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The NBA power forward position is changing, as having a three-point shot becomes more and more crucial to the NBA game. The days of power forwards posting up with their backs to the basket are slowly coming to an end, and they look to spread the floor.
The younger power forwards that are getting drafted are adopting into this new basketball brand, and many have had success. Here are five power forwards who will use this 2021-22 season to come closer to their full potential.
#5 Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks, Power Forward
Bobby Portis has had an up-and-down career after being selected 22nd overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2015 draft. In his six NBA seasons, the power forward has played for four different teams. However, it seems he may have found a home with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Even though Portis averaged the lowest minutes since his sophomore season, Portis made an impact on an NBA Championship team. He averaged 11.4 points with 7.1 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game. His three-point shot took a giant leap forward as he shot 47% from three on 2.1 attempts.
With P.J. Tucker leaving the Bucks to join the Miami Heat, Portis could slip right into a role that will be left behind. Portis played a significant role for the Bucks in the playoffs, which could continue into the regular season.
#4 Lauri Markkanen, Cleveland Cavilers, Power Forward
Lauri Markkanen is another power forward selected in the first round by the Chicago Bulls who have since left the team. Markkanen was drafted seventh overall in the 2017 NBA Draft and has struggled to live up to that selection in recent years.
A lot of Markkanen's issues were caused by him just not staying healthy. It seems like almost every season, Markkanen has missed a big chunk of time due to an injury. That also goes along with his drop in production.
In his sophomore season in the 2018-19 season, Markkanen was excellent, averaging 18.7 points and nine rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game. The two seasons since then have been underwhelming in comparison. Markkanen has only averaged 14.2 points, 5.8 rebounds in 27.8 rebounds.
Markkanen joined the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason, and maybe a new situation will be good for him. He will be joining a crowded frontcourt with Kevin Love, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, so his minutes might not change that much. However, Markkanen’s career 36% on 6.6 attempts from three is something the other two bigs can’t offer.
#3 Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Power Forward
Even though Kyle Kuzma is an NBA champion, it still seems like Kuzma has so much potential yet to be unlocked. Kuzma’s time is a tale of two different players. In his first two seasons, Kuzma averaged 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds, shooting 45% from the field in 32.1 minutes per game. Kuzma averaged 12.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in the second two seasons, shooting 44% from the field in 27 minutes per game.
The drop-off could have coincided with Kuzma moving into a bench role. In the first two seasons, he started 105 games, but he only started 41 games in the last two seasons. The Lakers went into a win-now window after signing LeBron James and trading for Anthony Davis, which meant playing more veteran players. Kuzma’s role just gradually shrunk after that.
Now that he has been traded to the Washington Wizards, Kuzma might have a chance to go back to playing a more prominent role on the offense. Bradley Beal is the number one option on the Wizards, but the second option is up for grabs. Kuzma could use this season to get back on track to be the future star many people expected him to turn into early in his career.
Also Read: Who is Kyle Kuzma’s girlfriend, Winnie Harlow?
#2 Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Power Forward
Jonathan Isaac missed last season after tearing his ACL in the 2019-20 season. Isaac still might not be healthy enough to be the starting power forward on opening day for the Orlando Magic. On top of that, he is one of the few players in the NBA that are being outspoken against the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, if Isaac does find his way back on the court, once he gets back into the groove of things, he will hopefully pick up where he left off. Before he suffered his injury, he averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, with 2.3 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game. On both ends of the court, Isaac shows the possibility of being a dominant player.
Isaac also expanded his range as a shooter before getting hurt, shooting 34% on 2.8 attempts per game. With Aaron Gordon now playing for the Denver Nuggets, there will be a lot more minutes available for Isaac when he comes, and as he gets more used to NBA play, he could succeed in his extra minutes.
#1 Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies, Power Forward
After being drafted fourth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s career has been littered with injuries. In three seasons, he has only played in 126 games. Last season he was only available for the last 11 games and wasn’t up to NBA speed yet.
In his sophomore season, he averaged 17.4 points with 4.6 rebounds in 28.5 minutes. Last season, in just those 11 games, he averaged 14.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 23.5 minutes. On a positive note, despite playing fewer minutes, Jackson still averaged the same average of blocks, 1.6, but also increased his rebounding numbers. Rebounding was his main weakness, averaging less than five blocks in his first two seasons. Jackson was also shooting 39% from three on 6.5 attempts before getting hurt. That would be a massive plus for the Grizzlies if he can get back to that this season.
Jackson has the potential to be a 20-point 10-rebound player, and this season could be the season he takes that jump. With the Memphis Grizzlies trading away starting center Jonas Valanciunas, Jackson could step into that role and become the second option in the offense.
This will secure Jackson’s case for possibly winning comeback player of the year while also possibly winning most improved.
