Do the Cavs have best young core post-Donovan Mitchell trade?
By Cyrus Felger
The Good Tier
The teams in this group have a few solid pieces but are lacking direction or an overall superstar.
Orlando Magic Notable Players: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Mo Bamba, Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac, Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz
There is no denying the overall talent they possess but I think they will run into some rotation struggles as there are only 48 minutes to be played. It remains to be seen if No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero can fill the void Dwight Howard left over a decade ago.
Detroit Pistons Notable Players: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes, Jalen Duren
Killian Hayes has somewhat failed as Detroit’s guard of the future as since drafting him they took two better players in Cunningham and Ivey. Cunningham could blossom into that superstar role as he showed excellent flashes as a rookie.
Houston Rockets Notable Players: Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr.
Out of these three teams, I think H-town will finish with the lowest amount of wins but things are trending up for them just nearly 2 years after the James Harden trade and it seems they have their superstar of the future in Jalen Green. Green started slowly in his rookie season but showed huge promise in the second half when they fully embraced the tank. Keep an eye on rookie Smith Jr. as well.
Honorable mention: Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves