15. Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs
After a strong postseason performance and good reviews on Team USA, Derrick White feels primed for a breakout. He’s already an All-Defense caliber talent, and will join Dejounte Murray in what projects to be a stout San Antonio backcourt.
There’s a chance the Spurs opt to use one of White or Murray in a sixth man capacity, but when the dust settles, expect both to start. In addition to his defense, White is a talented scorer and underrated athlete. He averaged 15.1 points on 54.7 percent shooting in the Spurs’ first-round loss to Denver.
- PG: Dejounte Murray | Position Rank: 17th
- SG: Derrick White | Position Rank: 15th
14. Caris LeVert, Brooklyn Nets
After signing an extension on his birthday, Caris LeVert is locked into Brooklyn’s rotation for the foreseeable future. He missed a large chunk of last season after a scary leg injury, but managed to return in time for a promising playoff run.
LeVert’s shiftiness on the perimeter makes him a perpetual threat. He’s difficult to stick in front of, breaking out hesitation moves and crossovers to complement a great first step. He and Kyrie Irving will put a lot of pressure on the rim, all while creating looks for others as well.
- PG: Kyrie Irving | Position Rank: 3rd
- SG: Caris LeVert | Position Rank: 14th
13. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
Though very much flawed, Zach LaVine took a big step forward last season. He averaged 23.7 points and 4.5 assists per game as Chicago’s main option, shooting an efficient 46.7 percent in the process. He’s a genuinely talented offensive player and should continue to put up impressive numbers as the Bulls’ perimeter staple.
LaVine’s defense leaves much to be desired, but someone with his deep shooting range, dynamic athleticism and shot-making gene more than makes up for it. LaVine is a sneaky All-Star pick for 2019-20 — especially if the Bulls compete for a fringe playoff spot.
- PG: Kris Dunn | Position Rank: 25th
- SG: Zach LaVine | Position Rank: 13th