Ranking the Sixers’ young core against every NBA team
169. . . . Houston Rockets. 10. team
Ranking every NBA young core — 10. Houston Rockets
- Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Christian Wood, Alperen Sengun, Usman Garuba, Josh Christopher, Jae’Sean Tate, Kenyon Martin Jr., Matthew Hurt, Anthony Lamb, Armoni Brooks
The Rockets scored Jalen Green with the No. 2 pick, giving their rebuild direction and acquiring the best scoring prospect in recent memory. Green should make a lot of All-Star teams and could lead the NBA in scoring one day. The polish on his footwork is insane for a teenager.
Beyond Green, the Rockets have Kevin Porter Jr. — who dropped 50 points in a game last season — and Christian Wood, a borderline top-50 NBA player and one of the most versatile offensive bigs in the league. The Rockets are geared for speed and versatility, attacking defenses with skill and explosiveness at every level. Houston’s 2021 draft has the potential to yield four quality NBA players.
211. . . . Memphis Grizzlies. 9. team
Ranking every NBA young core — 9. Memphis Grizzlies
- Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, De’Anthony Melton, Ziaire Williams, Santi Aldama, Tyus Jones, Xavier Tillman Sr., Sam Merrill, Killian Tillie, Daniel Oturu, Jarrett Culver, Yves Pons
The Grizzlies have the best scouting department in the NBA. Their hit-to-miss ratio is astounding. Ja Morant is a genuine franchise cornerstone, with the potential to lead Memphis deep into the postseason one day. Jaren Jackson Jr. should reemerge after a strange second season. Desmond Bane is one of the NBA’s best shooters. Dillon Brooks gave Utah hell in the playoffs.
On depth alone, Memphis is hard to rival. They have 18 players on guaranteed contracts right now, in part because the front office continues to draft useful NBA players. Literally every name on the list, right down to two-way contract Yves Pons, has potential in the league. There are a lot of names in this article with slender NBA hopes. None of them reside in Memphis.
Brandon Clarke and De’Anthony Melton are criminally underrated. Xavier Tillman produced as a rookie. And so forth.