Cleveland Cavaliers: Where Cedi Osman ranks against other starting SFs
27. Troy Brown Jr. – Washington Wizards
Like the Charlotte Hornets, the Washington Wizards look to be in line for a terrible season. The 2018-19 opening day roster for the Wizards consisted of players like Bradley Beal, John Wall, Otto Porter Jr., Austin Rivers, Dwight Howard, and Kelly Oubre Jr.
The 2019-20 opening day roster will consist of Beal, Troy Brown Jr., Thomas Bryant, Ish Smith, and Davis Bertans. Wall will miss the majority, if not all of next season. There is a high likelihood that Beal will be dealt at some point. The Wizards will be playing next season with the number one pick in the 2020 NBA Draft on their minds.
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Troy Brown Jr. will have an opportunity to shine. The 2018 first-round pick averaged a measly 4.8 points on 41.5% shooting from the floor in just 14 minutes per contest last season according to Basketball-Reference.
26. Glenn Robinson III – Golden State Warriors
The Warriors will begin the season with Glenn Robinson III manning their starting small forward slot. Whenever Klay Thompson returns, he will take that position over and slide into the starting lineup with Stephen Curry, D’Angelo Russell, Draymond Green, and Willie Cauley-Stein.
Robinson III was originally drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. He has bounced around the league a little throughout his short career, but he will have an early opportunity, playing for a contender, to show what he can do.
25. De’Andre Hunter – Atlanta Hawks
It is very difficult to rank a rookie high in pre-season rankings unless their name is Zion Williamson. De’Andre Hunter is about as NBA ready as any other rookie entering the league.
He is an excellent defender who can spot up and knock down open perimeter shots. He is also a player that can finish at the rim at an excellent clip due to his great size and athleticism.
Hunter will have the chance to shoot up the small forward rankings throughout his rookie season as he is just oozing with potential.
The only question surrounding Hunter’s game entering the NBA Draft was a concern about his ability to create his own shot. He landed in nearly the perfect situation for that as Hawks point guard Trae Young will dominate the ball. Hunter will only need to spot up and cut to the rim to get buckets during his rookie season.