#70 Jaren Jackson Jr. – PF/C – Memphis Grizzlies
2020-21 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 5.6 REB, 1.1 STL, 1.6 BLK, 42.4 FG%, 28.3 3P%, 83.3 FT%
Jaren Jackson Jr. only played in 11 regular-season games last season due to him working his way back to full strength after a knee injury suffered in the 2020 NBA Bubble. His stats are not too impressive from last year, but through the early portion of his career, Jackson Jr. has shown flashes of his All-Star potential.
The lengthy big man can absolutely help Ja Morant in elevating the Memphis Grizzlies to being a big threat in the Western Conference, but durability and injuries are definitely a concern for him heading into the final year of his rookie contract.
#69 Caris LeVert – SG/SF – Indiana Pacers
2020-21 Stats: 20.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.4 STL, 0.6 BLK, 44.1 FG%, 32.6 3P%
At full strength, the Indiana Pacers have a really solid group of guys, but they just have not been able to stay healthy. Caris LeVert is set to begin his first full season with the Pacers, but he may be sidelined on Opening Night as he is currently dealing with a small fracture in his back.
Last season with the Pacers, LeVert showcased his scoring abilities and proved that he can hold his own against the best of the best in this league, so it will be very interesting to see what he can do next to the likes of Brogdon, Sabonis, Turner, and Warren in Indiana when this team is at full-strength.
#68 Andrew Wiggins – SG/SF – Golden State Warriors
2020-21 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 STL, 1.0 BLK, 47.7 FG%, 38.0 3P%
There was some concern heading into training camp about Andrew Wiggins’ availability for the Warriors this season due to him being unvaccinated at the time, but he has since received the COVID-19 vaccine and is eligible to play in all home games for Golden State this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: 3 All-Star Caliber Players Could Be Traded During 2021-22 NBA Season
The Warriors are going to need Wiggins to continue being the two-way wing he has been since joining the Warriors during the 2019-20 season and if he can continue to play at a high level, this team will once again be a championship contender in the Western Conference, especially when Klay Thompson returns. Andrew Wiggins can defend at a high level and has improved as a perimeter threat, so this could absolutely be a big year for him on the wing.
#67 OG Anunoby – SF/PF – Toronto Raptors
2020-21 Stats: 15.9 PPG, 5.5 REB, 2.2 APG, 1.5 STL, 0.7 BLK, 48.0 FG%, 39.8 3P%
One of the early favorites for Most Improved Player this season is OG Anunoby in Toronto. The Raptors lost Kyle Lowry this offseason to the Heat and Pascal Siakam is out to begin the year due to a shoulder injury, which opens up a clear path to becoming one of this year’s breakout stars for Anunoby.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: 3 All-Star Caliber Players Could Be Traded During 2021-22 NBA Season
Being a great two-way threat that can play multiple positions, we should expect to see OG Anunoby take on multiple hats for Nick Nurse and the Raptors on both ends of the floor this season. If Toronto is to make it back to the playoffs, Anunoby is going to have to step up for them in a big way since Siakam and VanVleet cannot carry this team on their own.
#66 Lonzo Ball – PG – Chicago Bulls
2020-21 Stats: 14.6 PPG, 4.8 REB, 5.7 APG, 1.5 STL, 41.4 FG%, 37.8 3P%, 78.1 FT%
Lonzo Ball moved from New Orleans to Chicago this offseason and is now the point guard on a team that consists of three All-Stars in Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: 3 All-Star Caliber Players Could Be Traded During 2021-22 NBA Season
Given the improvements he made as a shooter and scorer last season, we should expect to see Ball’s growth as a facilitator, but more importantly, as a three-point shooting threat next to LaVine. Between his passing abilities and ability to defend at a high level, this is a big year for Lonzo Ball to really show his full potential in this league.
