#8 Pascal Siakam
Coming off an incredible season where he won the Most Improved Player award as the second best player on the championship-winning Toronto Raptors, Pascal Siakam will now be the main guy for Toronto's basketball franchise as a consequence of Leonard's departure to the LA Clippers.
If he continues to make strides with his shooting and passing, the Cameroonian forward has a great chance to be an All-Star for many years to come.
#7 Kristaps Porzingis
Despite having missed NBA action since October last year, the Latvian big man is expected to make a full recovery and join reigning Rookie of the Year, Luka Doncic, in what could be a formidable duo for many years to come at the Dallas Mavericks. Porzingis was averaging 23 points, 7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game before he got injured.
Porzingis is an extremely skilled scorer as he has the shooting ability of a guard to go with his dominance in the post.
Also, in defence, he is a fantastic shot-blocker and rebounder. He's only 23 so he has many years to make strides towards being an MVP-caliber player.
#6 Al Horford
Whilst his stats might not be so exciting, Horford is one of the most important players a team can have purely because of his significant all-around contributions and leadership. On defense, there are few who can protect the paint like the Dominican big man.
By being offered a much more lucrative contract by the Celtics' division rivals, Horford is now a part of the Philadelphia 76ers who are tipped as contenders to win the East this upcoming season.