Ranking every NBA young core — 12. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Aleksej Pokusevski, Luguentz Dort, Darius Bazley, Tre Mann, Theo Maledon, Isaiah Roby, Charlie Brown Jr., Ty Jerome, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Aaron Wiggins, Josh Hall
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a borderline top-30 NBA player. He’s efficient at every level, but is one of the NBA’s most prolific slashers, using his length to finish over and around defenders at the rim. On defense, he’s similarly effective, with the ability to defend across positions on the perimeter.
Josh Giddey was a surprise pick at No. 6, but he fits OKC’s team and offense quite well. He’s an excellent complement to Gilgeous-Alexander in a super-sized backcourt. Aleksej Pokusevski is a potential top-5 talent from the 2020 draft — a hill I will die on. He’s special. OKC’s entire group of young players got playing time last season, and most of them stepped up.
Ranking every NBA young core — 11. Denver Nuggets
- Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Bol Bol, Nah’Shon Hyland, Markus Howard, Vlatko Cancar, P.J. Dozier
This is a top-three to rival any team on this list. Jamal Murray is coming off a torn ACL, but he’s a top-25 NBA player when healthy. His historic run in the Bubble is still fresh in the mind, and he will put Denver right back on the championship contending map once he’s healthy.
Michael Porter Jr. has struggled to translate his regular season to success in the postseason, but there’s something to be said for regular season success. At 6-foot-10, he’s an elite shooter, with deep pull-up range and upside to continue developing as a go-to scorer. Aaron Gordon is one of the best wing/forward defenders in the NBA.
I will hang tight to my Bol Bol stock, however foolish. Bones Hyland rocks.