Atlanta might allow him to fetch an offer as a restricted free agent and simply match it. Word is Collins wanted the rookie max last fall, and the Hawks, perhaps wisely, decided to wait until this summer to reevaluate. He’s the most notable player of the 2017 draft class who hasn’t signed a rookie extension. He rarely takes bad shots, as evident by his career 56.9% shooting (37.7% from deep) and doesn’t make many mistakes. The buzz on Collins: Consistent and steady, Collins has made himself into a reliable 6-foot-9 combo forward who seems comfortable near the rim and at times beyond the arc. Zion Williamson put on a show against the Rockets on Feb. In all, though, Zion is perhaps the league’s best player at his age, and with seasoning can be better in the very near future. And there are scattered intangibles that could use sharpening. Eventually, he’ll also need to improve his shooting beyond 15 feet to keep the defense guessing and off-balance. Of course, he’s not the perfect player, not at age 20, and there’s room to grow defensively, first and foremost. Thankfully for the Pelicans, that body has held up well this season after the Pelicans treated him with kid gloves in 2019-20 following knee issues. Is it too soon to suggest Zion is on his way to becoming a folk hero? Maybe. The power is awe-inspiring, for sure, and Zion uses his body well, leveraging it for points or trips to the free throw line. He’s a 6-foot-7 forward who rarely takes 3-pointers yet generates offense anyway, mainly by bullying defenders near the rim. The buzz on Williamson: Burly and ballistic, Zion is already a box-office draw because fans and TV executives are drawn to his unconventional style. He’s the centerpiece the Hawks need as they look to build around him and become a contender.Ģ020-21 stats: 23.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists Yet in due time, he can patch up that flaw in his game as he gets stronger and wiser. It doesn’t help that Young is a light-weighted 6-foot-1. In all, he’s a rising offensive force who also passes extremely well, even between the legs of defenders if necessary. Armed with a tricky dribble and a fearless attitude regarding attacking bigger defenders, Young drives to the hoop to draw contact and also get the sympathy of referees. Perhaps more impressive than his range is his ability to draw fouls. His shooting range is expansive and Young isn’t bashful about aiming from the midcourt logo, which can drive his defender nuts (and sometimes the Hawks, too, when he forces those shots, which is often). But Young is carving out an image of his own, and it’s mostly favorable. The buzz on Young: He’s not exactly Stephen Curry, the player he was often (and unfairly) compared to once he arrived in the NBA. Luka Doncic averaged a triple-double in January.Ģ020-21 stats: 26.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 9.2 assists As in, give Luka whatever amount he wants. His future contract negotiations will be quick. But it’s also the competitive spirit, too, that separates him from most. He already has the reputation for being a whiner, and there’s perhaps some truth in that, considering Doncic racks up the technical fouls and hard glares from opponents. He brings a near-textbook shooting form, although his accuracy from deep this season is faltering. At a somewhat chunky 6-foot-7, Doncic can back his man down in the post to draw fouls or secure the three-point play. Doncic thrives because, in addition to his sharp basketball basics and instincts, he uses his body well.
In rapid time, Doncic has gained the respect of the NBA’s current and former greats, no easy feat, especially for Euros who enter the league with initial skepticism from folks who never saw them play. The buzz on Doncic: He is largely seen as the future of basketball, a global phenom whose skillset and smarts is so seasoned that you forget he’s only 21.
So: Here’s a top-10 list of such players, in no specific order, who are paying off now and will certainly cash in later when their contract is up:Ģ020-21 stats: 27.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists
They’re one less worry for their teams, many of whom are in the process of rebuilding. Some of these players, or maybe most of them, are staring at solid 10-year careers or longer. Not only are they immediate contributors, but their long-term potential is so promising that their teams can use resources to improve other areas and positions.
These players are worth their weight in gold. What players are the best bang for the buck? Usually, it’s young players, some barely 20 years old, displaying the talent and skill and impact to help their teams right away.Īnd that’s what we’re listing here: The best players still on their rookie contracts. Luka Doncic and Trae Young could be in line for big extensions this year.
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