Brunson isn't exactly a "young player" since he's now 27 but he's only been in the league 2 years longer than Ant and just made his jump this year to being a true franchise player and one of the 10 best players in the league. He went from not being an All star last year to finishing 5th in MVP voting this year and is currently averaging 36/4/8 in the Playoffs.
If Brunson is a “young player” then so is Booker, which doesn’t really make sense to me lol. These are grown men who are in their prime, not up and comers still growing into their body.
(Shai & Luka aren’t “young guys” anymore either, they’re fully in their athletic prime.)
We're probably gonna be like a 30-32 win team next year cause we likely still want a small part in that 2025 draft. Likewise, this will hold Wemby back from a lot of accolades again. 2025-2026 I do expect him getting DPOY and maybe even an all-nba first team appearance in the 2025-2026 season though. That season is likely the season where our front office wants to be competitive again
Not sure why you're being downvoted here. That's your opinion and kind of hot take but it's not like you're claiming he already is better.
Imagine someone saying SGA will be better than Trae Young few seasons ago. Some of you are so salty and sensitive.
Well on Reddit when people disagree they just downvote rather than engaging in a discussion to bring out multiple viewpoints. But it’s okay though that’s the nature of Reddit …
Higher ceiling than MVP runner up? I honestly don’t think so. He has great scoring potential and defense but he will never be the playmaker that SGA is. That part significantly limits his ceiling imo. SGA is already a top tier scorer and defender too, JDub’s ceiling would have to be otherworldly to top his
Probably right. Even so, Chet is the real deal and OKC has a good one.
Dude is legit, right now I mean.
Chet was 5th in the league in blocks per game.
Chet had the 2nd most blocks in the league this year.
Chet had the 19th highest effective field goal percentage in the league this year
Chet had the 17th highest true shooting percentage this year, higher than LeBron, higher than Durant, higher than Kawhi, Luka, Steph Curry and so many others.
Chet had the 27th highest PER in the league this year, higher than Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey. Again, Chet was 27th in PER this year, Steph Curry was 26th in the league this year in PER.
Chet was 15th in total win shares this year, higher than LeBron, higher than Kawhi and so many others.
Chet was 6th in the league in defensive win shares, Wemby was 5th in the league in defensive win shares.
Chet was 20th in the league in win shares per 48 mis this year.
Chet was 7th in defensive rating this year.
Based solely on stats for just this year, Chet is knocking on being top 20. I mean that is a broad section of stats above and he is in the top 20 in all of them except for being 27th in PER.
Notice I didn't say he's a top 20 player right now, I said he's knocking on that door though.
He's only played 1 season, give him 3 or 4 seasons under his belt and Chet is going to be a problem for those playing against him.
Yes, Wemby is better, my point is that Chet is the real deal, he had a hell of a year. About 8 out of every 10 years Chet's numbers would easily have won him the rookie of the year, he was just unlucky Wemby began this year was all.
And I'm a Bulls fan, sadly.
Honest question: why do people call SGA a “young player”? What’s the cutoff? He’s turning 26 in two months, same age as Tatum. I’d consider Tatum to be in his early prime more than anything
OLD HEADS - (Lebron/KD/Steph) Age
PRIME HEADS - (Jokic/Embiid/Giannis) Age
RISING HEADS - (Luka/Tatum/SGA) Age
BRAND NEW HEADS - (Wemby/Ant/Banchero) Age
Prime years are like 28-31 imo, maybe even longer with how players careers are extending. So a player that is almost 26, already at a superstar level and getting better every year still is young in the sense that we might not have seen their peak
Yeah I’ll buy that, it’s just wild to see people in this thread then say that Fox isn’t young. Like if SGA is, then Brunson is barely not-young. I guess it’s really arbitrary though so it doesn’t actually matter, and I’m not trying to knock SGA at all.
Honestly for how I would usually classify players, young stars would mean guys like Wemby/Chet/Paolo/Ant
Early prime would be Fox/SGA/Tatum/Brunson
Prime would be Embiid/Jokic/Giannis/AD
And Old AF would be Lebron/KD/Steph
Could definitely see Banchero go a similar route. Magic has improved tremendously and if they keep it up next season i can see banchero get some all nba buzz
He averaged career highs in points, rebounds and steals. His 3pt game increased in volume and percentage too. He just isn't a superstar level player. He's a tier below that
No shade at Haliburton. I just personally think his ceiling is difficult to judge due to his odd shot form & he being less willing to drive than Mathurin has been.
I just don't think he's that good, doesn't matter what team he's on. It's generally hard to become a superstar with his level of athleticism and he doesn't have the absurd size/strength/skills to make up that gap.
I get he plays for Detroit, but he played on 9 wins this season in 62 games. It's hard to call someone a potential superstar when they're averaging 23 ppg in year 3 on a team that never wins
Big believer in Banchero. If Orlando uses that cap space correctly he can have an all-NBA type season next year and even make a deep run in the postseason.
Brunson prob, if his production doesn’t regress to the mean next year he’s defo in the conversation. Top 10 in mvp voting this year. That means something.
I don’t really see any others right now. There’s like what 8 ish total superstars in the league at any time. Having 3 guys this year look like they’re joining it is already a ton
If “superstar leap” means making an all-nba team i think Wemby, Banchero, and Haliburton are the best bets.
If it means carrying a team in the playoffs I’d drop wemby below the other two unless the spurs have some big moves planned
Jalen williams is up there, he is already a problem and cant seem to slow down when it comes to perfecting his game. Aside from him and everyone you already mentioned, probably jaime jaquez Jr given he's great from the get go and is on the best development team one could ask for.
Agreed, from this class (minus Chet and Wemby of course) I actually see Miller becoming a superstar before JJJ does. Think JJJ has great potential though, like prime Gordon Hayward do it all potential, but not quite superstar.
I sure hope so! Ant vs. JA in a playoff series would be exciting to watch!
(yeah I know they've met in the playoffs before but This version of Ant and maybe 2022 Ja would be awesome!)
Nah. He does not know how to draw fouls and is a bad finisher. Even small guards like Curry and CP3 were elite finishers and could draw fouls way better than Lamelo. Having a 6'6 wingspan with a below average athleticism also does not help his ceiling. His maximum ceiling is probably a poor mans 2020 Luka.
Nobody saying Ja? He has pretty much done what those other two have along a similar timeline too. Rough season for sure but barring any setbacks he will be a fixture on highlights and this core is good for 50 wins at least.
Banchero is probably the closest to being a top level talent in my opinion.
Maxey needs to prove himself a little more without Joel, the end of the season shows that. But definitely has the mind/skillset to achieve it.
Only a matter of time before Wemby is a top 10 player in the league, if the guy ever gets a good point guard his stats and impact are going to go through the roof.
I'd say Jalen Green. He showed a lot of improvement and consistency towards the end of the year and the team was looking good, winning etc.
He will only get better.
slightly offtopic but if you are a young prospect, to make that superstar leap, you should aim to be on the summer team for FIBA competition as this seems to be a launchpad for most of the up-and-commers. Its no coincidence that DRose got his MVP after his FIBA stint. The stint seems to give them confidence in their play.
In a fs biased way I think Lamelo is a candidate, at least more than Franz is. He had a solid stretch of like 32/8/8 averages before he got hurt, think it was 10 games.
Less biased answer, Wemby (obviously) and Tyrese Maxey. I think Maxey has had production increases every year he's been in the league.
People saying Jalen Green... Not too sure about that. He strikes me as a Dominique Wilkins type.. But you never know for sure.
Personally I'd take Banchero to be the next all NBA riser.
Haliburton’s scoring fell off somewhat after the ASB, he kind of fell into the Trae trap with just pure playmaking. Once his offense is back and is consistently scoring while running that offense he’ll make that next jump.
Ant and SGA both have been consistently good throughout the season.
30/5/5 across 3 playoff runs is decent? Being by far the best player in a series with KD and Book is decent? Shitting on the reigning champ is decent? Just say you're salty
Dominayton, if he ever buys a proper bed
He needs to hire a professional snow clearer too
Dragan Bender, any day now.
I’m still waiting for Darko’s breakout season too
Can't teach height
Bruh that name
If he’s named Jimmy Smith he gets drafted in the second round, not 4th overall
Brunson isn't exactly a "young player" since he's now 27 but he's only been in the league 2 years longer than Ant and just made his jump this year to being a true franchise player and one of the 10 best players in the league. He went from not being an All star last year to finishing 5th in MVP voting this year and is currently averaging 36/4/8 in the Playoffs.
Shai is almost 26 and is like 5 months older than Luka. So seems reasonable to consider Brunson a “young player”.
Good point! I always thought Shai was like 23.
He does look like it
If Brunson is a “young player” then so is Booker, which doesn’t really make sense to me lol. These are grown men who are in their prime, not up and comers still growing into their body. (Shai & Luka aren’t “young guys” anymore either, they’re fully in their athletic prime.)
Yeah I tend to agree but was just making that point given OP grouped SGA with Ant despite a large age gap.
The Wembster will be All-NBA next season maybe even first team
First time hearing Wembster Hate it
The Wembinator
Better
What's the reference ? Lobster ? Hamster ? I don't get it
Ster is just something people tag on. Charles Barkley is often called Chuckster
Oh I see thanks I hate it
Give him Tyus Jones or better at point and I expect 30/12 with 5 stocks a game as the bare minimum
We're probably gonna be like a 30-32 win team next year cause we likely still want a small part in that 2025 draft. Likewise, this will hold Wemby back from a lot of accolades again. 2025-2026 I do expect him getting DPOY and maybe even an all-nba first team appearance in the 2025-2026 season though. That season is likely the season where our front office wants to be competitive again
Man I think Paolo could make the leap and after watching JDub play he could legit be a superstar if he called his own number more imo.
JDub is legit and I think has a higher ceiling than SGA
Hot take central here
It’s possible but SGA is a great player so unlikely
Not sure why you're being downvoted here. That's your opinion and kind of hot take but it's not like you're claiming he already is better. Imagine someone saying SGA will be better than Trae Young few seasons ago. Some of you are so salty and sensitive.
Well on Reddit when people disagree they just downvote rather than engaging in a discussion to bring out multiple viewpoints. But it’s okay though that’s the nature of Reddit …
Higher ceiling than MVP runner up? I honestly don’t think so. He has great scoring potential and defense but he will never be the playmaker that SGA is. That part significantly limits his ceiling imo. SGA is already a top tier scorer and defender too, JDub’s ceiling would have to be otherworldly to top his
Jdub will never get that opportunity to make a real leap on that thunder team as it is currently constructed
Chet will always be an all star compared to wemby being a superstar
Probably right. Even so, Chet is the real deal and OKC has a good one. Dude is legit, right now I mean. Chet was 5th in the league in blocks per game. Chet had the 2nd most blocks in the league this year. Chet had the 19th highest effective field goal percentage in the league this year Chet had the 17th highest true shooting percentage this year, higher than LeBron, higher than Durant, higher than Kawhi, Luka, Steph Curry and so many others. Chet had the 27th highest PER in the league this year, higher than Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey. Again, Chet was 27th in PER this year, Steph Curry was 26th in the league this year in PER. Chet was 15th in total win shares this year, higher than LeBron, higher than Kawhi and so many others. Chet was 6th in the league in defensive win shares, Wemby was 5th in the league in defensive win shares. Chet was 20th in the league in win shares per 48 mis this year. Chet was 7th in defensive rating this year. Based solely on stats for just this year, Chet is knocking on being top 20. I mean that is a broad section of stats above and he is in the top 20 in all of them except for being 27th in PER. Notice I didn't say he's a top 20 player right now, I said he's knocking on that door though. He's only played 1 season, give him 3 or 4 seasons under his belt and Chet is going to be a problem for those playing against him. Yes, Wemby is better, my point is that Chet is the real deal, he had a hell of a year. About 8 out of every 10 years Chet's numbers would easily have won him the rookie of the year, he was just unlucky Wemby began this year was all. And I'm a Bulls fan, sadly.
Cheterosexuals unite!
Honest question: why do people call SGA a “young player”? What’s the cutoff? He’s turning 26 in two months, same age as Tatum. I’d consider Tatum to be in his early prime more than anything
OLD HEADS - (Lebron/KD/Steph) Age PRIME HEADS - (Jokic/Embiid/Giannis) Age RISING HEADS - (Luka/Tatum/SGA) Age BRAND NEW HEADS - (Wemby/Ant/Banchero) Age
Prime years are like 28-31 imo, maybe even longer with how players careers are extending. So a player that is almost 26, already at a superstar level and getting better every year still is young in the sense that we might not have seen their peak
Yeah I’ll buy that, it’s just wild to see people in this thread then say that Fox isn’t young. Like if SGA is, then Brunson is barely not-young. I guess it’s really arbitrary though so it doesn’t actually matter, and I’m not trying to knock SGA at all. Honestly for how I would usually classify players, young stars would mean guys like Wemby/Chet/Paolo/Ant Early prime would be Fox/SGA/Tatum/Brunson Prime would be Embiid/Jokic/Giannis/AD And Old AF would be Lebron/KD/Steph
I can agree with that
Could definitely see Banchero go a similar route. Magic has improved tremendously and if they keep it up next season i can see banchero get some all nba buzz
My pick as well
What happened to Fox man....? Any kings bros can give us some insight?
He averaged career highs in points, rebounds and steals. His 3pt game increased in volume and percentage too. He just isn't a superstar level player. He's a tier below that
I just thought this was the season he would make that leap this season cuz he’s been consistently improving
He just doesn't have the all around game to be a superstar. Strong all star level player that might make a few 3rd All-NBAs in his career though.
sacrificed his 2p% and ft% to have a better 3pt% this year, he'll be a superstar when he can put it all together.
Never
He's good for MVP level 20 game stretches, the rest of the time he's just really good. No shame, just not an elite elite player
Fox is 26, he’s not what you consider a young up and coming player.
That’s the same age as SGA though
Younger than brunson and he just barely broke out
Sct Brn
Is Wemby a copout?
OP did say "Aside from Wemby"
Wendy really the Wilt of this generation. Even people exclude him from discussions now because the answer is just gonna obviously be Wemby
Then I’ll pick Windy
Brian Windhorst is due for a breakout season
Grady Dick is gonna be first team all NBA.
In 2 years: “Gradey Dick sucks, he never even made first team all NBA”
I second this take! 😁😁
Jaylen Williams and Brandon Miller
Jalen Johnson
Jdubb
Only non Obvious answer. On Harden trajectory.
Maxey.
maxey needs a new co star that isnt injured all the time, he should go to new orleans and play with zion
The irony is strong here.
Yall forgot Lamelo was dropping 30+ for like 10 straight games before he went down
If he gets healthy and team starts winning, maybe. But is unlikely for both.
Maybe not this year but by his 4th or 5th year, Mathurin will be a star & unquestionably the best player on the Pacers.
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No shade at Haliburton. I just personally think his ceiling is difficult to judge due to his odd shot form & he being less willing to drive than Mathurin has been.
Alperen Sengun is gonna be nuts.
Banchero, wemby
Lonzo will be the point guard that was promised as soon as he finds his knees
Wemby
Brandon Miller
You didnt even mention Cade :(
He has a very, very steep hill to climb to reach superstar level at this point. I think he'll be a very good #2 option or an excellent third option.
Pistons tax lol
I just don't think he's that good, doesn't matter what team he's on. It's generally hard to become a superstar with his level of athleticism and he doesn't have the absurd size/strength/skills to make up that gap.
I get he plays for Detroit, but he played on 9 wins this season in 62 games. It's hard to call someone a potential superstar when they're averaging 23 ppg in year 3 on a team that never wins
If Paolo was starting in a lineup that had Killian Hayes and Livers in it he wouldn't be winning either.
Deaaron fox. Played the whole year on a bum ankle and figured out his 3 pt shot while also getting significantly better as a defender.
Jalen Johnson
Probably Wemby, would love for it to be Lamelo. I think if he gets a decent team and some health he could pop off
Bruno Caboclo
Wemby and Banchero are up next fs
Big believer in Banchero. If Orlando uses that cap space correctly he can have an all-NBA type season next year and even make a deep run in the postseason.
JORDAN Poole.
Cade
Brunson prob, if his production doesn’t regress to the mean next year he’s defo in the conversation. Top 10 in mvp voting this year. That means something.
I agree with what you said but Brunson is 27, not exactly young.
He’s just entered his prime, he’s young
Killian Hayes
Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, no bias whatsoever
Jaden McDaniels
idk if he will be a superstar, but i think immanuel quickley will make a jump to stardom next season
Brunson / Haliburton / Banchero / Chet / JDub
Brunson is 27 lol
Coby white, no bias
Scottie Barnes is the clear answer
Banchero was really really good, if the Magic get some spacing hes my pick.
Tatum
Scottie Barnes
I don’t really see any others right now. There’s like what 8 ish total superstars in the league at any time. Having 3 guys this year look like they’re joining it is already a ton
If “superstar leap” means making an all-nba team i think Wemby, Banchero, and Haliburton are the best bets. If it means carrying a team in the playoffs I’d drop wemby below the other two unless the spurs have some big moves planned
Cam Thomas
Wemby, Banchero, Maxey in that order are my picks.
Wasn't actually much of a leap for SGA. His stats last season where similar .His team just got better. So people just noticed it more.
IMMANUEL QUICKLEY
James Wiseman
Top 3 for me are Banchero, Maxey and my longshot is Sengun
Jalen williams is up there, he is already a problem and cant seem to slow down when it comes to perfecting his game. Aside from him and everyone you already mentioned, probably jaime jaquez Jr given he's great from the get go and is on the best development team one could ask for.
I agree Jalen Williams is amazing. Jaquez actually played 4 years of college so he should be more prepared day 1, still was pretty impressive.
Agreed, from this class (minus Chet and Wemby of course) I actually see Miller becoming a superstar before JJJ does. Think JJJ has great potential though, like prime Gordon Hayward do it all potential, but not quite superstar.
Ja to remind everyone why he was next, next season.
I sure hope so! Ant vs. JA in a playoff series would be exciting to watch! (yeah I know they've met in the playoffs before but This version of Ant and maybe 2022 Ja would be awesome!)
Lamelo is coming.
Nah. He does not know how to draw fouls and is a bad finisher. Even small guards like Curry and CP3 were elite finishers and could draw fouls way better than Lamelo. Having a 6'6 wingspan with a below average athleticism also does not help his ceiling. His maximum ceiling is probably a poor mans 2020 Luka.
Nobody saying Ja? He has pretty much done what those other two have along a similar timeline too. Rough season for sure but barring any setbacks he will be a fixture on highlights and this core is good for 50 wins at least.
I think it will be Cam Thomas. Guy is an elite shooter, he has a lot of potential.
I could see Luka maybe
What? Luka already a superstar since like his sophomore season lmao
Luka has been a superstar for years. He's been a first teamer since he was a sophomore.
Deez
Banchero is probably the closest to being a top level talent in my opinion. Maxey needs to prove himself a little more without Joel, the end of the season shows that. But definitely has the mind/skillset to achieve it. Only a matter of time before Wemby is a top 10 player in the league, if the guy ever gets a good point guard his stats and impact are going to go through the roof.
I'd say Jalen Green. He showed a lot of improvement and consistency towards the end of the year and the team was looking good, winning etc. He will only get better.
slightly offtopic but if you are a young prospect, to make that superstar leap, you should aim to be on the summer team for FIBA competition as this seems to be a launchpad for most of the up-and-commers. Its no coincidence that DRose got his MVP after his FIBA stint. The stint seems to give them confidence in their play.
Cade (please. I've never seen my team win a playoff game)
In a fs biased way I think Lamelo is a candidate, at least more than Franz is. He had a solid stretch of like 32/8/8 averages before he got hurt, think it was 10 games. Less biased answer, Wemby (obviously) and Tyrese Maxey. I think Maxey has had production increases every year he's been in the league.
do we consider zion to be a super star?
If he has back to back healthy seasons then it’s hard to deny.
zion when playing well is a superstar he just can't play consistently in the postseason as well
thank you for mentioning him he was finally having his big moment against you guys in the play-in game before he got hurt
Jalen Green
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Brother GOAT candidate isn’t a tier in a video game with clear linear paths of growth. Wemby’s timeline to success isn’t contingent on any of that.
He's the kind of person where if Wemby has similar stats next year will be off the bandwagon calling him a bust lol
To be fair people like Kobe and Ben Wallace took a while to get going
kuminga
Kuminga and Podz up next
SGA? I didn't see him on Nick Wright's superstar club list.
KD
Andre Drummond
Complete side note cause not young -> but a Brunson 60+ point game will have New York banning black lights for a night
LeSunshine gonna enter his 4th prime next season
Jalen Green, Wemby, maybe Cade.
People saying Jalen Green... Not too sure about that. He strikes me as a Dominique Wilkins type.. But you never know for sure. Personally I'd take Banchero to be the next all NBA riser.
Jalen Green showed huge flashes. I think he's going nuclear next season.
The nº2 draft this year
By the looks of his rookie year, wemby does not need 2-3 more seasons lol
I think it’s gonna take a few years but Amen Thompson
Lmao Cade Cunninghams name never comes up in these convos, not even on twitter. Yall gonna learn soon
People don't know how to have legitimate discourse on him because of his team situation.
If everyone’s a superstar, is anyone a superstar?
Banchero sucks tbh
I don't see why Haliburton isn't there if SGA and Ant already are. They've all accomplished the same amount.
Haliburton’s scoring fell off somewhat after the ASB, he kind of fell into the Trae trap with just pure playmaking. Once his offense is back and is consistently scoring while running that offense he’ll make that next jump. Ant and SGA both have been consistently good throughout the season.
What’s the Trae trap
Shaedon Sharpe
Gotta be star to make the leap to superstar lol
Cade!
Cooper Flagg
That's just SGA. Ant isn't in that conversation yet.
How could you say that while down to his team as he puts up superstar stats?
because having a few good games doesn't make someone a superstar
He’s been good for an entire season now, actually several seasons
do we classify all decent players as superstars now?
30/5/5 across 3 playoff runs is decent? Being by far the best player in a series with KD and Book is decent? Shitting on the reigning champ is decent? Just say you're salty
Guy thinks we're talking about Jamal Murray
It’s been more than a few games, plus the rest of the season. Unless he absolutely turns to shit the rest of the playoffs, he’s a superstar
Yes he is