10. Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
2018-19 stats: 16.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.5 blocks, 64.8 shooting percentage
Clint Capela does everything for the Houston Rockets that they need from him. His athleticism and great hands make him an excellent pick-and-roll partner with James Harden, catching lobs and dump-offs. He has been able to improve his game year after year, increasing his scoring and rebounding averages since entering the league in 2014.
Most importantly his free throw percentage, which was under 20 percent his rookie year and is now up to 63 percent. Capela also offers rim protection with his length and size down low.
In what will be his sixth season in the league, at just 25 years of age, Capela will look to make another jump.
9. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
2018-19 stats: 17.3 points, 15.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.7 blocks, 53.3 shooting percentage
Crazy to think that this will Andre Drummond’s eighth year in the NBA, but the Detroit Pistons big man will only be 26 years old and is heading into his prime. Drummond has not developed his offensive game the way you would like a potential franchise center to, but nonetheless, he is coming off a career year in terms of points-per-game and remains one of the best rebounders of this generation.
Keeping Drummond off the glass is no easy feat, he is the active leader in rebounds-per-game and easily the best offensive rebounder in the Association as he has led the league in that category for the past six years.
The two-time all-star finished third in defensive rating this past season after back-to-back years of being No.1. Improvement on the offensive end will be imperative if the Pistons hope to get back to the postseason and make any noise in the Eastern Conference.