'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Karl-Anthony Towns - Defensive Ability
Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the first overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, Karl-Anthony Towns entered the league as one of the most talented prospects with genuine superstar potential. In his rookie season, Towns averaged 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds, winning the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award.
Towns fits the prototype for the stretch big man. Towns' game style featured a smooth stroke from behind the arc as well as a polished post game, befitting the traditional big man. For the 2020-21 season, Towns averaged 24.8 points and 10.6 rebounds. He also shot 38.7% from beyond the arc for the season.
While Karl-Anthony Towns has shown himself to be a potent offensive threat, the real department which could define Town's potential as a superstar is his defensive ability.
While Towns has the agility to move his feet and lateral quickness to get to the spot, his mentality for defense and his ability to read offensive players is quite lacking. His presence of mind on defense puts a big question mark on how engaged he is.
Towns adding some skill to his defensive repertoire would be beneficial to both the Timberwolves as well as Towns' value in the NBA.
#4 De'Aaron Fox - Three-point Shooting
De'Aaron Fox is the starting point guard for the Sacramento Kings. Currently the face of the franchise, Fox was drafted by the Kings in the 2017 NBA Draft.
After producing an average rookie season, Fox went to work and burst onto the scene in the following years. He averaged 25.2 points and 7.2 assists for the 2020-21 season.
De'Aaron Fox's game features blistering speed and quickness along with the vicious ability to stop and change directions. Fox is currently rated as the fastest player in the league. His speed is only complimented by his ability to spot trailing players on the fastbreak for a quick dime.
However, to truly become unstoppable, the next step for the Kings' guard is to improve upon his three-point shooting. As the league continues on the trend of attempting more shots from downtown, Fox needs to learn how to pull up from distance too.
Fox averaged 32.2% from beyond the arc for the 2020-21 season. With NBA defenses giving him space to shoot the long ball knowing he's more likely to miss, Fox is becoming relatively easier to contain.
De'Aaron Fox becoming a threat from three-point territory adds variety to his game. It also opens up the option to switch to his natural driving game when defenders converge on him early.
#5 Dejounte Murray - Three-point Shooting
Entering his fifth season in the NBA, Dejounte Murray is emerging as the future face of the San Antonio Spurs franchise. Murray averaged 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists for the 2020-21 NBA season.
Murray has shown great talent driving to the basket and finishing through contact against larger defenders. Shooting 45.3% from the field he is also capable of drawing defenses and creating scoring opportunities for teammates.
Murray is also a tough on-ball defender. With his lateral quickness and long wingspan he is able to cover distances and make crucial reads against offensive players to get steals.
Developing as a talented two-way player, if there is any skill that Murray could add to his game, it would be a three-point shot. After shooting 31.7% from downtown last season, Murray adding a shot from deep opens up options for him to attack the rim or distribute as well.
If Murray is going to elevate his game and become a star for the Spurs, adding a three-point shot is key. Potentially becoming the primary focus on offense for the team, we may see a breakout season from Murray.
