15. Jalen Suggs
I don’t usually put rookies this high on these rankings, especially when they haven’t played a single NBA but Jalen Suggs project to be something special for the Orlando Magic. He can play either guard position, score, playmaker, and defend at a high level. Despite being a rookie, he could and should be the go-to option on this list. He could end up being in the top-10 by the end of this season.
14. Collin Sexton
There’s no denying it, Collin Sexton is a legit go-to scorer in the NBA. He averaged around 24 points per game last year and despite the Cleveland Cavaliers upgrading the roster this offseason, he should still be averaging close to that next year. Now there were some trade rumors around Sexton this offseason so there’s a chance he’s on the market in the future.
13. Cade Cunningham
Like Suggs, Cade Cunningham could be a top-10 shooting guard by the end of this year. He’s a primary playmaker, he can shoot at a high level and isn’t a bad defender. He won’t have to be the go-to scorer on the Detroit Pistons, which should help in his overall development in the long term. He’s the franchise cornerstone in Detroit which lands him in the top-15 despite being a rookie.
12. Tyrese Haliburton
Christopher Kline of The Sixer Sense recently wrote that Tyrese Haliburton is an underrated trade target in a potential Simmons trade and I couldn’t agree more. He’s a combo guard and while he’s better as a point guard, he’s a shooting guard for the Sacramento Kings. He has the potential to be an All-Star if he’s in the right situation, but he’s not that yet just entering his second season.
11. Marcus Smart
The Boston Celtics just gave Marcus Smart the most money they were allowed to this offseason. Smart has always been great defensively but last year he had the best offensive season of his career. He’s now a two-way player and is the anchor of that Celtics team defensively and mentally.