#45 Draymond Green – PF – Golden State Warriors
2020-21 Stats: 7.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 8.9 APG, 1.7 STL, 0.8 BLK, 44.7 FG%, 27.0 3P%
One of the most versatile players in the entire league, Draymond Green is not much of a scoring weapon for the Golden State Warriors, but he is the “heart-and-soul” of this team. Without him, their game plan does not work and he is the catalyst for them to get things going on both offense and defense.
Whatever he says goes for this team and last season, he became the first player in NBA history to average more rebounds and assists per game than points. I am not really sure if this is something to brag about, but this just proves what kind of player Green is.
He knows his role in the league and being a Defensive Player of the Year candidate year-in and year-out, Draymond Green always seems to be a reliable player for Golden State. However, they are going to need him to be effective and take some chances scoring on offense this year if this team is going to have a shot to contend for another title.
#44 Michael Porter Jr. – SF/PF – Denver Nuggets
2020-21 Stats: 19.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.7 STL, 0.9 BLK, 54.2 FG%, 44.5 3P%
Once considered the best player in the 2018 draft class, Michael Porter Jr. fell all the way to 14th overall in 2018 due to a back injury suffered in college, but Denver saw greatness in him. Porter Jr. missed all of the 2018-19 year as he recovered from back surgery, but he proved to be solid during the 2019-20 year and then had a breakout 2020-21 campaign.
With Jamal Murray out due to an ACL injury and no timetable laid out for his return, Michael Porter Jr. enters the 2021-22 season with heavy expectations to be the No. 2 scoring option on the Nuggets next to reigning league-MVP Nikola Jokic.
Given his length on the wing and the potential he has to continue growing on both ends of the court, the 23-year-old forward could legitimately win the Most Improved Player award this season and wind up averaging well over 20 points per game for the season. If he puts things together on defense, we could be looking at the next best two-way star in the NBA for a long-time to come in Denver.
#43 LaMelo Ball – PG – Charlotte Hornets
2020-21 Stats: 15.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.6 STL, 43.6 FG%, 35.2 3P%
LaMelo Ball had a lot of expectations thrown his way last season in Charlotte after he was drafted 3rd overall by the Hornets and the young point guard lived up to the hype. He not only won Rookie of the Year over the likes of No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards, but Ball seemed to elevate this Hornets franchise right away.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51
This kid is “must-see-TV” and is just so good in terms of decision-making. Through one season and at 20-years-old, LaMelo Ball is already one of the best passers in the entire league and he is only going to get better. A “triple-double-like” threat, Ball has the attention of fans, stars of the league, and plenty of other famous athletes, actors, etc. from around the nation!
This guy is a special player and being one of the top players in the league under 21-years-old, he is in the perfect situation to continue growing in Charlotte next to other young, dynamic players.
#42 Klay Thompson – SG – Golden State Warriors
2018-19 Stats*: 21.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 STL, 46.7 FG%, 40.2 3P%
*Thompson has missed the last two seasons due to ACL and Achilles injuries
That first time he takes the court this season is going to be a magical moment for Klay Thompson and the NBA community, as the 5x All-Star has not played in an actual game since his ACL injury in the 2019 NBA Finals, but we have no idea what to expect from Thompson.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51
When the season begins on October 19, it will mark 859 days since the Warriors’ sharpshooter has played in a game and if he returns on Christmas like some reports are suggesting, then that will be 926 total days between games!
Of course, we are going to expect greatness from one of the All-Time greatest shooters in Klay Thompson, but Golden State is going to be extremely cautious with him this year. If he returns to the court and looks like the Klay Thompson of old, then look out for the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference!
#41 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – SG/PG – Oklahoma City Thunder
2020-21 Stats: 23.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.9 APG, 0.8 STL, 0.7 BLK, 50.8 FG%, 41.8 3P%
Another guy who could make a legit case for Most Improved Player this season is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the youngest teams in the league and they are almost definitely going to finish bottom-five in the league’s standings, but Gilgeous-Alexander is way ahead in his development and could make a real All-Star case this year as well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51
Prior to suffering a significant tear in his plantar fascia and missing 37 games last year, the young combo-guard is out to prove himself this year and will be “the guy” in OKC. Prior to getting injured, he was putting up All-Star-like numbers and will now have to live up to the hype everyone is throwing on him, especially since the Thunder gave him a five-year, $172M contract extension this offseason.
