Orlando Magic Forward Jonathan Isaac
There are very few players in the NBA that can rival Isaac’s defensive ability, let alone his full potential. Isaac possesses an impressive 7’1” foot wingspan and at 6’11”, there are few forwards that even come close to his reach. To add on, Isaac has the quickness of a guard that makes his build very reminiscent of Kevin Durant. Isaac can successfully guard the 1-4 and if he adds a little more muscle, he could easily match up with a healthy amount of 5s. According to the Basketball Index, Isaac had a 3.22 DPIPM (Defensive Player Impact Plus Minus) which was good for 4th in the NBA prior to his injury this season. Isaac was also tied with Anthony Davis for first in stocks (steals and blocks) per game at 4.0, demonstrating that Isaac is not only an athletic specimen but also a very instinctive defensive player. Assuming Isaac continues to improve with more game experience, it’s scary to think about what his full defensive potential could be. Offensively, Isaac is somewhat unpolished, but there has been continued growth in this aspect of his game. Isaac’s eFG% has continued to improve throughout his short NBA career, and while it is still below average, he has shown enough growth to foster hope for his future. Isaac’s FGAs has also increased, a sign of increased confidence (which is often the first step in building a strong offensive game). Isaac’s playmaking will never really be very notable but as long as he continues to improve as a shooter, that combined with his stellar defense will make him an elite all-around player. There are some concerns concerning his health, having only played 134 out of 229 (58.5%) of possible games thus far, but the bright side is his young age and the fact that none of his injuries have been recurring. Isaac certainly has Defensive Player of the Year upside and should be a constant on All-Defensive teams for years to come, and if the jumper continues to improve, we could easily be looking at a future superstar.
Memphis Grizzlies Power Forward/Center Jaren Jackson Jr.
You can probably count on one finger the amount of players in the NBA with more two way upside than 20 year old Jaren Jackson Jr. who stands at 6’11” with a 7’4” wingspan and is exactly what NBA teams are looking for in a small ball 5. Jackson is already a very impressive shooter with a 2019-20 statline of .468/.397/.741 with 6.3 3s attempted per game. Considering his sizable wingspan, finishing at the rim will become a strength as he continues to develop. This season, one of Jackson’s most impressive offensive games came when he dropped 43 points and 9 3s against the Bucks while largely being guarded by MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, showcasing his immense shooting potential. Jackson’s .564 eFG% was good for 30th amongst qualified players, above superstars like LeBron, Damian Lillard, and Anthony Davis. Jackson’s defensive potential is also limitless considering his ability in both the perimeter and in the paint. He is already an elite rim protector (10th in the NBA with 1.6 blocks/game). Though Jackson does struggle a little bit with contesting without fouling, more game experience will likely decrease his foul trouble. Jackson can also contend with crafty perimeter players because of his tremendous lateral quickness and instincts. There are questions surrounding Jackson’s ability as a rebounder considering he is a 6’11” center averaging a mere 4.7 rebounds/game; however, this can be attributed to the fact that he plays on the perimeter a lot more than other bigs. Though some regard Jackson Jr. as raw talent at the moment, he is still only 20 years old and younger than a large number of 2020 draft prospects despite already being a sophomore in the league, meaning he will inevitably continue to make huge strides in his development as long as he stays healthy. In short, Jackson has tremendous length, is already an elite shooter for a big, is already an elite shot blocker, and can contend on the perimeter. At his best, Jackson could be an efficient 20 point per game scorer while contending for Defensive Player of the Year, which you can really only say about two other players (Giannis and Zion). The sky's the limit for Jaren and I have no doubts that he will be an All-NBA player in the future.
San Antonio Spurs Guard Dejounte Murray
Following a torn right ACL that caused him to miss the entirety of the 2018-19 season, Murray came back stronger than ever in the 19-20 campaign, posting career highs in nearly every statistical category. He took substantial leaps in offensive production, both as a scorer and playmaker, shooting a career high .507 eFG% (averaging 10.7 PPG) and dishing out a career high 4.1 APG. 3 point shooting was one of Murray’s greatest weaknesses coming out of college, and though he is still timid behind the arc, the fact that both his attempts and percentages are increasing is definitely a positive. Also promising is the fact that Murray’s free throw shooting went up nearly 10% this season, showing Murray’s commitment towards becoming a better shooter. With the Spurs likely transitioning into a new era with rumors of LaMarcus Aldrige and DeMar Derozan’s departures, nearly 30 shots per game will be given to players like Murray, giving them opportunities to continue their progression. However, Murray is already excelling on the defensive end, as his excellent length and instincts has helped him rack up steals. Murray was 7th this season in steals per game despite playing only 25 minutes per game, and as his minutes ramp back up, he could easily become the league’s leading pickpocket. Murray is at his best guarding 1s and 2s but at times has acted sort of like a center fielder for the Spurs when they alternate to a zone defense. Dejounte has already received praise for his work ethic from future hall of farmers like Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, so there is no doubt that despite his already strong numbers, he is only going to get better. As the Spurs look to rebuild in the future, they will be looking for a new player to lead their franchise, and Dejounte Murray may be the right pick for this task.
Data courtesy of BBall Index, Basketball Reference, and Crafted NBA