Promising lads for the 2015-16 NBA season

© USA Today Sports Derrick Favors By Sam Dusenbury

With the foliage turning to the most burnt of orange, the calendar turns to October and that means the game that features a rustic orange sphere called basketball is upon us. As the season begins in the fall and goes through to when the championship is decided in the beginning of summer there are plenty of chances for unknown players to bloom.
Every year, someone comes out of nowhere and surprises the masses. The Draymond Greens and Tristan Thompsons of the world weren’t on the radar of most pundits going into the beginning of last season, and we all saw the impact those two had on teams making a run toward a title.
Who will unexpectedly fill up the box score this year?
Here are seven that I think can make the jump this season:
DERRICK FAVORS (Utah Jazz, PF)
The man-child that the Nets gave up on has flourished under the radar in Salt Lake City. When one plays in a conference with Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kia-Jumper Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki and Anthony Davis, it’s hard to make an impact on a big stage at the power forward position, but low-key Favors has established himself. His numbers have increased every year he’s been in the association capping out at 18 ppg and 8 rpg last year.
Favors can still run the floor and finish above the rim but he’s added a slick low post game—boasting a field goal percentage easily over 50%. He’s a terror on the glass and has a baseline jumper that is improving. His average of almost two blocks a game is a huge bonus in a league devoid of shot blockers. Put all of that together, and this is the year that Favors shows why he’s one of the best young power forwards you may have never heard of or forgotten about in the entire league.

© Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images Shabazz Muhammad of Minnesota Timberwolves goes up for the dunk during the Rising Stars Challenge Feb. 13 in Brooklyn, NY. SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD (Minnesota Timberwolves, SG/SF)
The big-scoring guard who starred out in Westwood at UCLA is still shaking off memories of a forgettable rookie season two years ago and being one of the T’wolves most efficient scorers and competing on a nightly basis with Zach LaVine for dunk of the night honors last season helped in that regard.
Muhammad possesses the ability to be a great rebounder for a player his size. He’s effective in the post especially on the left block, showcasing a better-than-average three-point shot (39 percent last year) while still retaining his above the rim skills. The T’wolves have a slew of wings in LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Kevin Martin so big minutes will be hard to come by early on, but his role could expand to sixth man or even to a starting spot by the trade deadline.

© FanDuel Insider Detroit Pistons' Stanley Johnson poses for a photo during NBA basketball media day in Auburn Hills, Mich., Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) STANLEY JOHNSON (Detroit Pistons, SG/SF)
The rookie out of Arizona makes this list because he was the most NBA-ready wing player in the draft. Early on in the preseason, he’s looked impressive dropping 19 points per game and five rebounds per game. Clearly, Johnson’s been able to put the rock on the floor and get to the cup with relative ease. Ideally, a full season of him running the floor with Brandon Jennings and Reggie Jackson should lead to plenty of fast-break opportunities.
Johnson is more of a slasher at this point offensively (as his jumper needs some work), but with the Pistons sporting a roster of aging, veteran small forwards in Danny Granger and Anthony Tolliver, he should be able to carve out a niche of 20 minutes a game early on in the season.

© USA Today Sports Derrick Favors By Sam Dusenbury

With the foliage turning to the most burnt of orange, the calendar turns to October and that means the game that features a rustic orange sphere called basketball is upon us. As the season begins in the fall and goes through to when the championship is decided in the beginning of summer there are plenty of chances for unknown players to bloom.
Every year, someone comes out of nowhere and surprises the masses. The Draymond Greens and Tristan Thompsons of the world weren’t on the radar of most pundits going into the beginning of last season, and we all saw the impact those two had on teams making a run toward a title.
Who will unexpectedly fill up the box score this year?
Here are seven that I think can make the jump this season:
DERRICK FAVORS (Utah Jazz, PF)
The man-child that the Nets gave up on has flourished under the radar in Salt Lake City. When one plays in a conference with Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kia-Jumper Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki and Anthony Davis, it’s hard to make an impact on a big stage at the power forward position, but low-key Favors has established himself. His numbers have increased every year he’s been in the association capping out at 18 ppg and 8 rpg last year.
Favors can still run the floor and finish above the rim but he’s added a slick low post game—boasting a field goal percentage easily over 50%. He’s a terror on the glass and has a baseline jumper that is improving. His average of almost two blocks a game is a huge bonus in a league devoid of shot blockers. Put all of that together, and this is the year that Favors shows why he’s one of the best young power forwards you may have never heard of or forgotten about in the entire league.

© Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images Shabazz Muhammad of Minnesota Timberwolves goes up for the dunk during the Rising Stars Challenge Feb. 13 in Brooklyn, NY. SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD (Minnesota Timberwolves, SG/SF)
The big-scoring guard who starred out in Westwood at UCLA is still shaking off memories of a forgettable rookie season two years ago and being one of the T’wolves most efficient scorers and competing on a nightly basis with Zach LaVine for dunk of the night honors last season helped in that regard.
Muhammad possesses the ability to be a great rebounder for a player his size. He’s effective in the post especially on the left block, showcasing a better-than-average three-point shot (39 percent last year) while still retaining his above the rim skills. The T’wolves have a slew of wings in LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Kevin Martin so big minutes will be hard to come by early on, but his role could expand to sixth man or even to a starting spot by the trade deadline.

© FanDuel Insider Detroit Pistons' Stanley Johnson poses for a photo during NBA basketball media day in Auburn Hills, Mich., Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) STANLEY JOHNSON (Detroit Pistons, SG/SF)
The rookie out of Arizona makes this list because he was the most NBA-ready wing player in the draft. Early on in the preseason, he’s looked impressive dropping 19 points per game and five rebounds per game. Clearly, Johnson’s been able to put the rock on the floor and get to the cup with relative ease. Ideally, a full season of him running the floor with Brandon Jennings and Reggie Jackson should lead to plenty of fast-break opportunities.
Johnson is more of a slasher at this point offensively (as his jumper needs some work), but with the Pistons sporting a roster of aging, veteran small forwards in Danny Granger and Anthony Tolliver, he should be able to carve out a niche of 20 minutes a game early on in the season.

© NBAE/Getty Images SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Doug McDermott #3 of the Chicago Bulls stands on the court during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 20, 2014 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) DOUG MCDERMOTT (Chicago Bulls, SF)
The Bulls gave up two first-round picks to get McDermott two years ago, so a lot was expected of “Dougie McBuckets,” but knee surgery and defensive lapses had him making love to the Bulls bench thanks to the now-departed Tom Thibodeau. New coach Fred Hoiberg has a system in place where McDermott can chuck it up similar to his Creighton days.
The new offense is predicated on creating open spaces on the court, and McDermott is off to a quick start shooting 50% from three-point land this preseason. He’s been more in the mix running the floor and hitting the glass. McDermott is easily the biggest benefactor of the up-tempo offense where, hopefully, he can show the worthiness of what the Bulls gave up for him.

© Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Khris Middleton (left) of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot against Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls during their NBA Playoffs matchup on April 20, 2015, in Chicago. KHRIS MIDDLETON (Milwaukee Bucks, SG/SF)
Middleton became Milwaukee’s No. 1 option when the club was comfortable dealing away Brandon Knight, because Middleton (the only second-round pick on this list) was averaging over 16 ppg in March and 17 ppg in April. Middleton has good range from distance putting it up at a 40% clip from the field in each of his first two seasons.
Last postseason, Middleton was a thorn in the Bulls side in the first round. He gave the league a glimpse of his all-around game and defended Jimmy Butler with extreme toughness over six games. Middleton can be one of the better all-around players in the league, and with the free agent addition of Greg Monroe in the paint, the floor should open up even more for him.

© Sue Ogrocki/AP Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter blocks a shot by Houston Rockets guard James Harden, center, in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2015, in Oklahoma City. Harden scored 41 points in Houston's 115-112 victory. ENES KANTER (Oklahoma City Thunder, C)
The one thing OKC has always needed was a big (a true big) because Serge Ibaka is not a true center.
Enter Kanter—a legit big in a league full of stretch power forwards playing center. The former third-overall pick of the Jazz averaged 19 points and 11 boards (including 5 offensive) in 26 games with the Thunder after being traded in the three-team deal that sent Reggie Jackson to Detroit.
Kanter can bang on the block and should get numerous easy touches in the paint waiting on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to create. He has an old-school low-post game, as almost 60% of his 2 pointers are within three feet of the hoop. Having a fresh Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka makes the Thunder title contenders already, but the addition of Kanter will be huge for OKC going up against the Western Conference’s elite.

© Ann Heisenfelt/AP Photo Kings forward Derrick Williams reacts after dunking against the Timberwolves in Minneapolis Jan. 1. The Kings won 110-107. DERRICK WILLIAMS (New York Knicks, SF/PF)
It’s now or never for Williams.
The former second-overall pick in 2011 is now on his third team and hasn’t gotten a chance to show the kind of game that got him selected so highly. Williams hasn’t put forth anything resembling the dude who was 20 and 8 in his last year at Arizona—a year that earned him AP All-American honors. In his brief NBA career, he’s been saddled with bad teams, inconsistent minutes and undefined roles.
He can play both forward positions, so expect a good amount of boards and assists to go with getting buckets in transition. In Knicks land, he will be the lead dog off the bench for a Knicks team that is looking to push the pace this season.

© Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images Shabazz Muhammad of Minnesota Timberwolves goes up for the dunk during the Rising Stars Challenge Feb. 13 in Brooklyn, NY. SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD (Minnesota Timberwolves, SG/SF)
The big-scoring guard who starred out in Westwood at UCLA is still shaking off memories of a forgettable rookie season two years ago and being one of the T’wolves most efficient scorers and competing on a nightly basis with Zach LaVine for dunk of the night honors last season helped in that regard.
Muhammad possesses the ability to be a great rebounder for a player his size. He’s effective in the post especially on the left block, showcasing a better-than-average three-point shot (39 percent last year) while still retaining his above the rim skills. The T’wolves have a slew of wings in LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Kevin Martin so big minutes will be hard to come by early on, but his role could expand to sixth man or even to a starting spot by the trade deadline.

© FanDuel Insider Detroit Pistons' Stanley Johnson poses for a photo during NBA basketball media day in Auburn Hills, Mich., Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) STANLEY JOHNSON (Detroit Pistons, SG/SF)
The rookie out of Arizona makes this list because he was the most NBA-ready wing player in the draft. Early on in the preseason, he’s looked impressive dropping 19 points per game and five rebounds per game. Clearly, Johnson’s been able to put the rock on the floor and get to the cup with relative ease. Ideally, a full season of him running the floor with Brandon Jennings and Reggie Jackson should lead to plenty of fast-break opportunities.
Johnson is more of a slasher at this point offensively (as his jumper needs some work), but with the Pistons sporting a roster of aging, veteran small forwards in Danny Granger and Anthony Tolliver, he should be able to carve out a niche of 20 minutes a game early on in the season.

© NBAE/Getty Images SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Doug McDermott #3 of the Chicago Bulls stands on the court during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 20, 2014 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) DOUG MCDERMOTT (Chicago Bulls, SF)
The Bulls gave up two first-round picks to get McDermott two years ago, so a lot was expected of “Dougie McBuckets,” but knee surgery and defensive lapses had him making love to the Bulls bench thanks to the now-departed Tom Thibodeau. New coach Fred Hoiberg has a system in place where McDermott can chuck it up similar to his Creighton days.
The new offense is predicated on creating open spaces on the court, and McDermott is off to a quick start shooting 50% from three-point land this preseason. He’s been more in the mix running the floor and hitting the glass. McDermott is easily the biggest benefactor of the up-tempo offense where, hopefully, he can show the worthiness of what the Bulls gave up for him.

© Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Khris Middleton (left) of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot against Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls during their NBA Playoffs matchup on April 20, 2015, in Chicago. KHRIS MIDDLETON (Milwaukee Bucks, SG/SF)
Middleton became Milwaukee’s No. 1 option when the club was comfortable dealing away Brandon Knight, because Middleton (the only second-round pick on this list) was averaging over 16 ppg in March and 17 ppg in April. Middleton has good range from distance putting it up at a 40% clip from the field in each of his first two seasons.
Last postseason, Middleton was a thorn in the Bulls side in the first round. He gave the league a glimpse of his all-around game and defended Jimmy Butler with extreme toughness over six games. Middleton can be one of the better all-around players in the league, and with the free agent addition of Greg Monroe in the paint, the floor should open up even more for him.

© Sue Ogrocki/AP Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter blocks a shot by Houston Rockets guard James Harden, center, in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2015, in Oklahoma City. Harden scored 41 points in Houston's 115-112 victory. ENES KANTER (Oklahoma City Thunder, C)
The one thing OKC has always needed was a big (a true big) because Serge Ibaka is not a true center.
Enter Kanter—a legit big in a league full of stretch power forwards playing center. The former third-overall pick of the Jazz averaged 19 points and 11 boards (including 5 offensive) in 26 games with the Thunder after being traded in the three-team deal that sent Reggie Jackson to Detroit.
Kanter can bang on the block and should get numerous easy touches in the paint waiting on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to create. He has an old-school low-post game, as almost 60% of his 2 pointers are within three feet of the hoop. Having a fresh Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka makes the Thunder title contenders already, but the addition of Kanter will be huge for OKC going up against the Western Conference’s elite.

© Ann Heisenfelt/AP Photo Kings forward Derrick Williams reacts after dunking against the Timberwolves in Minneapolis Jan. 1. The Kings won 110-107. DERRICK WILLIAMS (New York Knicks, SF/PF)
It’s now or never for Williams.
The former second-overall pick in 2011 is now on his third team and hasn’t gotten a chance to show the kind of game that got him selected so highly. Williams hasn’t put forth anything resembling the dude who was 20 and 8 in his last year at Arizona—a year that earned him AP All-American honors. In his brief NBA career, he’s been saddled with bad teams, inconsistent minutes and undefined roles.
He can play both forward positions, so expect a good amount of boards and assists to go with getting buckets in transition. In Knicks land, he will be the lead dog off the bench for a Knicks team that is looking to push the pace this season.
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