In October, the football season is in full swing and the NBA is just around the corner. Which young stars and new additions might affect the season? With opening night approaching, what players could change the league this season? Whether it’s the title race, the trade market, or the team’s progress?
Who will be on the list of the 7 NBA players with the most chance in the future of the NBA?
Kinggame ● Christian Wood
Over the past two years with the Rockets, Wood has averaged 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and a block while shooting 38.4 percent from three-point range. , another potential star backcourt partner, John Wall, was exiled. Instead, Kevin Porter Jr., Eric Gordon and Jaylen Green are the ones passing the ball to him in the pick-and-roll. Lucca is a pretty big upgrade.
As a shooter, Wood is a huge improvement over Porzingis on the perimeter. He’s also more capable of handling the ball there, which could end up being one of his most important skills in Dallas. The Mavs need something in the frontcourt to better balance. Last season, Wood was one of only 17 big men with 200 singles, and he ranked sixth in scoring efficiency among them, according to Second Spectrum. Wood’s 50.4 percent shooting on those opportunities is on par with the league’s best guards, but fairly consistent, well above Porzingis’ 36 percent shooting last season.
JaVale McGee, who will get his chance at the 5, has averaged 17 minutes per game over his career. Wood will be in the middle of his contract year, and likely last, with Luka as his point guard, guaranteed minutes, on a winning team, and trade him for a first-round pick. The Mavericks swung with Porzingis and missed. But now they have a player who has been waiting for his upcoming opportunity. “I want to be an All-Star, I want to win, I was told two years ago. He doesn’t have a better chance.
Kinggame ●Bam Adebayo (Edris Femi Adebayo)
Over the past three seasons, Bam Adebayo has averaged 18 points and five assists. That’s great, especially from one of the NBA’s top defensive talents. But Heat fans have always wanted him to be more offensive — especially as a scorer.
This offseason, Pat Riley said he wanted Adebayo to take at least 15 shots per game, and at media day, Adebayo said he wanted “closer to 18 per game.” That’s a big jump from the 13 he averaged last season, but it’s definitely doable.
A good starting point for Miami is to have Bam attack the rim in more positions. Since 2019, 128 players have had at least 500 drives to the rim, Second Spectrum tracking data shows. Bam ranks 15th in scoring efficiency, but only recorded three drives per game. By comparison, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s score was 7.5, and even Julius Randle’s average was 5.4. More downhill play could allow him to score more in the paint, or create more for his teammates.
If the Heat don’t see the type of development they want from Adebayo and company, there will be even more pressure on management to find superstars through trades to keep their championship . They couldn’t make a deal for Kevin Durant or Donovan Mitchell, but they chose to avoid a hard cap this summer to preserve flexibility in future deals. Can the Blazers be sure it’s in their best interest to trade Damian Lillard and Tank? Could Bradley Beal ask for a six-month deal on his new five-year max contract? What if the Lakers fail and LeBron James’ eyes are erratic? This is the NBA, you never know.
Kinggame ● Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel
Gobert smashes opponents as a screener. He created the most off-ball screens in the league last season with the Jazz (1,375). For reference, the Timberwolves are seventh in off-ball screens (3,710 total), according to Second Spectrum.
In recent years, Minnesota has lacked a major filter. Gobert could free up shooters like Karl-Anthony Towns, or cutters like Jaden McDaniels. And in the pick-and-roll, he can create better chances for ball handlers like D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards.
Gobert is a player who either hates him or loves him, but he has been an incredible defensive force, and his offensive contributions may be more evident now than ever in Minnesota. The Jazz have Donovan Mitchell, who’s a somewhat limited creator, and Mike Conley, who’s past his prime to host the show. Neither Russell’s playmaking ability nor Ant’s brute-force attacking style. Gobert is the best screener in basketball. He’ll make life easier for new teammates. He’ll give them a lob like they’ve never had in their careers.
Get a feel for the high price Minnesota paid for Gobert. Of course, in a vacuum, a lot of money goes to a player who can’t create shots with the ball. But what he does best can help the players on this list. Russell’s quality of life will improve. Edwards will now have more support by his side to help inspire his development. That’s why the Timberwolves paid Gobert the bonus. They want everything they’ve lost in recent years. now t