Julius Randle can confound and anger his own fanbase at times, but the volume of production in all facets of the game offensively deserves credit. He can bully defenders in the post, or stretch out to the 3-point line and attack off the bounce. Not many bigs are so dynamic with their passing.
Tobias Harris has refined his offensive approach and settled beautifully into his 3-and-D role for the Sixers. Efficient volume shooting, the ability to hunt mismatches when called upon, and versatility on defense keeps him highly relevant for a potential contender.
The electric athlete and former No. 2 pick has firmly elevated into star territory for the rebuilding Rockets. He has a long ways to go in terms of efficiency and playmaking for others, but his ability to get downhill and spray shots from all over the court is wondrous to behold. There aren’t many athletes of Green’s caliber in the NBA.
His minutes and involvement within the offense have been slashed in half with the return of Zion Williamson, but the overarching talent remains. Jonas Valanciunas takes up a lot of space in the middle, making him an elite finisher with enough passing and shooting touch to thrive in the modern game.
A one-of-one defender on the perimeter, Alex Caruso’s intensity at the point of attack and instincts off the ball make him a player of singular importance for Chicago. He’s not the most prolific offensive player, but he keeps his head on a swivel and plays unselfish, team-oriented basketball.