21 & 32.

[Statlanta]

Memphis now that's a core I wanna build around that the media isn't sniffing/trying to break with narratives.

[Prez]

Trae/Hunter/Reddish/Okongwu/Huerter lol. So crazy that a young talent like Collins could leave and it’s like “meh whatever” to me, they still have a **** load of talent.

[tmorgan]

Hold us a spot for next year, folks. Our summer league team is gonna be our regular season team minus Grant.

[BostonCouchGM]

Hold us a spot for next year, folks. Our summer league team is gonna be our regular season team minus Grant.

if you had a better coach who would play Sekou so he could develop and didn't screw up the Hayes pick, yeah, you'd be right at the top especially after this upcoming draft. As it is, a couple high floor low ceiling guys in Bey and Stewart isn't anything to write home about.

[irish22022]

Gotta go hawks but suns

Booker
Ayton
Bridges
Cam Johnson
Cam Payne (the oldest at 26)
Jalen Smith (just wait, yo)

[SunsLyf3]

Booker, Ayton, Mikal, Cam J, Cam P.

[Chandan]

Taytum and Brown looks promising.

[Raps in 4]

Will be the Raptors after the draft.

[AussieRules]

Memphis, Pelicans, Mavs (every other team would trade all their young pieces to have him), Phoenix and Atlanta

False.

I wouldn’t trade Zion for him. I wouldn’t trade Trae Young for him either.