Ranking the top 5 young cores in the NBA after the Draft
Detroit Pistons: Ranking the top 5 young cores in the NBA after the Draft
#2 Houston Rockets
- Jalen Green
- Jabari Smith Jr.
- Amen Thompson
- Cam Whitmore
- Alperen Sengun
- Tari Eason
- Usman Garuba
- Josh Christopher
- TyTy Washington
When our beloved Detroit Pistons finally do reach the NBA Finals again (note I say *when* and not *if*), I suspect that the Houston Rockets will be waiting for them. They appear to be on a similar trajectory, and after the recent draft their roster is loaded. Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore are, arguably, both top five talents among this crop of rookies. Thompson has the potential to be a transcendent talent that puts the franchise on his shoulders. His skillset somewhat overlaps with that of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter’s, but as a trio they comprise an insanely athletic back court.
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Houston’s front court is in good shape, too. Jabari Smith is a very solid player, even if he doesn’t live up to the billing of a #1 overall pick – which he wasn’t, but he was under consideration for it. Center Alperen Sengun is rapidly becoming one of the most versatile bigs in the league considering his 6-foot-9 stature and penchant for knocking down threes. Whitmore should get some run as the small forward, and his athleticism is on par with his spectacular teammates.
Thompson is the perfect lynchpin for this group, and the Rockets are about to start running the opps out of the gym.