D’Angelo Russell – Los Ángeles Lakers
Kobe is no longer with the Lakers and the franchise needs a new player to rise up and become the leader both inside and outside the court. Russell, the second pick overall in the 2015 draft, needs to prove he can be that player.
He needs to prove he can speak louder with his in-game skills that his words before anyone starts treating him as the next team leader. Head coach Luke Walton thinks that Russell can become such a player in the short term even though he didn’t shine so intensely in his first year.
This preseason Russell showed glimpses of what he’s capable of and his potential for the upcoming season. The Lakers point guard averaged 17.8 points per game and a shot 36% from the three-point line, numbers that many in the team are sure he can improve on.
Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
During the second half of last season, the 13th overall pick of the 2015 draft displayed his talents and potential. Now he will have the opportunity to start for the Suns and prove that he is the future of this team; capable of becoming one of its building blocks.
After the All-Star game Booker averaged 19.2 points per game and 4.1 assists per game with an enormous improvements of his all-around skills and game IQ.
Booker has great precision shooting from long range, knows how to attack the rim and is a skilled passer, some of the traits that landed him on the NBA All-Rookie First team.
This season head coach Earl Watson will give his shooting guard a more relevant role and there are huge expectations surrounding him; now it’s up to Booker to prove that he can surpass those expectations and eventually help Phoenix become a Western Conference perennial playoff contender once again.
Zack Levine – Minnesota Timberwolves
Levine, the 13th overall pick of the 2014 draft, amazed everyone at the 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Now is time for him to prove that he can shine as brightly during the regular season.
Last season he already displayed considerable growth as he average 14 points per game, shoot 39% from three-point range and had a 45% field goal percentage, numbers that have many pundits thinking that he is ready to elevate his game and become a franchise player.
Levine, already a player capable of finishing big plays, is expected to be vital in the schemes of head coach Tom Thibodeau. The Timberwolves’ point guard has worked intensely during the offseason to improve his conditioning and skills in order to materialize those expectations.