To be quite honest, I’m still in some pain about my Boston Celtics. I’m obviously happy that we finally made it past the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 10 years, but to lose like that was not great to watch. However, the past is the past and my friend Khalil Snekcim has a great saying for things of this nature.
What could’ve been, will never be.
And now for one of my own favorite catchphrases.
We have no other choice, but to move.
Let’s get into it.
1. Jonathan Kuminga, SF, Golden State Warriors
A nickname that is almost as crazy as his potential, Jonathan Kuminga is an incredible athlete. And even more importantly, he’s now an NBA Champion. After not seeing the floor that much early in the season, head coach Steve Kerr finally started to involve the athletic forward from Congo in the offense. Kuminga averaged just under 17 minutes a game for Golden State while averaging 9.3 PPG and 3.3 RPG. With the departures of role players like Juan Toscano-Anderson and Gary Payton II, Kuminga will have an even bigger role this upcoming year for the reigning champions.
2. Cam Thomas, SG, Brooklyn Nets
With the current fiasco surrounding the Brooklyn Nets organization surrounding both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, they’re going to need players to step up in bigger roles this year. And one of those players is Cam Thomas. Cam Thomas is an absolute bucket. In his one year at LSU Thomas averaged 23 PPG, only one point behind the nation leader Max Abmas. After being selected late in the first round by the Nets, Thomas had a point to prove in his rookie year. He finished the year getting just above 17 minutes a game while averaging 8.5 PPG on 43% shooting from the field. With the team looking in the direction of a total overhaul, head coach Steve Nash is going to need scorers off the bench. That’s where Thomas steps in. Expect to see him reach another level in an increased role.
3. Jalen Green, SG, Houston Rockets
Now you may be wondering why I put Jalen Green on this list. For me it’s simple, the game hasn’t even fully come to him yet. Jalen Green went from high school basketball, to the G-League Ignite and straight to the NBA. He had a big adjusting period at the beginning of the year, but towards the end it seemed to look like he started getting the hang of things. Green now has the experience that he was lacking at the beginning of his rookie year last year. The Rockets are still a very young team, but they have a lot of potential. Potential that can be reached by handing Jalen Green the keys to the offense. The Rockets did exactly that when they traded their star big-man Christian Wood to the Dallas Mavericks. Look out for him to rise above that 17.3 PPG that he averaged last year.
4. Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have made one thing clear this offseason. Tyrese Halliburton is their guy. Trading away Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics solidified that. Halliburton has been handed the reins to a team that is in a current rebuild. Haliburton is an elite scorer, but he can create his shot when needed and his defense is exceptional. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time. The recent DeAndre Ayton sign-and-trade rumors that I’ve been seeing would add even more stock to this take right here, but only time will tell.
5. Anfernee Simons, SG, Portland Trail Blazers
With the return of both Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic, watch out for Anfernee Simons this year. Simons was the Blazers #1 guy for a lot of the year due to Lillard’s injury and the departure of C.J. McCollum. Now with the additions of Jerami Grant via trade and Gary Payton II via free agency, the Blazers are getting some pieces to take the pressure off of Dame. Simons will blossom in all sorts of ways alongside Lillard. Just wait on it.
This is my fourth article written in the last 48 hours. That’s a lot of typing and thinking for my big head. I have one eye on Summer League and one eye on Liverpool’s pre-season tour. That will conclude this article. I’ll be back soon for the football edition of the “breakout season” series. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.
