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Three NBA teams with the brightest futures
A few years ago, after the 2020 Disney World bubble, somebody might have said that the Denver Nuggets had the brightest future in the NBA. Today, what team in the NBA team has the brightest future?
Orlando Magic
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley looks to be doing a great job building out a winning and trusting culture in Orlando.
Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero – who averaged 20 points, 6.9 boards and 3.7 assists per game – and 21-year-old Franz Wagner – 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists – look like future stars.
Former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz has completely revitalized his career and he, too, looks like a stud. During the 2022-23 NBA season, he averaged 14 points, 5.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds. Fultz is a jump shot away from taking that next step.
Other talented, developing players on this roster include Wendell Carter Jr. (24 years old), Jalen Suggs (22 years old) and Cole Anthony (23 years old).
The cherry on top: Orlando has the sixth and 11th overall picks in Thursday's NBA Draft.
Here is former NBA player JJ Redick's take on the Orlando Magic's prospects for next season:
.@jj_redick can see the Orlando Magic making a jump next season pic.twitter.com/DwE1lLIjyM
— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) June 19, 2023
Certainly, the Magic have an argument for the best future among all NBA teams.
San Antonio Spurs
Thursday night at approximately 8:05 EST, San Antonio will become home to the 7-foot-5 French phenom Victor Wembanyama. The 19-year-old can move like Kevin Durant – only he stands half-a-foot taller – and has the potential to put the Spurs on top of the NBA world.
If you’re bored, here’s 2 minutes of Victor Wembanyama’s best plays from this season.
— Ryan Hammer (@ryanhammer09) June 16, 2023
Very enjoyable watchpic.twitter.com/oc2FsSetOq
In 33 games with the Metropolitans 92, a French club, during the 2022-23 season, Wembanyama averaged 21.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. His future is as bright as any player in basketball.
The Spurs roster is replete with other young and talented players developing under head coach Gregg Popovich, one of the greatest coaches of all time. A few names of note include Jeremy Sochan (20 years old), Keldon Johnson (23 years old) and Devin Vassell (22 years old).
During his rookie season, Sochan surprised many people by showcasing an all-around game. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 11 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.3 percent from the field.
Johnson really started to figure it out in his fourth season, averaging over 20 points (22) for the first time in his career on a true shooting percentage of 55.1. Vassell also continues improving year-over-year, posting the best season of his young NBA career in 2022-23.
Oklahoma City Thunder
As successful as the 2022-23 campaign was for the Thunder, its future looks even brighter. Oklahoma City won 40 games and made in the play-in tournament during the just-completed season, all without the 2022 second overall pick Chet Holmgren.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as a superstar, averaging 31.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 2022-23 and being named first-team All-NBA. He is only 24 years old and still has even more room for development. If SGA can find a consistent jump shot from beyond the arc, he could be one of the best players in the NBA.
This roster has numerous young and developing complementary pieces to go alongside their franchise player in Josh Giddy (20 years old), Jalen Williams (22 years old) and Lugentz Dort (24 years old). Williams looked great during his rookie season while Giddy and Dort continue to improve.
Additionally, while Oklahoma City has only one first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft ( No. 12), the Thunder have 33 total picks over the next eight drafts.
The only question Oklahoma City may have to ask down the road is whether or not Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddy fit together in a backcourt.
Overall, Oklahoma City is a franchise loaded with assets and one that seems destined for future success.
More must-reads:
- Generational NBA prospect claims to be 'immune' from draft hype
- Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller see huge shift in their NBA Draft odds
- The 'Leading scorers from the 1991-92 NBA season' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Kings Predicted to Send Malik Monk to Lakers for $66 Million Duo in Offseason Trade
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Dolly Parton gives advice to Kelly Clarkson after Brandon Blackstock death
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