17. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
As one of Jalen Green’s biggest fans coming out of college during the 2021 NBA Draft, it’s pretty clear how important the 2023-24 NBA season will be for him. When it comes to production, Green has been fine through his two seasons in the league. He averaged 22 points and four assists on 34 percent shooting from 3-point range this past season. However, if the Houston Rockets are going to make the jump in the Western Conference standings that some believe they can, Green is going to have to be much more efficient and selective on the offensive end of the floor.
But there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to do that. There’s a difference or change that happens when young players become stars. They’re not just productive, but they’re efficiently productive. You can’t say that about Green just yet. That’s the one thing that I’m personally looking for most this season.
Don’t get this twisted; Green is not terribly inefficient. But there are places in his offensive game that needs to work on. And the hope is that he’ll be the best version of himself heading into the start of the season. If he can be, there’s no question that it’s only a matter of time before he shoots up this list. Green is one of the most talented offensive young players in the NBA. It’s time for him to start putting it all together.