I felt it was worth taking a look at this particular age group, as some of the premier talents from the 2020 draft recently signed massive rookie extensions, cementing themselves either as the future of the franchises that drafted them, or an admittedly expensive centerpiece for a big-market team to set their sites on. The format of the team is as follows:
All Players must be UNDER 23 years old.
2 full rotations (10 players total) plus 3 reserves (guard, forward, center)
The Roster:
“Starters”
Point Guard: LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets), 21 y.o.
2022-23 Stats: 23.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 8.4apg
The centerpiece of the Hornets’ future (to the tune of $260 million over 5 years), the 6’7” maestro is still just 21, and as the Hornets continue to try to build towards playoff success, locking up their lead guard is a good way to start. Ball provides an extremely well-rounded game, and leadership skills that will only improve. While he’s missed time in his young career both due to upper and lower extremity ailments, he’s the perfect guard for the modern game, and should be a perennial all-NBA type player in the next few seasons.
Shooting Guard: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), 21 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 24.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 4.4apg
Another monster-extension receiver alongside his 2020 draft contemporary Ball, the Wolves’ Edwards has emerged as one of the premier scoring guard threats not only in his age bracket, but in much of the NBA as a whole. Edwards came into the league as a bulldog-type scorer, and since arriving, he’s been as advertised and more, both improving on his shooting and his physique. He’s an incredible vertical threat off the bounce, and takes pride in matching up on defense against premier wing talent on other teams alongside Jaden McDaniels.
Small Forward: Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), 21 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 15.3ppg, 6.6rpg, 4.8apg
The face of what seems to be the post-Kawhi Leonard era in Toronto, Scottie Barnes is developing into one of the better two-way forwards in the league, with his combination of length and athleticism allowing him to defend point guards through centers. It was rumored during the trade deadline that when it came to the Raptors, everyone on the roster was available who wasn’t named Scottie Barnes. Now, whether that turned out to be anything or not is besides the point, but even if that was an exaggeration of a point, it shows the way that the Great White North values the man from Florida.
Power/ “Other” Forward: Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), 21 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 18.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.5apg
Not dissimilar to the Raptors’ Barnes, Franz Wagner brings a multi-faceted offensive game to the ever-improving Orlando Magic. He occasionally acts as a monster-sized lead guard, bringing the ball up the floor and initiating the offense at a legit 6’10”. He’s already a serviceable-at-worst three point shooter with room to improve, and with the way the Magic offense runs, he occasionally finds himself on the receiving end of a kick-out, and definitely possesses the ability to convert said looks.
Center: Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers), 21 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 16.2ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.8apg
Rounding out the top three picks from the 2020 draft, the Cavs’ Mobley is ready to step into his place as one of the premier bigs in a league that’s beginning to fill up with them again. The slender USC product is one of the best shot blockers in the league already (over a block and a half in both of his first two seasons); and his combination of a soft touch around the rim, in the midrange, and his quick-twitch ability to drive around stone footed bigs makes him a nightmare when he steps away from the rim as well.
“Bench”
Point Guard: Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), 20 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 16.6ppg, 7.9rpg, 6.2apg
Alongside the just-too-old for this list Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 20 year old Australian Giddey has impressed mightily so far in his young career. His combination of pace, willingness to do all things on the floor, and seemingly limitless potential makes him a shoe-in for this and probably the next two iterations of this list. His three-point improvement from year one to two should make Thunder fans very exciting, and even though OKC just brought in Kentucky rookie Cason Wallace, the four man guard rotation with him, Giddey, SGA, and Lu Dort should have PLENTY of room for Giddey especially.
Shooting Guard: Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers), 22 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 20.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.5apg
Per Brian Windhorst, Tyrese Maxey is even less available then the previously mentioned Scottie Barnes. The full quote is absolutely worth looking into on your own, but the tldr version is that the Sixers aren’t even interested in the likes of LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo, if Maxey is the ask. Another Kentucky guard similar to the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray, it’s not hard to see the offensively minded Maxey on a similar career trajectory, using all three levels on offense to succeed. His game works near the basket and away from it, not letting his smaller stature deter him from a series of crafty moves under the rim.
Small Forward: Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers), 21 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 16.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.5apg
The Indiana Pacers seem to be committed to Mathurin long-term, and even though he rose quickly right before the 2022 Draft, he’s shown to have been worth the selection at pick #6. Pairing Mathurin with the recently extended Tyrese Haliburton and 2023 draft selection Jarace Walker seems to establish a “medium three”, with the potential for it to become a “big” one. The wing-oriented offense of Mathurin mixed with the playmaking of Haliburton, and the fact that the latters’ playmaking allows for other guys to get involved easily means the Pacers could also maybe (finally) move on from Myles Turner, at least as an offensive centerpiece.
Power/ “Other” Forward: Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), 20 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 20.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 3.7apg
Having to distinguish a lack of a real “power forward” is due to the fact that both players that fit into that slot on the roster play for the same team. While it’s true that Franz Wagner and Banchero (the reigning Rookie of the Year) both call central Florida home and both stand at 6’10”, the similarities more or less end there. Banchero will be a premier talent within the league likely as soon as this season, with his inside-out game being a perfect type for the modern game. His breadth allows him to turn his back to the basket and play more like a traditional four man when he has a smaller player behind him, but his quickness, ball-handling ability, and midrange game lets him play like a three when it’s called for. He’s not yet a great shooter, but if his numbers go above 35%, he could be an easy 25-a-night guy and possible MVP candidate.
Center: Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets), 20 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 14.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 3.9apg
With the advent of Nikola Jokic and the subsequent success of the Denver Nuggets, “Euro” big men that like to play free-throw-line-extended, share the ball, and put up gaudy statlines despite lack of apparent athleticism will never be looked at the same way. While the Houston Rockets still have a bit of an “adult day care” problem, Sengun seems to be one of the steadier presences on the roster. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Kevin Porter Jr. may have been higher draft picks, but Sengun seems to be the fairly “clear” premier talent on the team as a whole. His inside-out game and playmaking is elite already, and his mobility routine is becoming infamous, stretching out like a European soccer player at nearly seven feet tall.
“Reserves”
Guard: Shaedon Sharpe (Portland Trail Blazers), 20 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 9.9ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.2apg
While Sharpe’s stats may not jump off at you immediately, especially on a mediocre-at-best Portland team last year, his last ten games are the easiest samples to look at in terms of like “what this kid is able to do”. As the Blazers came down the stretch, they sat a bunch of guys in a crusade that ended up landing them point guard phenom Scoot Henderson. Sharpe put in almost 24 points a game in that stretch, with a combination of aerial assaults and jump shots from all over the floor. When you watch Shaedon, it’s clear that the game comes very easy to him and with proper professional development, the possibilities are terrifying.
Forward: Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder), 22 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 14.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.3 apg
OKC’s Williams (one of two guys with that first and last name on that roster) was another real contender for Rookie of the Year for most of the season. Between him, the myriad of guards previously mentioned, and center Chet Holmgren ready to make his debut, all of a sudden, the Thunder look like a fearsome bunch to reckon with over the next decade+. Williams’ old school game and sensibilities, mixed with his experience and leadership that he developed at Santa Clara. He’ll beat you in the midrange, from three, and flick in all kinds of unique finishes around the rim. His immense wingspan (7’3” on a 6’6” body” allows him to be a fearsome defender both one on one and in helping/trapping scenarios.
Center: Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), 21 y.o
2022-23 Stats: 9.2ppg, 8.4rpg, 2.3bpg
So, when the Minnesota Timberwolves gave up years and years of their future for what could likely end up being a glorified Rudy Gobert rental, losing a rookie who averaged over two blocks a game during his first campaign was probably not what they expected. Kessler is a fearsome presence at 7’0” and nearly 250 pounds. The Atlanta, GA product and former Auburn Tiger showed flashes of being the defensive stalwart he seems well on his way to becoming while in college, but he’s exceeded all expectations thus far as a pro.
Full Team:
Starters:
G: LaMelo Ball (CHA) - Age: 21
G: Anthony Edwards (MIN) - Age: 21
F: Scottie Barnes (TOR) - Age: 21
F: Franz Wagner (ORL) - Age: 21
C: Evan Mobley (CLE) - Age: 22
Bench:
G: Josh Giddey (OKC) - Age: 20
G: Tyrese Maxey (PHI) - Age: 22
F: Bennedict Mathurin (IND) - Age: 21
F: Paolo Banchero (ORL) - Age: 20
C: Alperen Sengun (HOU) - Age: 20
G: Shaedon Sharpe (POR) - Age: 20
F: Jalen Williams (OKC) - Age: 22
C: Walker Kessler (UTA) - Age: 21
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