9. Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Gordon signed a long-term extension this summer, making him the face of Orlando’s rebuilding effort. He’s now their go-to scoring, improving his three-point stroke and leveraging his athleticism as a slasher.
Gordon is also a plus rebounder and versatile defender, two traits that will keep his value high alongside Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba in the Magic frontcourt. Orlando is building something intriguing, which hasn’t been said for quite some time.
8. Paul Millsap, Denver Nuggets
Millsap took a step back after returning from injury last season. Now he’s 33, which means his game might start to slip in some areas. With that said, he’s still a versatile all-around threat given his shooting, passing and ball-handling chops. He’ll play a big role in Denver’s playoff push this season.
7. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
I’m counting on a sizable leap forward from Tatum after his stellar postseason run. Finishing third place in Rookie of the Year voting, Tatum made the Sixers look bad after the Markelle Fultz trade. His combination of efficiency and go-to scoring upside is tantalizing.
With Gordon Hayward back in the rotation, Tatum’s role might change next season. Regardless, he’s talented enough to put himself in the All-Star conversation. Expect big things from someone on the Eastern Conference frontrunners.