Goat Talk’s NBA Top 25 Under 25 Remix

 The NBA’s Top 25 Under 25 Remix

Yes we all heard or saw the article published by ESPN “NBA's best 25 under 25: Ranking young stars by future potential” if you didn’t good for you. The article is put together but multiple NBA insiders opinions on the future NBA talent at ESPN. Let’s just say most people didn’t agree with the insiders. Many didn’t agree in my opinion because they didn’t understand the purpose of the article. The purpose wasn’t to show who’s the best right now under 25 years of age. The point of the article was who has the most potential. Many were losing their minds over LaMelo Ball being over many highly talented players such as Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell. Me being one of those people at first. Then the discovery of the article came to me. Still disagree with Tatum but the LaMelo Ball ranking third in the ESPN article made more sense. Nonetheless we have decided to make our list of the top 25 players in the NBA under 25. In what we call The Top 25 Under 25 Remix. 

25 C Jarrett Allen- Cleveland Cavs 

Jarrett Allen is one of the best pickups by the Cavs in their franchise in reality. Let’s just say the Cavs don’t have a rich history in getting players through trade. Taking on Allen was genius. He’s been the perfect pick and roll center for young guards Colin Sexton and Darius Garland. He can pass for a big man and is a board getting machine. He’s a great rim protector. For most he’d be higher but he is a big man and yes he does have potential the league isn’t great to his style of play. Don’t really know how he’ll hold up long term. Don’t think he’ll be an MVP one day at center. However Allen is a great center for the Cavs in the future. 

24 G Colin Sexton- Cleveland Cavs 

Yes, look at that the Cavs have two players in their starting lineup under 25, and they're among the best. The Cavs have done well with the Sexton pick up in the 2018 draft 8th overall. Sexton has not been the perfect prospect but he’s been a damn good one. He has so much heart his whole career. Sexton has been one of my favorite players to watch since he was in high school and at Alabama. Sexton is having a very good year. He’s showing his ability to control the floor as he gets older and his ability to score is only getting better. Sexton is shooting above 50% from inside the arc and 35% behind the arc. That’s better than the league average while he averages 24 PPG and 4 AST. He gets better every year. He could be higher next time around but for now Sexton rests at 24. 

23 G Lonzo Ball- New Orleans Pelicans

Many would say the second overall pick in the 2018 draft hasn’t lived up the expectations. They would be right but since being traded away from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis deal Ball has looked better year by year. Ball we already knew could be a true point guard. He can run the floor and distribute the ball very well. Ball’s three point shot has improved over time. Last year shooting 37.5% from behind the arc in 2020 to 39% in 2021. Ball is a very good defender and can match up on any guard in the league. He’ll never be that traditional 50 point pick and roll guard but Ball will and can definitely run really any offense. If he can continue to improve his shot with his passing, Ball can be very desirable to many top contenders. 

22 G Tyrese Halliburton- Sacramento Kings

The Kings have not been very good at drafting.  That’s why it has been terrible since Jason” White Chocolate” Williams left. They took Marvin Bagley III and were double down that Doncic wasn’t worth the second overall pick. Holy snap were they wrong. It’s those kinds of moves that make you bad. However they are usually the guys that miss. Except with the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft with Tyrese Halliburton. He’s been great for the Kings. He’s probably runner up to Anthony Edwards in rookie of the year due to LaMelo Ball’s injury. He’s great on the pick and roll who will work great with DeAaron Fox for future years. He will need to work on defense but only being 22 is why gets him the 22nd spot. Tyrese Halliburton will get better at defense and he is a top guard in the league. 

21 C DeAndre Ayton- Phoenix Suns 

DeAndre Ayton will be the first of three here on this list for the Suns. Ayton is not having a good year at all. Actually career lows in points, assists, and rebounds. Then how does he rank higher than guys who have improved? It’s about potential and Ayton’s ceiling is still very high. Remember Ayton is only 22 who’s had some injuries. Ayton, even with injuries, still manages a double double, and has the body of MyPlayer center. Ayton does change the game when he’s on the court. It’s much harder for opposing teams to drive to the rack with his rim protection skills. Ayton also helps Booker’s and Bridge’s defense with his help defense. Ayton hasn’t lived up to his potential as the first overall pick but he still has time. 

20 F/C John Collins- Atlanta Hawks 

Collins to me is better than Ayton but not by much that’s what gets him the 20th ranking. They both have similar stories very good second years then in the third year took a step back. Collins is averaging lower in PPG, TRB, 2P%, 3P%, and FG% from year two to year three. He has some nagging injuries as well. However Collins can still be a force in the future for Atlanta that’s why he ranks still in the top 25. Collins at his best is a double double machine. He is a great rebounder, plays good defense, can shoot from inside the paint, and stretch the defense out to the three. Collins will need to get back to year two Collins to be higher on the list or not fall back any spots next time around. Nonetheless Collins could hit free agency in 2021 and be the top power forward available. That says something in itself. 

19 F Mikal Bridges- Phoenix Suns 

The second of the three Suns on the list is Mikal Bridges. Bridges was acquired by the Suns in the draft coming from the 76ers. Bridges looked to be just a role player for the Suns. Bridges has gone from role player to six men to full time starter. His offense has improved as he’s improved his three points shots and ability to score. He’s averaging a career high in PPG, FG%, and 3P%. Most importantly Bridges perimeter defense is next level. He’s looked at as one of the best in the league defending the arc. Bridges' defense gets him this high. Suns general manager James Jones came into the Suns with the public talking about blowing up the Suns roster again. He’s turned that around to a second seed in the West. The Bridge trade is a reason for the turnaround. 

18 F Domantas Sabonis- Indiana Pacers 

Yes we agree with the ESPN article piece with the area of Sabonis ranking. He’s a multiple time All Star which many players under 25 can’t say. However the list is about potential Sabonis to me hitting the spot right before his peak. Could he get better? Yes but how much more? To me not much more. In Sabonis best years he’ll probably be Kevin Love 2.0 in Minnesota. Sabonis has the third most double doubles in the league in 2021. He ranked among the top big man passers. Sabonis however never really takes over a game. Sabonis will more than likely get better but to me not much better. 

17 G Anthony Edwards- Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves last season got the first pick in a very up in the air draft for who was going to be first overall. They passed on LaMelo Ball but that doesn’t mean they didn’t get a potential all time player in Anthony Edwards. Edwards has shown signs of a Ja Morant with his athleticism. He can jump out the building with many highlights dunks already. He’s probably the leader in rookie of the year with Ball’s injury. His explosiveness, footwork, and ability to score are next level. He’s already had a 40+ point performance. Edwards does need to get better on defense. However only being 20 is why Edwards ranked only at 17. 

16 Michael Porter Jr- Denver Nuggets 

Michael Porter Jr coming out of his high school was looked at as the next generational talent. That take went away when Porter Jr went to University of Missouri. Not because of Porter’s play that title got taken off really because of his lack of play. Porter Jr had major spinal surgery going into the NBA Draft that had many question marks on him. The Nuggets the chance to grab the Porter Jr with the last lottery pick. The chance they took seems to be a good chance to take. Porter Jr has looked very good since coming off injury. Last month he averaged 60% field goal percentage and 20.9 PPG. Porter Jr played well during the playoff run for the Nuggets in the bubble. Porter is a very nice piece for the Nuggets future. 

15 G/F Jaylen Brown- Boston Celtics 

To be honest, really miss Jaylen Brown’s flat top. Since the flattop left though Brown continues to improve year by year. He’s not having the biggest year but he is getting better in certain areas. Brown’s shot is improving and becoming the true star next to Jayson Tatum. He has career highs in minutes, points, FG%, assists, steals, and free throw efficiently. Brown needs to improve on the defense end a tad bit more. Also to be a true second star he’ll need to do more than just get named to his first All Star game. Brown will continue to improve but to me he won’t be better than the players ahead of him at any time. 

14 F Brandon Ingram- New Orleans Pelicans 

Another second overall pick by the Lakers that was sent to the Pelicans in the Anthony Davis. Ingram was looked to be the next Kevin Durant like score when coming out of Duke. He’s obviously not been KD but Ingram can definitely score the basketball. His length and height definitely helps but Ingram also has straight game. Williamson is breaking out and Ingram is maintaining his numbers even improving in some areas. That’s not usual when another player breakouts after you do. He is passing more and doesn’t turnover the ball. He needs to improve defensively. He will do that. Ingram will continue to improve and be Williamson Robin for years to come. 

13 G Jamal Murray-Denver Nuggets 

Jamal Murray has improved every year for the Nuggets since being drafted out of Kentucky. Many wondered if Murray could be that lead point guard on a title contender. He certainly can be. He’s also a very clutch performer as he showed last postseason. He may not be a pure score like many players ahead of him on this list but Murray gets the job done. He leads all guards under 25 a 6.8 win plus/minus. He’s shooting a career high from three with 41% while also improving his assist ability. He does need to improve his defense and avoid having an off night only scoring 8-12 points. Murray will be the guard for the Nuggets for a long time. Him and Jokic run is going to be real fun. 

12 G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander- Oklahoma City Thunder 

Yes ESPN deserves some acknowledgement for how well they ranked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Someone that may be lost in the middle of the country, and let’s just say Oklahoma City isn’t near any media capital. Personally been for high on SGA since he was on the Clippers. Would love to put him higher on the list but he hasn’t done enough winning for me yet. Gilgeous-Alexander has dealt with injuries in the 2020-2021 season but when he did play those 35 games he looked like the guard the Thunder traded Paul George away for. His points per game increased from 19 to 23.7, he averaged nearly three more assists from 2020 to 2021 (3.3 APG to 5.9 APG), and increased his field goal and three point percentage. He runs the floor very well, and just watching the games without him you can see the Thunder are better with him. Gilgeous-Alexander is the future lead point guard in Oklahoma City. Expect him to make some noise as the Thunder continue to grow. 

11 F/C Bam Adebayo- Miami Heat

Let’s start with the fact that Bam Adebayo was snubbed from the 2021 All Star game. Adebayo has improved in nearly all statistical categories from last year. He didn’t nearly get as much attention as Booker’s snub but Adebayo deserved to be in the All Star game. He’s been the center on top 10 defense. His versatile defense lets him defend any position on the floor. He’s improved his offense as well with averaging 3 more points a game. Don’t sleep on the big man being able to run the floor either. Adebayo for a second season in a row averages above five assists. Adebayo has some injury scares but locking up him for the future was a great idea by the Heat. He will be one of the best big men for years to come. 

10 G Trae Young- Atlanta Hawks 

Yes for me the ESPN article definitely missed with Trae Young ranking him 16th on their list. To me Trae Young is much better than many people give him credit for. Young is a scoring machine. He’s averaging another season in a row averaging 25+ points and 9+ assists a game. His third point percentage has stayed the same at 36.1% and so has his field goal percentage as well at 43%. Young will need to improve that but expect him too. Young wasn’t winning for most of his career that’s why he’s only 10 but that looks to be due to the lack of coaching. His team is now winning and he’s the center piece. Since Nate McMillan became the head coach of the Hawks they’ve improved overall dramatically. Going from outside the playoffs to the fourth seed in the East. Expect Young’s game to improve as they get more time. Many Young critics come to Trae Young’s defense for why he’s not or can’t be considered an elite guard. Saying that his small body structure will never let him matchup against bigger guards. Forcing his coaches to get creative. The average defense rating is 110.6. Young has averaged over that every year he’s played. Young averages a 113 defensive rating in 2021. So not that greatest but he’s not the lame duck defender people describe him as. Young could be the closest thing to Steph Curry or not we will see. However, you can’t forget about Young as a future elite guard in the NBA. 

9 G Ja Morant-  Memphis Grizzlies 

For me ESPN was a little too harsh on the ranking of Ja Morant at 15th. He’s still a top 10 prospect under 25 for me. They moved him from 4 to 15. A drastic jump. Their reasoning however isn’t entirely wrong at all. The second season for an NBA prospect is a big deal. That’s when the film is out on you. Ja Morant hasn’t taken that huge superstar leap yet when others in that 2019 draft have. His points per game has improved from 17.8 to 19, nothing too monumental. His steals, blocks, rebounds, and assists are identical. He still averages 7.3 assists a game which is very impressive. Morant’s three point percentage has gone down from 35% to 27%. He does need to improve to not fall out of the top 10 but Morant stock should still be high. His team even with his struggles are still winning. Which shows how much time teams have to spend on Morant. He doesn’t really play with another star. Opposing defenses just really have to slow Morant down. The Grizzlies will get better players and watch Morant stock rise again. Don’t give up on Morant, he's going to be a star. 

8 G Devin Booker Phoenix Suns 

The final player of the Sun's trio of top players at any age under 25. What many think could be the next mamba like scorer Devin Booker. Booker for his fifth season in a row is averaging 20+ points per game. His third season in a row averaging 25+ PPG while also averaging above a 45% field goal percentage. He already has another season with 10+ games with 30 points or more. He has 13 in the 2020-2021 season. Booker has 106 games in his career with 30 or more points. That’s a Sun’s record. Booker was always knocked for not winning. Now that he got a real point guard on his team with Chris Paul the Suns are the second seed in maybe the most competitive Western Conference ever. Booker has already scored 70 points in a game which many elite scores don’t achieve. He’s knocked for his defense as well but that’s improved year by year. He’s having a career high in steals and defensive rating. Booker was very young when he came into the league. The 2020-2021 season being his sixth season, and he’s on the top 25 list under 25. He got a lot of undeserved criticism. Booker will be a great scorer in the NBA for us and some of our kids to see. 

7 G DeAron Fox- Sacramento Kings

What a beautiful day it was for me when ESPN ranked DeAaron Fox at 6th acknowledging him as an elite young guard. Many moons ago The Shepherd me said that Fox was the better Lonzo Ball in the 2017 NBA Draft. Many said that was crazy because of Ball’s passing ability. Watching the games Fox was way better than Ball in those UCLA Kentucky games. You could see Fox just wanted it more. One thing scouts never can measure is heart. Fox’s heart and drive is incredible. That’s what they missed. Lonzo Ball only averaged more assists than Fox in one season that being their rookie season in 2017. Fox has averaged more assists every year since. Fox's average points per game went from 11.7 PPG in his rookie campaign to 24.7 PPG in his fourth season. His third season with a field goal percentage above 45%, while also averaging 6.5 assists per game. He shoots 70% inside the restricted area. Fox’s speed gives him the ability to attack the basket and just run by defenders. Fox is a three point shot away from having an all around offensive game. The Kings are known for not drafting well. They may hit the backcourt right on the head. Fox could be the greatest thing to happen to the Kings. 

6 G/F Ben Simmons- Philadelphia 76ers

Yes even though my love affair for Fox’s game is high but ESPN got Fox over Simmons wrong. Simmons is the better player now and probably will be in the future. Simmons is not the great scorer that Fox is yes that’s true. However Simmons can work on that because he’s really good at everything else. Most in the casual mind think if you can’t score better than someone else that makes the scorer better. That’s just not the case. Fox technically does have a better defensive rating than Simmons by .1 on the 2020-2021 season. Making them very similar defenders right? No not all. Simmons guards the best scorer on the floor every night. Whether that be guard or forward. Fox only can play on a guard. Simmons body structure gives him the ability to defend anyone on the court. Simmons may not score as much as most would like but he opens up the floor. Simmons plays point guard which is insane considering he’s 6’11”. He’s averaged 15+ points, 7+ rebounds, and 7+ assists every year since he came into the league four seasons ago. You can put anyone around Simmons and that’ll get better. You could put him anywhere and he’s a matchup problem. Simmons is going to have that problem for a very long time if he can avoid major injury. Which has been a concern at times. Nonetheless Simmons can play anywhere and that puts him over most even with his lack of shooting which he can improve especially being under 25. 

5 G Donovan Mitchell- Utah Jazz

Yes Simmons won the Rookie of the Year over Donovan Mitchell but years later to me we can see Mitchell may be better for the future. At least up to this point in their young careers. Since coming into the league four seasons ago Mitchell has proven himself as one of the best league’s scorers. He’s the lead scorer on the best team in the NBA Utah Jazz. Yes the Jazz are the best team currently they have the best record in the NBA what are records for? Mitchell's points per game has increased every season since his rookie year. He’s gone from averaging 20.5 PPG to 26.3 PPG. While shooting above 43% in all those seasons. He’s averaging the highest three point percentage of his career with 39% from behind the arc in the 2020-2021 season; while also shooting the most three point attempts a game in his career with 8.7. Mitchell averages a whole one assist more from last year. Going from 4.3 APG to 5.3 APG. That’s a career high. Mitchell is starting to dish the ball well while being a next level scorer. His lack of injuries obviously elevates him on the list for the future. The future is bright in Salt Lake City as long as they have Mitchell scoring for them. 

4 G LaMelo Ball- Charlotte Hornets 

Many were flipping a table over the ranking of LaMelo Ball by ESPN at three. Even myself at first as first described in the intro. However if we are going off potential at the current moment Ball has to be near the top 5 on the list even for me. Yes Ball isn’t better than many of these players now but someday for me he’ll be better than most. His season ending arm surgery yes is disappointing but luckily it’s a bone on his arm not a tear anywhere else. Ball was the Rookie of the Year leader before his career ending surgery. He looked as amazing as advertised by Lavar Ball. Ball averaged more points than Ja Morant in his rookie season, more assists than De’Aaron Fox in his rookie season, shoots better from the field than Donovan Mitchell in his rookie season, and averaged an insane 6 rebounds a game for a guard. LaMelo could be a future walking triple double. He also improved his team’s play. The Hornets went from missing the postseason to being the fifth seed in the East. Ball will be the best Ball brother in my belief and maybe the best player of a generation. 

3 F Jayson Tatum- Boston Celtics 

The player that should be most insulted on that list is without a doubt Jayson Tatum. ESPN insiders put Tatum at fifth based on talent now and for the future. For me Tatum is third and he’s real close to two. Tatum is a generational talent if you ask me. He dunked on Lebron James at 19 come on now where’s the respect? Tatum has gotten better in every area since his rookie year. In the 2020-2021 season he is averaging his career high in points, assists, and rebounds. In just four seasons he went from 13.9 PPG to to 25.7 PPG while shooting nearly the same 45% from the field as his rookie season but with twice as many shots. His passing has also gotten better going from 1.6 APG in his rookie season to 4.3 in the 2020-2021 season. Tatum has gotten more ball control and has gotten better with the ball. Why wouldn’t he improve? Tatum has improved every season on offense. He’s also a very good defender coming in at 114.6 defensive rating. He’s had a defensive rating of 114 every year since except for his rookie year when he averaged a 111 defensive rating. His assist to turnover ratio also has improved every season. Tatum leads his teams to wins, improves offensively and defensively to already incredible skill every year, protects the ball, runs the floor, scored clutch buckets, and you could put really anyone around him, how is he not the third best player under 25? The Celtics future is in Tatum and as long as they have him they’ll be contenders. 

2 F Zion Williamson- New Orleans Pelicans 

Yes Williamson is the generational talent that we all thought he was. The people that thought his weight would hurt his game are very wrong. Williamson is super athletic, quick on his feet, and uses that tremendous power to push defenders around the court. Williamson was restricted last season due to injury. The Pelicans bumped his minutes up in his second season. Yeah Williamson is incredibly good. He’s already averaging more points per game going from 22.5 to 26.8 PPG. His field goal percentage also improved as well to 46% while shooting more shots. His defensive rating dramatically increased from 106 in year one to to 115 in year two. His rebounds and assists per game as well have improved. Williamson is taking that dramatic jump that Morant hasn’t yet. They have a film on Williamson and it doesn’t matter he's getting too good. Williamson also has the Pelicans battling the Warriors for the play in spot in the West. His presence is a game changer already. Williamson power, speed, and skill are becoming overwhelming. He’s only to get better and will definitely be a league MVP. 

1 G/F Luka Dončić- Dallas Mavericks 

To me right it’s not close who you would choose to build your team around if you had to choose one player at this very moment it’s definitely Luka Dončić. When he’s playing basketball the game looks to be in slow motion. He’s so smooth you think how are these defenders just letting him do that to them? Many doubted Luka Dončić coming into the 2018 draft. The Kings saying that to even consider Luka Dončić over Marvin Bagely III with their second overall pick was crazy. Yeah the Kings missed. Look at my posts going into the 2018 Draft. My take was Luka Dončić  was the best player in the draft. Anyone who wins a professional title at 18 is really good. Even if it’s Europe he’s playing with grown men. No one in college is doing that. He’s only been in the league three years and is already considered for an MVP. He averaged 21.1 PPG his rookie season now he averages 28.6 PPG. He only shot 16 shots with a 42.7 FG% a game back then now he shoots 21 a game but averages 28.8 points. That’s called getting way better at something you are already very good at. His shot behind the arc has gotten better. As he’s posting a career high 36.7% from three. For a third season in a row Luka Dončić averages 20+ PPG, 6+ APG, 7+ RPG. This is the second season in a row averaging 25+ PPG, 8+ APG, and 8+ RPG. Last season without key players Luka Dončić took the second seed Clippers to six games. The Mavericks have probably the future best player in the league on their squad. His ability to score, pass, and rebound will only get better. He doesn’t need a lot around him to win. Luka Dončić could be the modern day Larry Bird with more style.  

That’s my list and we are still sticking to it. ESPN wasn't really too bad in reality. We swapped some of their picks around, some we disagree on by a lot like Morant and Young, but most we aren’t to far on. They weren’t wrong for ranking Ball that high because the list is off of potential. Yes Ball isn’t better than most but after his rookie season it’s not crazy to think he’ll be better than most. Many of these players will be very good which just aren’t in position to tell you who’s for sure the best of the best because they are so young. One thing we can say though is the NBA is in good hands for years to come. We have corrected the mistakes and all is right in the world. 

By Matthew Doherty 

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