Ranking every NBA young core — 26. Brooklyn Nets
- Bruce Brown Jr., Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe, Jevon Carter, Kessler Edwards, RaiQuan Gray, Reggie Perry
How the NBA let Cam Thomas fall to Brooklyn with the 27th pick, I will never know. The freshman from LSU was one of the best scorers in college basketball, and it translated immediately to the Summer League, where he led all scorers at 27 points per game and won co-MVP. He won’t play much as a rookie due to the Nets’ guard depth, but he was a lottery talent disguised as a late first rounder.
Bruce Brown, however, will play significant minutes for Brooklyn. He was an integral part of the second unit last season, playing elite perimeter defense and filling a Draymond-lite role on offense, playing out of screen-and-rolls, working from the elbow, and delivering timely passes to Brooklyn’s array of shooters.
Nic Claxton is a real NBA player, and should only see his role grow next season. He could even start. Day’Ron Sharpe can play, too.
Ranking every NBA young core — 25. Washington Wizards
- Deni Avdija, Rui Hachimura, Corey Kispert, Isaiah Todd, Thomas Bryant, Daniel Gafford, Cassius Winston
Injury cut Deni Avdija’s rocky rookie season short. He’s still a lottery talent, though, and should experience much greater success without Russell Westbrook domineering the offense. Avdija’s greatest skill is his passing, with the size and court vision to operate as a secondary ball-handler from the wing. Those opportunities should be more readily available with Spencer Dinwiddie.
Rui Hachimura continues to flash his athletic potential at the four spot, with elite physical tools and excellent physicality scoring around the rim. If he can improve the 3-point shot even further, he’s a long-time starter in the NBA. Corey Kispert is arguably the best shooter from July’s NBA Draft, and Isaiah Todd was a big-name recruit out of high school.