NBA: Ranking the 10 best players under the age of 23 heading into 2018-19

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks moves against Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 92-87. 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 Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks moves against Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 92-87. 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 Daniel/Getty Images)
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With the 2018-19 NBA season on the horizon, we explore the 10 best players, accounting for production and potential, under the age of 23

The NBA is transitioning to a young man’s sport, I don’t think there’s much doubt about it. Just look at what the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers did last season as two of the NBA’s youngest rosters.

And adding to an already deep, young talent pool is this year’s NBA Draft class which was touted as one of the best in recent memory. Heck, Michael Porter Jr. went No. 14 to the Denver Nuggets. Even though it was because there is a real risk with his injury concerns, his ceiling, as the 14th player taken in the draft, could be as high as this year’s top pick.

With the new season approaching and plenty of young players primed for big seasons, we decided that it would be the perfect time to rank the young crop already in the NBA – under the age of 23.

Excluding this year’s NBA Draft class, for obvious reasons – mostly because we don’t really know who is good and isn’t at this point, and it would be unfair to make such proclamations without giving them at least some playing time during their rookie seasons – here are the top 10 players in the NBA under the age of 23.