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Top 5 under 25: The most valuable youngsters in the NBA

By Morgan Dunn

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 05: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is congratulated by Andrew Wiggins #22 after he made a basket against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on April 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 05: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is congratulated by Andrew Wiggins #22 after he made a basket against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on April 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

4. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

It’s hard to believe that Davis is just 24 years old, as it seems he’s been around too long for that. He’s already one of the Top 10 players in the league. So why does he come in at fourth on this list? Injuries, plain and simple.

Davis played in 75 games last year, but it was the first season in which he cracked the 70-game mark. Four seasons failing to do so has to have some NBA decision-makers a little nervous about his long-term prospects.

When he’s healthy, Davis is a terror on the court. He averaged 28 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 2016-17 while shooting good percentages from the field and line, and he kept his turnovers low relative to his usage. I don’t expect the Davis-Cousins pairing in The Big Easy to go swimmingly this season, but that doesn’t diminish how incredible of a player Davis is.

He could easily be as high as number two on his list, and perhaps even number one, if we knew he’d stay healthy. Without such a crystal ball, though, I’m more comfortable slotting him at four.

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