NBA Power Rankings 2: Jordan Poole leads breakout candidates

last week’s rankings</a> is more a function of injury news about players that we have received clarity on in the past week. If something significant happened in the preseason we will touch on it, but for the most part, we will wait until more teams have played a similar number of games and we have seen more teams play something akin to a normal rotation.</p> <h2>The NBA is back! This week’s Power Rankings pivot to looking ahead at the season to come and how teams are developing for the future</h2> <p>With the season still over a week away, we’ll take this week to examine another aspect of teams. Last week we looked back at the offseason; now we look at teams and their young cores. What does the future hold for each team in the league? Teams at the bottom will devote all of their playing time to their young cores, while contenders are gunning for wins. How do teams in the middle balance development and competitiveness?</p> <p>In that vein, we will spotlight one breakout candidate for each team. Which players are poised to take a major leap forward and become difference-makers on their teams and in the league? Let’s identify which players to watch in the preseason and the start of the year. We will attempt to avoid rookies whenever possible, as they are not so much “breakout out” but “leaping in” to the league.</p> <p>As will likely be the case for most of the season, let’s start things off in Orlando.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 30 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436498" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436498" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345395929.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345395929.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345395929-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="30" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Orlando Magic" data-team-id="38" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 30th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">30 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Orlando Magic </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">30</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmagic.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Orlando Magic come into the season as the consensus bottom-rung squad in the league, the team most expected to have the best lottery odds come the end of the season. They are leaning into the rebuild, stocking the roster with young prospects and giving them plenty of run.</p> <p>So far, the preseason has been a rotation laboratory for new head coach Jamahl Mosley, who has started nine different Magic players across two games. There are 10 first-round picks 24 and under on this roster, including six top-eight picks, so that tinkering is necessary to find the best combinations and identify which players have real upside.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player: </strong>Wendell Carter Jr. Acquired from the Chicago Bulls in the Nikola Vucevic trade, Carter Jr. has shown flashes of being a low-end starting center. Can he develop into more than that? In Orlando he’s been given the green light to shoot from outside, taking seven 3-pointers across two preseason games, and he has defensive chops as a center who can protect the rim and survive in space. With Isaac out to start the year and Mo Bamba a major unknown, Carter could take a leap forward with room to grow in the frontcourt.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 29 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436499" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436499" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2132,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1299683498.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2132" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299683498.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1299683498-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="29" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Houston Rockets" data-team-id="169" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 29th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">29 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Houston Rockets </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">29</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Frockets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>After trading James Harden last season the Houston Rockets embraced the youth movement, giving as many minutes as possible to young players such as Kevin Porter Jr., Jae’Sean Tate and Kenyon Martin Jr. That gave valuable developmental minutes to those players while at the same time securing elite draft capital that ultimately became four first-round picks.</p> <p>In one draft the Rockets may have secured their core of the future, but they will need to give them room to breathe and be patient with their development. Jalen Green already looks like a future star, dropping 20 points in his most recent preseason game. Which of his fellow rookies — Alperen Sengun, Usman Garuba and Josh Christopher — pop alongside him?</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player: </strong>Jae’Sean Tate. Any of the rookies could be accurate picks, but they are all very young and their true breakouts are likely down the road. One player who will get plenty of playing time is Jae’Sean Tate, who caught on with the Rockets last year and averaged 11.3 points per game as a rookie. He’s this team’s best perimeter defender other than David Nwaba and could prove himself a future starter on the wing with a big year.</p> <p>Kevin Porter Jr. is likely the trendy pick given his talent, but his college and pro career has been a series of peaks and valleys, so I’m going to ride it out with KPJ until he does it consistently.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 28 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_430565" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-430565" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2137,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1317541813.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2137" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1317541813.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1317541813-768x513.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="28" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Detroit Pistons" data-team-id="64" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 28th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">28 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Detroit Pistons </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">28</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpistons.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Detroit Pistons beautifully landed at the top of the 2021 NBA Draft and took Cade Cunningham first overall, adding him to a young core that included three top-20 picks from the previous season. The addition of a few key veterans could signal this team is fine winning a few games this year, but their overall goal appears to be (and should be) to develop those young pieces to see what they have.</p> <p>If they rely on Cunningham and last year’s No. 7 pick Killian Hayes to run the offense, this team will likely be very bad again. Both are basically rookies this year, with Hayes limited to just 26 games last season. How those two develop will go a long way to determining how quickly this team rises back out of the basement.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player: </strong>Saddiq Bey. The former Villanova Wildcat tumbled a bit down draft boards because of a lack of elite athleticism, but he showed in a solid rookie campaign that he should have been rising on draft boards instead. He went sixth in our <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/06/29/nba-draft-lamelo-ball-2020-redraft/">2020 NBA Redraft</a> and has shown secondary playmaking ability alongside a fearless and accurate 3-point shot. He will be a long-term starter on the wing for this team; can he become one of their stars?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 27 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422459" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-422459" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1298709730.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1298709730.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1298709730-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="27" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Oklahoma City Thunder" data-team-id="149" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 26th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">27 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Oklahoma City Thunder </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">26</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fthunder.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Oklahoma City Thunder are in absolutely no rush. They have a war chest packed to the brim with other teams’ draft picks, a roster of young players and prospects, and an ownership group that seems committed to giving Sam Presti all the time he needs to build a future contender.</p> <p>That likely means one more season in the tank before they emerge to advance on the rest of the league. The fastest route to losing games is to play raw prospects a lot of minutes, and they seem set to do exactly that. Josh Giddey looked excellent in his preseason debut with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Aleksej Pokusevski is still an NBA unknown despite playing significant minutes as a rookie last year. This team will take it slow.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The only problem with the Thunder taking things slow is that they have a bona fide star on their roster in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While he has plenty of respect and just signed a max contract, he doesn’t seem to be recognized leaguewide as a legitimate star guard. He could take yet another step forward this year and even make the All-Star team, which would officially stamp him as a breakout player.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 26 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436550" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436550" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1312730208.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1312730208.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1312730208-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="26" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Cleveland Cavaliers" data-team-id="156" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 27th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">26 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Cleveland Cavaliers </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">27</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fcavaliers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Cleveland Cavaliers have already played three preseason games, and in all three they started the same ultra-young group of players: Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. That group’s average age is just 21 years old. Throw in Lauri Markkanen and their top-6 are all 24 years old or younger.</p> <p>The Cavs are our first team to move up from last week, and that’s on account of rookie Evan Mobley looking so good defensively. He knows where to be, moves his feet well and his recovery speed and length make him a threat to block any shots, jumpers and rim shots alike. He lacks strength and will still make rookie mistakes, but he looks like the real deal already.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Darius Garland. While Mobley’s breakout is in the future, Garland’s is waiting in the here-and-now to occur. After a slow start as a rookie, he took a huge step forward last season and seems poised to break out this season. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://kingjamesgospel.com/2021/10/06/cavs-evan-mobley-receives-vote-confidence-annual-nba-gm-survey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rest of the league</a> seems to be expecting him to make the leap, and he should establish himself this year as a better player than Collin Sexton. This will be his backcourt by the end of the year.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 25 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436549" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436549" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1293244887.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1293244887.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1293244887-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="25" data-rank-type="team" data-name="San Antonio Spurs" data-team-id="29" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 25th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">25 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>San Antonio Spurs </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">25</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fspurs.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The San Antonio Spurs have already done things a certain way, at least for the last 25 years. They rarely make trades, they develop their own talent, and they turn castoff veterans into reliable rotation pieces. This season they are pivoting, letting their veterans walk to embrace something of a youth movement.</p> <p>That doesn’t mean tanking, as many of those young pieces are established and on their second contracts. It does mean more playing time for their young core to develop, however, and to see who is the best of the group. Dejounte Murray is one of the league’s best defensive guards but has a broken shot, while Derrick White can never stay healthy long enough to build something meaningful. Does Gregg Popovich have enough to push for the playoffs? Likely not, so the youth movement could get even more pronounced down the stretch.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Keldon Johnson. I’m lukewarm on both Murray and White becoming more than they currently are, but in the frontcourt, the Spurs have a third-year player ready to shine. Keldon Johnson was a late first-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft but has blossomed into a strong starter. This past summer he was picked to be a role player for the Team USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Team, and that experience often launches players ahead in their careers. Look for Johnson to improve this season and potentially be the best player on this roster at season’s end.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 24 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436548" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436548" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345398872.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345398872.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345398872-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="24" data-rank-type="team" data-name="New Orleans Pelicans" data-team-id="69" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 22nd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">24 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>New Orleans Pelicans </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">22</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpelicans.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The New Orleans Pelicans yet again shook things up in the offseason, but the net result is that they got a little younger and freed up minutes for their younger players. They might be trying hard to push for the playoffs, but they are also providing space for their youth to develop. One or both of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr. could start, and there will be more minutes for Jaxson Hayes and Josh Hart this season.</p> <p>The Pelicans’ first-round pick has been spitting fire this offseason, hitting 12 of his 19 3-pointers through two games. That bodes well for his ability to be a rotation piece from the jump. On the pessimistic side, Zion Williamson is again hurt and may miss the start of the season recovering from foot surgery. That uncertainty is enough to bump them down a couple of spots this week.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The third-year combo guard out of Virginia Tech is the best bet in the backcourt to start, as he brings size (6’6″) and some defensive ability, a rarity in the starting lineup ever since Jrue Holiday was traded. He looked like one of Canada’s best players in men’s Olympic Qualifiers this past summer and can take advantage of the new role and minutes allotment to make his mark.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 23 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_427871" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-427871" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1129,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1232618120.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1129" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1232618120.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1232618120-768x542.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="23" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Sacramento Kings" data-team-id="84" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 24th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">23 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Sacramento Kings </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">24</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fkings.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Sacramento Kings have made a number of mistakes as an organization over the past few years, including overpaying Buddy Hield and then choosing to keep him and let Bogdan Bogdanovic walk in restricted free agency. They almost shook free of that mistake this offseason by trading Hield to the Los Angeles Lakers before it fell through.</p> <p>Hield is a one-dimensional player, a shooter who offers little else in terms of playmaking or defense. That might be fine for a lottery team like Sacramento if they didn’t have other options in-house. Davion Mitchell looks terrifying defensively and gives this team a very different look. De’Aaron Fox has been impactful in the preseason and looks poised for a career year. And the true upside swing lies on the shoulders of one Tyrese Haliburton.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Tyrese Haliburton. One of the best rising sophomores in the league, Tyrese Haliburton looks like a true difference-maker for Sacramento. His long wingspan and great instincts suggest potential to be a perimeter stopper, while on offense he was doing everything from running pick-and-rolls to spot-up shooting to cutting and driving to the rim.</p> <p>Things will be crowded with three high-upside point guards all clamoring for minutes, but the Kings need to either find a way for it to work with all three, or showcase one for a trade. Haliburton has earned a significant rotation role, if not a starting position, and could take advantage of the lack of attention to put together a monster season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 22 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_430564" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-430564" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2130,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1304570663.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2130" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1304570663.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1304570663-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="22" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Minnesota Timberwolves" data-team-id="86" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 23rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">22 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Minnesota Timberwolves </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">23</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Ftimberwolves.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Once upon a time, the Minnesota Timberwolves put together a young core that had fans and media the league over swooning. Now Zach LaVine is realizing his potential in Chicago, and Andrew Wiggins has redefined himself as a defensive stopper on the Golden State Warriors. Now the circle is back again, with another young core for the Wolves.</p> <p>Can Karl-Anthony Towns stay healthy and make the leap into Top 10 consideration? Can De’Angelo Russell find ways to make an impact without the ball in his hands? Anthony Edwards showed flashes of brilliance last season, but they were inconsistent; can he tighten things up? The Wolves have a new coach and a new outlook, and they are frisky enough to push for a spot in the play-in tournament. If they do, it will be because of their young core, not in spite of it.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Jaden McDaniels. Anthony Edwards is burning through point totals, but he has a gargantuan number of holes in his game and has to compete with De’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns for points and a spotlight.</p> <p>Enter Jaden McDaniels, who can be a scorer but showed last season he has a lot of defensive potential as well. The Wolves need an option at power forward and McDaniels can absolutely be that, playing hard on defense and filling his role on offense. He likely won’t post gaudy numbers, but his impact could be significant and he could get recognition if the Wolves go on a run.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 21 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436547" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436547" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1060,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345743697.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1060" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345743697.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345743697-768x509.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="21" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Washington Wizards" data-team-id="142" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 21st" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">21 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Washington Wizards </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">21</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwizards.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Washington Wizards made one of the moves of the offseason, offloading Russell Westbrook and his contract in order to receive both draft capital and solid players more easily traded. While they have to stay competitive to convince Bradley Beal to stay, if they can, their path to get there will be less defined by Westbrook’s style of play and more by the youngsters.</p> <p>The Wizards have invested a lot of draft capital and money into the power forward position, from a pair of top-10 picks for Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija to a major contract for Davis Bertans to bringing in Kyle Kuzma in the Westbrook trade. They even traded back in the 2021 NBA Draft and took a power forward prospect in Isaiah Todd.</p> <p>Will any of those players pop? Can one of them become the team’s long-term option at the forward position? Or will these players churn through the roster and be discarded? Someone has to take a step forward to show Beal he can win in Washington.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Daniel Gafford. The logjam at power forward could theoretically include the team’s breakout player, but it’s impossible to sort through it and determine who will take the step forward. At center, there are fewer bodies, and Daniel Gafford could prove himself better than both of the other options if he decides to. He doesn’t shoot but he is a presence inside, rebounds, blocks shots and plays in a high-energy sort of manner. The Wizards have a pair of me-first offensive players in Montrezl Harrell and Thomas Bryant at the center position, and Gafford’s unselfish play could gain him his next contract.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 20 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436546" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436546" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1315780977.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1315780977.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1315780977-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Image</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="20" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Toronto Raptors" data-team-id="81" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 19th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">20 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Toronto Raptors </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">19</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fraptors.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Toronto Raptors were unwilling participants in the NBA Lottery last season, a proud team without a literal home (COVID restrictions forced them to play home games in Tampa, Florida) that saw their season crumble into a disaster. They maximized that disaster season by tanking at the end of the season to earn the fourth overall pick, which they used on Scottie Barnes.</p> <p>He somewhat creates their young core by himself. Players like Gary Trent Jr., Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa are all 22 or older already, which means they still have room to grow but aren’t burgeoning with a mountain of upside. Do the Raptors lean into their youth and try to add another lottery piece, or do they fight to get back into the playoff bracket? Their roster could go either way and perhaps it’s a tale of two seasons if they push to win early on and then pivot again to maximize their draft pick.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> OG Anunoby. The former Indiana Hoosiers star has grown steadily since entering the league, becoming one of the absolute best forward defenders in the entire NBA. Offensively he has also added to his game, averaging 15.9 points per game last season. Even more impressively he has hit at least 39 percent of his 3-pointers each of the past two seasons.</p> <p>If Anunoby increases his volume and adds some amount of on-ball creation, he could skyrocket over 20 points per game. With Pascal Siakam on the sideline to start the season, Anunoby will get the chance to prove he is capable of taking that next step forward. 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and elite defense? That’s a special player.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 19 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436545" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436545" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2130,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1316531303.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2130" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1316531303.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1316531303-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="19" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Indiana Pacers" data-team-id="100" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 17th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">19 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Indiana Pacers </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">17</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpacers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Indiana Pacers tumble a couple of spots this week in the power rankings, as it looks like injuries to TJ Warren and Caris LeVert will keep them out for some time to start the season. Who starts in their place? In the Pacers’ most recent preseason game it was Justin Holiday and rookie Chris Duarte on the wing, but Jeremy Lamb is a candidate as well.</p> <p>What is most interesting for a veteran team that starts two centers is that their “young core” mainly consists of two centers, Goga Bitadze and Isaiah Jackson, both of whom will get very limited minutes on a nightly basis due to the presence of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis. Duarte is a rookie but already 24 years old; if we can still count him as part of a young core, his development will be a major swing factor for the roster.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Oshae Brissett. When injuries wrecked the Pacers last season, it was the relatively unknown Oshae Brissett who stepped up to play 21 games, starting 16 and prove himself as a whirling energetic force on both ends of the court. Especially with Warren out, he will be the primary backup at power forward, and with healthier talent around him could earn a long-term role in the league if he can back up the play from late last season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 18 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436544" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436544" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2300,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345512070.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2300" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345512070.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345512070-768x552.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="18" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Charlotte Hornets" data-team-id="170" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 20th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">18 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Charlotte Hornets </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">20</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fhornets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Charlotte Hornets plugged away just outside of the playoffs for a handful of seasons before landing a premium pick last offseason with the No. 3 overall pick, selecting Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball. Ball had a standout rookie season, one that made the entire Charlotte core look more exciting.</p> <p>Gordon Hayward is the adult in the room, and he is surrounded by players who fit into the identity Charlotte is building as a fast team that runs the ball in transition and swarms (pun not intended, but delightfully appreciated) on defense. Miles Bridges and Ball make the league’s best transition duo, and Kelly Oubre Jr. should fit into that ethos as well. The Hornets added a pair of first-round picks in James Bouknight and Kai Jones as well, and how they develop could raise the Hornets’ ceiling in years to come.</p> <p>This season the Hornets seem ready to push for the playoffs and make the eight-team field proper, and they have the right mix of players built around LaMelo and Hayward that they should have a pretty good chance of doing so. That might mean their youngest players get relegated to spot minutes, but most of their rotation is part of this young core anyways that is on the rise.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> PJ Washington. LaMelo Ball could absolutely take a major leap forward, but we’ll use this space to highlight another option. PJ Washington is just 6’7″ but played 46 percent of his minutes last season at center, and those lineups tended to be wildly successful offensive units that survived on defense by forcing turnovers. If he can hold up at center in the team’s most important moments and take a step forward offensively, he unlocks something special for this team. Given his improvement the past two seasons it seems very much in reach for the young big man.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 17 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436543" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436543" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1303719173.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1303719173.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1303719173-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="17" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Chicago Bulls" data-team-id="24" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 18th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">17 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Chicago Bulls </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">18</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbulls.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Chicago Bulls punted on the youth movement over the past nine months, trading or dumping multiple young players in order to assemble a team ready to win now around Zach LaVine. That doesn’t mean they completely punted on youth, as they still have 20-year-old Patrick Williams slotted to start, and they signed Lonzo Ball to a four-year deal just coming off his rookie contract.</p> <p>Yet the Bulls are clearly going all out to compete, and they signed a pair of guards to play over Coby White, essentially waving the white flag on his role as a cornerstone of this roster. Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen are gone. This past year’s draft pick could have been Franz Wagner or James Bouknight, and instead, it went to the Magic in the Nikola Vucevic trade. The Bulls mortgaged the future for the now, so we’ll have to see whether that pays off. A hot start to the preseason is a good way to begin.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Patrick Williams. The Bulls will be relying on the young forward a lot this season, as Williams will likely start and be asked to defend the other team’s most dangerous frontcourt player. At times that might mean sliding up to guard small forwards, and at other times taking on centers. He will be playing between two very shaky defenders in Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan, so he will need to grow up fast.</p> <p>Williams has the tools to do so, however, and could be up to the task. He was one of the youngest players in last year’s draft and looks like he is fast-tracking his development. In Summer League he looked ahead of his peers already, always a great sign for second-year players. Williams could absolutely take the step forward to be the player the Bulls need.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 16 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_430476" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-430476" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2021%2F06%2F1321507135.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/06/1321507135.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/06/1321507135-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="16" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Memphis Grizzlies" data-team-id="211" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 16th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">16 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Memphis Grizzlies </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">16</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fgrizzlies.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Memphis Grizzlies made the playoffs last year, stepping onto the stage even earlier than expected and letting budding superstar Ja Morant show his stuff under the spotlight. However, this is a careful, thoughtful franchise and rather than bask in the glory of their own achievement and speed things up too fast, they were patient this offseason, gaining assets in salary dumps and drafting a project with the No. 10 pick in Zhaire Williams.</p> <p>The Grizzlies are loaded with young talent, from Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to slightly older players such as Brandon Clarke and DeAndre Melton. Outside of Kyle Anderson and Steven Adams, most of their rotation should improve naturally this season. They can push for the playoffs again while not sacrificing playing time for their young core. The only concession they will have to make is finding time for Williams, but given how raw he is that may not come until next season.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Desmond Bane. The Grizzlies traded away Grayson Allen in order to clear playing time for Desmond Bane. The 3-and-D wing was a rotation player as a rookie and proved to be a draft-day steal with the No. 30 overall pick in the 202 NBA Draft. He shot 43.2 percent from 3-point range and played solid defense. If he becomes the full-time starter there is no reason he can’t maintain his efficiency (or something close to it) while increasing his volume, which will make his impact even more pronounced.</p> <p>In the Grizzlies’ most recent playoff game on Saturday night, Bane got the starting nod and scored 18 points in 20 minutes, hitting four of his eight 3-point attempts. That kind of efficient impact could become a regular thing for Bane and the Grizzlies.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 15 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436540" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436540" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345043588-3.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345043588-3.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345043588-3-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="15" data-rank-type="team" data-name="New York Knicks" data-team-id="27" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 14th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">15 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>New York Knicks </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">14</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The New York Knicks were one of the league’s surprise teams last year, blowing through their win predictions to land home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They consolidated those gains by retaining most of the veteran group that pushed them there while bringing in Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker.</p> <p>All of this means that the team is leaning into winning now, which is completely fair given the Knicks’ recent inability to win consistently. It also means some of their young players will get marginalized. RJ Barrett will still start for this group, but Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson and Immanuel Quickley all sit behind veterans the team prioritized over them (not incorrectly for all but Robinson). If the Knicks can find a way to continue to bring those players along in a busy rotation, they will set themselves up for a most sustainable run moving forward.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Immanuel Quickley. Last year perhaps no rookie was a bigger surprise than Immanuel Quickley, who went from draft-day reach to draft-day highway robbery. He displayed a deadly outside shot, good scoring instincts and enough defensive impact to survive. Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose now crowd the point guard room, but with injuries and rest days sure to fill those two’s calendar Quickley will get the chance to play at times during the regular season. He can parlay those by playing well into evidence so stark even Tom Thibodeau will have to make him a regular part of the rotation by the end of the year.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 14 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436539" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436539" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1344861634-1.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344861634-1.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344861634-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="14" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Boston Celtics" data-team-id="18" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 13th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">14 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Boston Celtics </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">13</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fceltics.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Boston Celtics went through an interesting organizational shakeup this offseason, with head coach Brad Stevens moving into the front office and former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka being hired to take his place. Stevens was legendary for his love of certain players over others, leading to inconsistent opportunities for young prospects to develop.</p> <p>Udoka is an unknown in that area, but there are plenty of young options on this roster looking for playing time. Will players like Josh Richardson get the bulk of the minutes on the wing, or will Aaron Nesmith and Romeo Langford get the first opportunity? Similarly, at center, will it be Al Horford or Robert Williams III playing the bulk of the minutes? Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown hardly qualify as young up-and-comers anymore, but if both or either takes a step forward they likely carry the entire team with them.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Payton Pritchard. Lost in the drama and disappointment of last season is the fact that the Celtics drafted a player at 26 who stepped in as a reliable rotation piece from day one. With Dennis Schroder the only other true point guard on the roster, Pritchard should get minutes to prove himself ready to take a step forward. He was excellent in Summer League and has been efficient in two preseason games, so he’s got a good chance at making his mark this year.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 13 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436538" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436538" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345246999.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345246999.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345246999-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="13" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Los Angeles Clippers" data-team-id="77" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 12th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">13 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Los Angeles Clippers </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">12</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fclippers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The LA Clippers have been in win-now mode for two seasons now, which is what you do when you have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in their primes. They moved much of their draft capital in trades for George or Marcus Morris, and they have filled spots in the rotation with veterans like Reggie Jackson and Nic Batum.</p> <p>This year could be different. The Clippers added three players in the NBA Draft who all have intriguing upside and could fill needs on this roster, bringing pick-and-roll ball-handling (Jason Preston) and athleticism (Keon Johnson and Brandon Boston) that aren’t staples of this roster. With Kawhi Leonard likely out for the season, this could be the right time to find minutes for the young players and give them room to grow.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player</strong>: Terance Mann. One young player who doesn’t need to be gifted minutes I Terance Mann, who showed in the postseason a few months ago that he deserves minutes. It’s not inconceivable that he could start between Paul George and Reggie Jackson, but more likely he will come in as an energy weapon off the bench. Consistent shot-making is Mann’s big opportunity, but if he can retain last year’s shot-making of 40+ percent from behind the line, his defense and activity will make him a dangerous weapon for the Clippers.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 12 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436537" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-436537 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1344980732.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344980732.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344980732-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="12" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Portland Trail Blazers" data-team-id="34" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 15th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">12 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Portland Trail Blazers </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">15</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Ftrailblazers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Portland Trail Blazers don’t take the time to develop young players. Since Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum came into their own, this team has continually cycled through veteran options around them. That doesn’t mean they ignore young players that they draft, but they are rarely given key roles, instead relegated to the bench behind their high-minute starters.</p> <p>That’s unlikely to change this season. Anfernee Simons will get the bulk of the backup guard minutes, and Nassir Little should take whatever backup forward minutes that Larry Nance Jr. does not. Otherwise, this team is about winning now and proving to Damian Lillard he can compete for a title in Portland. That’s a tall task for new head coach Chauncey Billups.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> There is no good answer on this roster, so we’ll go out of the box and say Larry Nance Jr. Stuck on a languishing Cleveland Cavaliers team the past few years, Nance has quietly become an incredibly versatile and impactful defender. We talked about it in last week’s power rankings too, but his ability to defend anyone from small forwards to centers is the exact opposite of what the Blazers had last season with Enes Kanter and Carmelo Anthony coming in off the bench. If Portland wins playoff games closing with Nance at center he could finally get some of the recognition that he deserves.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 11 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_409909" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-409909" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1192196950.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1192196950.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1192196950-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="11" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Dallas Mavericks" data-team-id="79" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 11th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">11 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Dallas Mavericks </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">11</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmavericks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Dallas Mavericks are led by a young player, as Luka Doncic is somehow entering just his fourth season in the league. In those first three years, he has made two All-NBA teams and done simply magnificent things in the playoffs, even if his team has lost to the LA Clippers in the first round both times.</p> <p>Unfortunately for the Mavericks, they have failed to develop a lot of young pieces around and behind Doncic. Last year the team added two players in the top-31 picks of the draft, Josh Green and Tyrell Terry, and neither could even sniff the rotation last year. The organization seems ready to find a way to win right now with Doncic, which likely makes it difficult for Green or Terry to find much time this year as well.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Jalen Brunson. The one younger player who has earned minutes on this roster is Brunson, the former Villanova point guard who has come along as Doncic’s primary backup and occasional partner in the backcourt. Brunson is not an athletically explosive player, but he’s very smart and careful with the ball in his hands. He shot over 40 percent from 3-point range last season. If he can increase his minutes closer to 30 a night, maintain that accuracy and take a step forward as a defender, he could be part of the closing five for a very good Dallas Mavericks team.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 10 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436536" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436536" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1235778054.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1235778054.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1235778054-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="10" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Denver Nuggets" data-team-id="73" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 10th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">10 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Denver Nuggets </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">10</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnuggets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Denver Nuggets are in a bit of limbo this year as Jamal Murray rehabs from a torn ACL. Prior to his injury last season this was a title contender, but now they have to bide their time and wait for Murray to return. That could mean time to let some of the young players on this roster breathe and get a shot to prove themselves.</p> <p>Bol Bol is one of the more exciting players in that mold, but his tantalizing upside hasn’t realized itself yet. Bones Hyland was Denver’s first-round pick this past summer and looked really fun in Summer League. He has only looked more fun in the preseason, including racking up 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists (with 6 3-pointers) in Denver’s preseason game Friday night. With Murray out, hopefully, we get to see plenty of “Bones” this season.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Michael Porter Jr. The Denver Nuggets just agreed to a maximum contract extension with Porter this offseason, as he has firmly established himself as a part of this team’s core. This year will be about proving he is part of their star power. He averaged 19 points per game last season, and with Murray out, he could and should increase that into the low-to-mid-20s. He is a career 43.9 percent 3-point shooter, and the sky is the limit for who he can become as an offensive player. The defense will hopefully come along behind it, but even if it doesn’t he is a special player ready for more.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 9 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436535" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436535" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1343415554.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1343415554.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1343415554-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="9" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Philadelphia 76ers" data-team-id="93" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 9th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">9 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Philadelphia 76ers </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">9</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2F76ers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>Once upon a time, the Philadelphia 76ers were known as the team with <em>the</em> focus on youth, delving into the depths of NBA tanking. The fruit of that tanking forms the core of their current roster, but also the pain of their current struggle. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, drafted in back-to-back years; one has been chosen to build this team around, and the other is almost certainly no longer a part of this team’s future.</p> <p>Even with their success in the win column the past few years, the 76ers have been able to keep a steady stream of young talent coming in. Shake Milton and Tyrese Maxey are both intriguing options in the backcourt, with Maxey potentially a tough two-way point guard who could start this season. Matisse Thybulle is already one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and his offensive game could continue to trend upwards. All three will get some amount of playing time this year.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Paul Reed. Somehow Reed, one of college basketball’s best defensive players and a forward capable of creating his own offense, fell to the 58th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He went to the G League Bubble and was the best player there. On a team packed with frontcourt players he couldn’t carve out very many minutes last season, but with Simmons out of the equation, he should get his chance this season. He could absolutely become the long-term starter next to Joel Embiid, and hopefully, he gets to prove that this season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 8 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436534" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436534" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2337,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345728191.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2337" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345728191.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345728191-768x561.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="8" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Golden State Warriors" data-team-id="41" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 7th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">8 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Golden State Warriors </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">7</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwarriors.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>It’s unclear how the Golden State Warriors expect to do this, but they seem adamant that they can compete for a championship and bringing along three lottery picks at the same time. Their commitment to extending the championship window and building a consistent winner is laudable, but it also seems somewhat like a pipe dream.</p> <p>The question is whether the draft capital used the past two seasons translates into playing time. James Wiseman is a lock to see backup center minutes when he is ready to play. Do Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga get regular-season minutes in the rotation? They haven’t in the preseason, although Moody has shown flashes and been deadly with his outside shot. Does Steve Kerr stick to the veterans, or can he dole out some minutes to keep the rookies coming along?</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Jordan Poole. The one young player who will get all the minutes he can handle is Jordan Poole. After being one of the worst players in the league as a rookie, Poole has developed into a fearless offensive weapon who is hitting shots from anywhere – he’s like having a second, not-quite-as-deadly Stephen Curry on the same roster! Poole is averaging 25 points per game in the preseason while playing just 23.4 minutes per game, hitting 4.7 3-pointers on 43.8 percent shooting. Those are bonkers numbers. There might be no player in the entire year I am as confident in for breaking out as Poole. He looks like the real deal.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 7 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436532" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436532" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345419873.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345419873.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345419873-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="7" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Miami Heat" data-team-id="110" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 6th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">7 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Miami Heat </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">6</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fheat.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Miami Heat are the tale of two rosters. The first tale is of a veteran-laded starting lineup, stocked with older players like Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler and PJ Tucker. The second tale is of the bench, which is mainly stocked with young NBA unknowns who came up from the G League. Are the Heat patient with those players, or will they look to replace them via trade and the buyout market later in the year?</p> <p>Regardless, to start the season these players will get the chance to prove themselves. Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and Omer Yuertseven are not especially young, but they are unproven in the NBA. They will seek to complement the Heat’s last big upside play, the hero of the NBA Bubble, Tyler Herro.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Tyler Herro. He’s the one and only true candidate on this roster, a player still brimming with potential. Can Herro recapture the offensive creation and accuracy he found in the Bubble? If he can, and becomes the player everyone thought he already was, then the Heat are in a much better spot this season and beyond. He will get the chance to do so with an even thinner roster this year.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 6 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436531" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436531" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1123,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1320827164.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1123" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1320827164.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1320827164-768x539.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="6" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Atlanta Hawks" data-team-id="125" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 8th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">6 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Atlanta Hawks </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">8</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fhawks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Atlanta Hawks have more youth options than just about any playoff team, a roster brimming with players at every position. Trae Young is entering just his fourth season, and his offensive co-star John Collins is entering his fifth. Whoever starts at the 3 will be in just their third season.</p> <p>The Hawks have a few veterans sprinkled in, and there will be some amount of push-and-pull when doling out minutes among all of the options. How much of a role does Danilo Gallinari have, and when can Jalen Johnson see the court, is one of them. Does Onyeka Okongwu get back his rotation spot when he returns from injury, or can Gorgui Dieng lock it down? These are relatively minor, however. This is a team that <em>is</em> embracing the youth movement and still winning at a high level.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player</strong>: DeAndre Hunter. The former Virginia Cavaliers wing has battled injuries both seasons of his young career, but when he did play last season he looked like a defensively dominant wing with a burgeoning offensive game as well. If he can have a mostly healthy year, we could see him bring it all together and clearly become a part of the Hawks’ long-term starting lineup. If he doesn’t, either stay healthy or prove himself, Cam Reddish is waiting in the wings, so he will have even more motivation to take that step forward.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436530" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436530" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2231,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1235702061.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2231" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1235702061.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1235702061-768x535.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="5" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Utah Jazz" data-team-id="118" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 5th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">5 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Utah Jazz </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">5</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fjazz.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Utah Jazz have a young star, as Donovan Mitchell is just 25 years old, but there isn’t much to speak of behind him. That is part of why this team could launch itself to the best record in the league last season, as their rotation is a tight group of veterans.</p> <p>It also means there isn’t a lot of upside for internal growth. The team traded for Eric Paschall to compete for backup minutes at the 4 and 5, and he will in part be competing with last year’s first-round pick Udoka Azubuike. Elijah Hughes could earn some minutes off the bench on the wing. Jared Butler was a solid pickup in the second round of July’s draft. None of these players should figure into Utah’s postseason rotation, but they should get some time in the regular season.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Jared Butler. There aren’t a lot of options here, but Jared Butler gets the nod for more than simply the fact he’s the last man standing. Butler was one of the nation’s best players in college basketball last season as part of Baylor’s title-winning team. He can pass, defend, shoot and score – he may have been a late-lottery pick before health concerns dropped Butler into the second round. While it’s a crowded backcourt in Utah, Butler has the talent to make an impact.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436529" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436529" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2244,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345222234.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2244" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345222234.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345222234-768x539.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="4" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Los Angeles Lakers" data-team-id="20" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 3rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">4 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Los Angeles Lakers </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">3</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Flakers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>A few years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers were loaded with young talent. Then they cashed nearly all of it in, trading players like Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball to acquire Anthony Davis. That paid off with a title. Now the Lakers have retooled their entire roster, surrounding LeBron James, Davis and Russell Westbrook with a variety of veteran talent available for a low cost.</p> <p>They do have a few young players in tow, all in the backcourt. The Lakers don’t need to decide whether to give them playing time, because they all likely will need to play as part of a limited roster around the two stars. Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk were brought in as free agents, while Talen Horton-Tucker is the roster’s only “home-grown” player. All should see rotation minutes early on.</p> <p>The Lakers drop a spot in our rankings for three reasons. The first is that Westbrook looks awful to start a season yet again, and his inability to play off-ball and lack of spacing, defenses and selflessness is going to really hurt. The second reason is the loss of Trevor Ariza, who is this roster’s only “big wing” who can fill the Shane Battier / Richard Jefferson role alongside LeBron. Finally, the word we had that Anthony Davis was going to start at center this year has been mostly walked back, which is a major spacing problem. The Suns are really good and they sneak ahead here.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Malik Monk. While Talen Horton-Tucker has plenty of potential, I’ve always been a believer in Malik Monk and he has the profile of a player who could take a step forward playing with point guards like Westbrook and James. Last season he finally put together an efficient season from beyond the arc, hitting 40.1 percent of his 5.0 3-point attempts per game. If he shoots like that he could earn a spot for himself closing games, the fastest way to gain notice playing with LeBron James.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436528" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436528" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1192645861.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1192645861.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1192645861-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="3" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Phoenix Suns" data-team-id="66" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 4th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">3 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Phoenix Suns </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">4</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fsuns.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>In the NBA Bubble, we watched the young Phoenix Suns go 8-0 and nearly crash the playoff party. Then they traded for Chris Paul, signed Jae Crowder and played their way to the league’s second-best record and a place in the NBA Finals.</p> <p>Now those young pieces are coming due for new contracts. Devin Booker is already playing on his, but both Mikal Bridges and DeAndre Ayton are eligible for contract extensions but have not yet received them. Both play crucial starting roles on the team, but both also exist inside the bounds of uncertainty as to what they value is.</p> <p>Cam Johnson is this team’s best player on the bench, and he and Landry Shamet inject both youth and shooting into a bench that otherwise has veterans in Cameron Payne, JaVale McGee and (eventually) Dario Saric. Does last year’s lottery pick Jalen Smith find time in the frontcourt, or is he already relegated to garbage time?</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Cam Johnson. Bridges and Ayton are already close to who they will become as players. Johnson has a lot more to offer, with surprising athleticism and ball-handling abilities hiding in a shooting specialist’s body. If Crowder gets injured or starts to decline then Johnson could be called upon to start in his stead, giving him the perfect chance to make a leap.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436527" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436527" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1320599811.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1320599811.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1320599811-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="2" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Brooklyn Nets" data-team-id="147" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 1st" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">2 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Brooklyn Nets </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">1</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Brooklyn Nets were ranked No. 1 last week, ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks. They fall to No. 2 this week because the situation around Kyrie Irving has only grown worse, not better. Andrew Wiggins, in a similar situation with a local vaccine mandate, chose to get a vaccine to continue earning money and helping his team win. Irving has decided not to, at least to this point, which casts uncertainty on the rest of the season.</p> <p>Are the Brooklyn Nets still title favorites if Irving can only play in road games? Will the Nets let him hang around and play in just half the games? The Nets <em>could</em> win the title without Irving, but the judgment here is that they should no longer be favored to do so. If Irving gets vaccinated or something else about the situation changes, then the Nets likely regain the top spot.</p> <p>In Irving’s absence, the Nets could give run to their rookie point guard Cam Thomas, a microwave scorer who could approximate something similar to Irving. Otherwise, they are in all-out title contention, and developing players will need to happen at practice and with the Long Island Nets.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Nic Claxton. The one player on a rookie contract firmly in the rotation is center Nic Claxton, by far the team’s best defensive big man. At just 22 years old his advanced defensive numbers are exceptional, even more so playing with a defensively challenged team like last year’s Nets. His block rate is elite, and he will earn more and more minutes as the team’s best answer inside.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436526" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436526" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1345046923.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345046923.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1345046923-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="1" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Milwaukee Bucks" data-team-id="89" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 2nd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">1 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Milwaukee Bucks </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">2</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbucks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p>The Milwaukee Bucks are back at the top, the defending champions back and ready to repeat. They retake the top spot from the Nets, a baton that may be passed back-and-forth throughout the season. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday all back and in their primes, the Bucks are assured of being in the title picture for the fourth-straight season.</p> <p>The Bucks have mortgaged draft picks and young players to build their title-winning squad, but they have a few youngsters in tow. Donte DiVincenzo is now extension-eligible entering his fourth season, but he is still recovering from a postseason injury and a new deal is unlikely. He will be a rotation piece once he returns, if not the outright starter at the 2. Jordan Nwora and Georgios Kalaitzakis are recent late-round draft picks who are unlikely to ever see playing time.</p> <p><strong>Breakout Player:</strong> Grayson Allen. The replacement for DiVincenzo to start the season is Grayson Allen, the former Duke star who stopped in Utah and Memphis on his way to Milwaukee. He is likely to start at shooting guard for the Bucks until DiVincenzo is back, and given his shooting accuracy (39.5 percent the last two seasons) and reasonable defensive ability he should at least survive. The possibility is there that he does more than just survive, though, and that he proves himself more worthy of the post than DiVincenzo upon his return.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Predicting the starting lineup for every team in the league" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/30/nba-predicting-every-starting-lineup/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/10/nba-power-rankings-2-jordan-poole/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/30/nba-predicting-every-starting-lineup/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Predicting the starting lineup for every team in the league </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">