A report indicated the Brooklyn Nets were interested in Bradley Beal, and the Wizards guard recently addressed that idea.
The Brooklyn Nets’ roster might look a little different by the time the 2020-21 season rolls around, but it seems like there’s no chance Bradley Beal will be one of the potential new faces.
When Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported the Nets “internally discussed avenues of acquiring” the Washington Wizards guard, Beal’s agent made clear he wanted to stay with the team that drafted him in the 2012 NBA Draft and they wanted him to stick around, as well — thus leading to the two-year extension he signed in October.
Now Beal has spoken about the matter, as well. Even though he expressed that it’s “an unbelievable feeling” and “amazing” to “hear that Kyrie [Irving] and KD [Kevin Durant] want you” to Jackie MacMullan of ESPN, the two-time NBA All-Star made it clear he’s invested in the Wizards:
I’ve put down roots in D.C. I’ve dedicated myself to this town, this community. I love it here, and it would feel great to know I could grind out winning here instead of jumping to another team.
And even though he thinks about the possibility of a new situation “when these stories come up,” he also wants to get back to working with Washington’s other star guard:
My biggest thing right now is that I want to play with John [Wall] again. I want to see him get back to that level where I know he can be, especially since my game has grown so much [while he’s been out]. What can we accomplish together? I’m so happy he’s healthy, working his tail off.
Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal was once again at the center of recent trade rumors, though moving him seems increasingly unlikely.
Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has been at the center of recent trade rumors, though it seems unlikely that he’ll be moved.
Of course, his name has been mentioned often when discussing potential moves around the NBA. We wrote about his potential fit with the Los Angeles Lakers in November 2018 and what Washington would need back in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in January 2019.
Wizards general manager Tommy Shepard has said that Beal is the type of player to build a team around, which is precisely why they have no plans to trade him (via CBS Sports):
“The way that I look at this is pretty simple: If you were looking to build a team, Brad would be the type of player anyone would want to start with. You look at the character, the talent, the age, just the whole package… Brad is without a doubt a core player in this league. Every team would love to have him, and we do.”
He is a shooting ace and has now scored at least 40 points in a game on 16 different occasions over the past two seasons. Remember: Beal boasted the highest scoring average of any All-Star snub ever.
Bradley Beal now has best scoring average of any All-Star snub ever. https://t.co/GlUrKaihFu
When breaking down his film, it is clear that Beal is an incredibly ball-dominant player for someone who is not a traditional point guard. He had a usage rate (35.1%) that ranked in the 99th percentile among all players classified as wings by Cleaning the Glass.
Especially without John Wall, who has missed extended time due to injury issues, Beal was the unquestioned focal point of his offense. The guard has acknowledged this, saying that he is “the franchise” in Washington. He has become the unquestioned alpha dog and QB1 for the Wizards since Wall got hurt.
Despite a lack of star power and All-Star teammates around him, Beal has scored at a prolific rate as the No. 1 option.
The Wizards have the fifth-best offensive rating (111.1) in the Eastern Conference, slightly above the league average (110.4) in 2019-20. The team has scored 116.9 points per 100 possessions when Beal is on the court, per Pivot Analysis, and they slip to 109.9 during the minutes he’s off the floor.
His assist percentage (28.5%) ranks in the 98th percentile among wings, showing that he is an all-around talent and not just a volume scorer. When including his passes, nearly half (44.5%) of his offensive finishes were as the ball-handler in pick-and-roll sets.
Perhaps most impressive is that when looking at the number of buckets that a player is directly involved in either as the scorer or passer, Beal ranks as the seventh-best (39.2%) in the NBA. That is higher than the rates recorded by stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo (38.4%) and Devin Booker (37.7%) in 2019-20.
One of the biggest questions: How much of his offensive potency actually derives from the fact that Beal is the primary scoring option for his squad, especially as Wall recovers from injuries? What does that mean for his future when Wall, a five-time All-Star, returns to Washington?
Since the beginning of his 2016-17 campaign (the first season in which he eclipsed 20-plus points per game), Beal has averaged a clip of 26.7 points per 36 minutes without Wall on the court. That rate was still strong at 22.2 pointsper 36 with Wall on the floor. Beal is capable of scoring when the offense does not run through him, though he is more effective on-ball.
He has acknowledged that the Wizards have built their team around him and that would likely not be the case elsewhere if he were moved (via The Undefeated):
“It wouldn’t necessarily be my team to where now I’m in a situation in Washington where I’m being built around. I know I’m going to have to take these bumps and bruises. I knew this last summer. I knew this, hell, the summer maybe even before that. You just got to grind it out, and stand true to who you are.”
Overall, his scoring style is better suited as the primary option for his team, which is the set up that he currently enjoys in Washington. He averaged 7.5 points per game on jump shots taken off the dribble, per Synergy, sixth-best in the NBA, and was 41.1% from the field on these looks. Yet he scored 3.5 points per game when shooting off the catch and hit only 35.2% of these attempts.
If he ended up on the Brooklyn Nets or the Los Angeles Lakers, rumored teams that reportedly covet his services, he would likely end up as more of a catch-and-shoot player because of his reputation as a three-point marksman.
Both the Nets (Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving) and Lakers (LeBron James,Anthony Davis) have superb interior finishers, which leads to open shots on the perimeter. Beal averaged 1.14 points per possession unguarded off the catch, which ranked just 46th percentile in the NBA.
D.C.’s backcourt back together ⭐️🐼
Earlier this year, Caron Butler sat down with John Wall and Bradley Beal about reuniting on the court for the 2020-21 season. pic.twitter.com/PlnQ02XYyO
Meanwhile, by staying on the Wizards, Beal will soon be able to be on the court alongside Wall once again. Wall, who said that he and Beal recently had a “grown men” conversation to repair their relationship, is nearing a return from his lingering health issues.
Beal recently said that Wall is like a “big brother” to him. He raved about how Wall, who claims he is 110-percent healthy, has brought new intensity to practice (via Wizards):
“It was crazy. It was like a couple weeks ago it was his first practice and he just brought a spark. I was like, ‘Dang, that’s what we’ve been missing the whole year.’ Like, we haven’t had that.”
The franchise will have a more viable one-two punch with both players on the court together for the first time since December 2018. Wall may be more willing to be more of a secondary option, too, potentially transitioning a bit when he returns (especially right out the gate).
Beal might be the next white whale that front-office executives around the league would love to catch. Considering he is the leading scorer in the Eastern Conference in 2019-20, however, don’t expect Washington to make such a move this offseason.
The projected first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft named John Wall as his favorite Kentucky player of all-time.
[jwplayer YjzFCyCT]
Over the years, the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball program has established a rich history of success and has helped send dozens of players to the NBA.
As the 2019-20 season began, 29 players on NBA opening night rosters played and finished their careers at Kentucky, the most by any program in the country. In 10 seasons under head coach John Calipari, 38 players have been selected in the NBA Draft, and the program is poised for more this year.
Wall is one of three No. 1 overall picks in the NBA to have played under Calipari at Kentucky, joining Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns. Wall was named the 2010 SEC Player of the Year after averaging 16.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 37 games played as a freshman.
Quickley had quite a freshman campaign of his own, too.
The 6-foot-3 guard was also named the SEC Player of the Year and was a member of the All-SEC First Team after averaging 16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists while he shot 42.8% from 3-point range.
Instead of the Wizards, Wall thought at the time that he would end up with the Nets through the 2010 NBA Draft.
[jwplayer L6TwtXpr]
Prior to the NBA Draft Lottery on May 18, 2010, the New Jersey Nets had the highest chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick after posting the worst record during the 2009-10 season.
The ping pong balls did not fall in the Nets’ favor that year as the Washington Wizards would come out with the top selection. The Wizards, who moved up from the No. 5 spot, had just a 10.3% chance of winning the lottery after posting a 26-56 record the previous season.
Of course, the Wizards used the No. 1 pick to draft John Wall from the University of Kentucky. In addition to Wall, Evan Turner from Ohio State was also considered to be a possible selection with the top pick after earning Player of the Year honors.
“Everybody kept saying, ‘You’re going to New Jersey, you’re going to New Jersey’ because they had the worst record at the time,” Wall said. “I’m like, ‘Okay, New Jersey is cool, I’m fine with that.’ … They showed one team got a pick and that meant Washington had jumped into the top three.
I was like, ‘Oh man, this is where my dad was from so it might be interesting here.’ I feel like when a team jumps up like that they are already going to get the No. 1 pick. So, in my mind, I’m like Washington is where I’m about to be. … I’m like, ‘Alright, I’m going to D.C.’ Nation’s capital, what more could I ask for? … It was shocking to me. I was like, ‘Damn, I thought I was going to New Jersey’ because that’s what everybody kept saying. Worst team, worst team gets the No. 1 pick, worst team gets the No. 1 pick.
The Wizards organization was ecstatic to land Wall through the lottery.
He would go on to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and has since become a five-time NBA All-Star. Wall has dealt with several injuries over his time in the league and it has caused many to wonder what he could have accomplished had he been able to stay healthy.
Wall is currently coming off of an Achilles injury and has not played since Dec. 26, 2018. He is shooting again and doing other work on the court but is not expected to play this season with the extended break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Wall recently revealed his idol helped convince him to sign a five-year endorsement contract with Reebok before his rookie season.
[jwplayer 4BJVjPni]
As the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft after a strong season at Kentucky, John Wall signed a five-year, $25 million endorsement contract with Reebok.
The decision to sign with Reebok wasn’t his first choice due to the stronghold Nike and Jordan Brand had on the basketball market. However, Wall recently revealed on the “All The Smoke” podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson that it was his idol, Allen Iverson, that convinced him to join Reebok.
Of course, Iverson signed a lifetime endorsement contract with Reebok in 2001, which pays him $800,000 annually. Iverson became instrumental in Reebok landing Wall over the likes of Nike and Jordan Brand after a lengthy conversation with him.
“I was in Reebok, I went to take my visit there to talk to them and A.I. showed up out of nowhere,” Wall said. “He talked to me for like two hours. He was like listen, ‘I know what you are going through, I know what you are deciding because I was the same person in them shoes coming out of Georgetown wearing my Jordans.’
He was like, ‘Why not change the culture? Why not be yourself and start something in your own way?’ Once he said that, he didn’t even have to walk me upstairs, you can bring them papers down here I’m signing. My idol just came and talked to me and told me the reason why I can go this way and start my own revenue. … A.I. was the reason why I signed them papers. Forget what everybody else was talking about.
Wall eventually left Reebok after three years to join Adidas. He wore a variety of shoe brands after leaving Adidas and ultimately would re-sign with the Three Stripes in January 2018. He was reportedly in talks for a buyout with Adidas in October 2019, though it is unclear if those negotiations were successful.
In this NBA re-draft from 2010, the Philadelphia 76ers select John Wall rather than Evan Turner.
The 2010 NBA Draft was filled with future stars. From John Wall to Paul George to DeMarcus Cousins, there were a lot of talented players to pick from. The Philadelphia 76ers held the second overall pick in that draft and after Wall was selected, they selected Evan Turner out of Ohio State. Turner did not have the same kind of impact as his classmates, to put it kindly.
Fast forward 10 years later and now is the time for a re-draft. A lot has happened in those 10 years and there have been some impressive performances from this draft, but would Wall go number 1 again in the re-draft? Not according to most.
In this case, Bleacher Report has George being selected first overall by the Washington Wizards which clears the way for Wall to be selected by Philadelphia at number 2.
B/R:
The consensus No. 1 pick at the time, Wall mostly lived up to the hype in his first eight years with the Wizards before missing most of the past two seasons with major injuries. One of the fastest, most explosive point guards in the NBA over the past decade, Wall made five straight All-Star teams from 2014 to 2018 and was named third-team All-NBA in 2016-17.
Wall and 2012 No. 3 pick Bradley Beal led the Wizards to the franchise’s best stretch in years, gradually dragging the team out of the laughingstock years of the late 2000s into Eastern Conference respectability. Washington made the playoffs four out of five seasons from 2014 to 2018, and made the second round three times.
The one knock on Wall’s career has been his health. He suffered various knee and wrist injuries over the years that caused him to miss time, and during the 2018-19 season, he suffered a torn Achilles that has kept him out since.
Could you imagine a backcourt of Wall and Jrue Holiday with Andre Iguodala? That would be one of the longest and athletic lineups in the league. When healthy, Wall is one of the more explosive point guards in the league, and Holiday has the size to play some shooting guard which is what he does now on occasion for the New Orleans Pelicans.
As for Turner, he was selected 12th overall in the re-draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. During his time in Philadelphia, he did average 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Klutch Sports players appear to be in better shape when it comes to getting their remaining game checks for the 2019-20 season.
As the vast majority of NBA players are facing an uncertain future when it comes to getting their game checks with a stoppage in games, several Klutch Sports players are some of the few players in the NBA who will have received a majority of their 2019-20 contract money before April 1, with most players in the NBA not being guaranteed payment beyond the first of the month due to a “force majeure” clause in the league’s collective bargaining agreement that is designed for emergencies.
Marc Stein of the New York Times has the details that the majority of the league is on a 12-month payment schedule, save for nine players, including Lakers star LeBron James, teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and other Klutch players such as All-Star guard John Wall. Those players get 90% of their season salary paid to them by April 1, which is currently the last day that players are guaranteed to get paid. Warriors star forward Draymond Green has a similarly negotiated contract, but that won’t kick in until next season, per Stein.
The nine Klutch players are naturally led by LeBron James and include John Wall, Kentavious-Caldwell Pope, Dejounte Murray, Miles Bridges, Darius Bazley, Darius Garland, Terrance Ferguson and Trey Lyles. Next season it will be 10 when Draymond Green’s contract extension kicks in
According to USA TODAY SPORTS MEDIA GROUP’s cap expert Yossi Gozlan, that means that most of the league have not even received a majority of their game checks.
The standard 12-month payment plan begins on November 15 and pays on the 1st and 15th of every month (https://t.co/31nVl81Fp8).
This would mean that as of April 1, 90% of players will have received 42% of their salaries (10 out of 24 payments). https://t.co/2YVgyrGShC
When the NBA first announced their hiatus, Blazers guard CJ McCollum forecasted a scenario when players start to miss checks during an episode to his podcast where he was joined by Carmelo Anthony. That scenario appears to be coming to pass, which is unsettling news for much of the league that depends on game checks. While there are a select few players who have endorsement deals that can pay them, the rank and file player doesn’t have those type of deals.
Although LeBron and John Wall are stars, other players much lower on the player totem pole in the NBA world have appeared to have it better than most in the league when it comes to not waiting on most of the money they are owed.
NBA coronavirus delay could mean injured players impact 2020 NBA playoffs, including Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets.
With the sports world on hold and sports fans left to choose from old highlights, documentaries and video games, bettors may look as this new window of downtime as an opportunity to beef up on research. And rest assured, the most astute of gamblers are already looking ahead to what the landscape may look like when sports do return.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some key NBA players who were injured when play was suspended and could return when play resumes — and alter both scoreboards and oddsboards.
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday, March 16 at 2:20 a.m. ET.
Kevin Durant, F, Brooklyn Nets
Injury (date): Torn Achilles (June 10, 2019)
Original prognosis: Start for 2020-21 season
Current playoff position: 7th in East (30-34)
Current odds: +4900 to win East; +10000 to win championship
Looking ahead: On March 10 — or a day before the NBA announced the season’s postponement — video surfaced of Durant driving from beyond the top of the 3-point line, blowing by a defender and slamming it home. While the expectation has always been Durant would return next season, if the postseason is pushed back into the middle of summer, getting Durant back could make the Nets a contender in the Eastern Conference. It’s enough of a possibility that some sportsbooks have reportedly taken down NBA futures bets in large part because of fear of a flood of Nets bets.
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John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards
Injury (date): Torn Achilles (January/February 2019)
Original prognosis: 12 months
Current playoff position: 9th in East (24-40; 5.5 games out of playoff spot)
Current odds: +10000 to win East; +25000 to win championship
Looking ahead: Wall hasn’t played since Dec. 26, 2018, having first undergone surgery on a nagging Achilles injury, then developing an infection in the area before rupturing his Achilles in a fall at his home. The five-time All-Star turns 30 in September, so age and rust aren’t on his side. But since the postponement, Wizards fans have been buzzing about Wall’s potential return. Plus, we’re beyond the original timetable for his return. The ultimate question may not be time but rather, even if Wall can come back when the season resumes, are the Wizards too far out of it to take the risk?
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Portland Trail Blazers
Injury (date): Compound factures of leg (March 25, 2019)
Original prognosis: Return March 15, 2020
Current playoff position: 9th in West (29-37; 3.5 games out of playoff spot)
Current odds: +5000 to win West; +20000 to win championship
Looking ahead: The timing actually worked out against Nurkic and the Blazers, as the big man was ready to return just a few days before the NBA suspended the season — and the G League season (Nurkic was expected to get some work in the G League first). With a playoff spot within reach and the banged-up Damian Lillard now getting some time to rest, the Blazers could be primed for a late-season run. Of course, in the West, squeaking into the playoffs means an early date with the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers.
Mar 25, 2019; Portland, OR; Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic is wheeled off the court after injuring his leg vs. the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen – USA TODAY Sports)
Current odds: +3500 to win West; +10000 to win championship
Looking ahead: As long as Durant and Nurkic have been out, they have nothing on Roberson (who was injured while playing alongside Russell Westbrook). Roberson’s specialty is on the defensive end, as evidenced by his 2017 All-Defensive Team selection. In late February, Roberson rejoined the team to do individual work. Coach Billy Donovan at the time admitted the team was looking at the possibility of Roberson playing this season. The extra time can only make that more possible. If he does make it back, expect him to guard the likes of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
DeMarcus Cousins, C, free agent
Injury (date): Torn ACL (Aug. 12, 2019)
Original prognosis: Start of next season
Current playoff position: N/A
Current odds: N/A
Looking ahead: After Durant, Cousins may be the biggest wild card on this list — if for no other reason he will have his pick of playoff teams to join should he return. Cousins injured his knee shortly after signing with the Lakers in the offseason but before he ever played in a game. With the emergence of Dwight Howard and the addition of Markieff Morris last month, the Lakers cut Cousins. But the big man has been attending Lakers games and there is no shortage of speculation he could be back with the Lakers for the playoffs … giving them a frontcourt of Cousins, Howard, Anthony Davis and JaVale McGee.
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The longtime friend and agent of LeBron James, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, is hoping to add more substance to NBA All-Star Weekend.
In hopes of changing the transitory nature of the NBA All-Star Weekend, Klutch Sports founder and super-agent Rich Paul is trying to add a little bit of substance to the weekend with something that can have a little bit more of an impact on the city than the deluge of celebrities and athletes that goes to every city that hosts the All-Star festivities.
CNBC’s Jabari Young got the scoop on what Paul is calling “Klutch Conversations,” talks about financial literacy that will begin this Friday at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago, which is in the southside neighborhood of Kenwood. Klutch is also partnering with Chance The Rapper’s SocialWorks program and food manufacturer General Mills for the event.
According to Young, Paul plans to do more than just this weekend’s talk in Chicago, because they are important to the founder of Klutch.
“There are no dinner-table conversations educating to what’s going on about how to understand credit, how to understand how Bob Iger is now the CEO of Disney,” Paul, 39, told CNBC in an interview. “What does that mean? How does someone get to that point? We don’t grow up understanding those dynamics. We grow up understanding that life is hard, and it’s going to be difficult for me to make it out [of underprivileged environments].”
Not unlike his friend LeBron James, Paul is hoping to use his own success and knowledge to empower the next generation. LeBron himself shared how proud he was of Paul starting the initiative.
This makes me so proud man. Basketball is our passion, but what we are doing in the community is our purpose! 🙏🏾❤️💪🏾👑https://t.co/pKrG0ltvzK
With the recent decade now suddenly in the rearview mirror, we looked at the top player who defined the 2010s for each team in the NBA.
With the recent decade now suddenly in the rearview mirror, we looked at the top player who defined the 2010s for each team in the NBA.
Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
(Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Paul Milsap, Jeff Teague
The Atlanta Hawks were defined by their depth under former head coach Mike Budenholzer. It is what helped their entire starting lineup earn Eastern Conference Co-Players of the Month back in January 2015. But the best player during this era was Al Horford. The big man averaged 15.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game from the 2010-11 season until he left the team during the 2016 offseason.
Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Al Horford, Isaiah Thomas
Even though he won the 2008 NBA championship and the Finals MVP in 2008, Paul Pierce went on to make the Eastern Conference All-Star team three more times this decade. Before he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2013, he was averaging 18.9 points and 5.6 rebounds with 4.1 assists this decade. Pierce even had a chance to officially retire with the organization on a one-day contract in July 2017.
Brooklyn Nets: Brook Lopez
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson
Before they were the franchise that managed to sign both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the same offseason, the Nets were long led by Brook Lopez. He was a member of the team both in New Jersey and in their move to the new home in Brooklyn back in 2012, which was his first and only career All-Star appearance. During his tenure with the team this decade, the big man put up 19.7 points and 6.6 rebounds as well as 1.7 blocks per game.
Charlotte Hornets: Kemba Walker
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Marvin Williams, Nicolas Batum
During a tough decade for the Hornets, the one thing that kept them alive and interesting was star point guard Kemba Walker. He was a part of the team as a member of the Bobcats and then when they rebranded as the Hornets. Walker was a two-time All-Star as well as a two-time recipient of the NBA Sportsmanship Award. The guard averaged 19.9 points, 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game for the team during the decade before he joined the Celtics.
Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler
(Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah
When former No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose won MVP in 2011 at 22 years old, fans in Chicago fairly assumed they would have a new defining talent for their city. Unfortunately, serious injuries made the point guard become a less impactful player than projected. However, the blow was softened a bit with the sudden emergence of a late first-round pick in Jimmy Butler. The wing won the league’s Most Improved Player in 2015. He was a difference-maker on both sides of the ball, averaging 15.6 points and 1.5 steals per game with the Bulls.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love
Considering that Cleveland’s hometown hero LeBron James notably left the Cavaliers as a free agent in 2010, few would have expected him to still be the Player of the Decade for this franchise. After such an ugly exit memorialized forever with a public shaming by team owner Dan Gilbert, though, James is a player who more than made up for the first early goodbye when he actually returned in 2014. All that he had to do was win the city’s first championship in any sport since 1948. In the process, he averaged an absurd 26.1 points per game with 7.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists for the Cavs in the 2010s.
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Shawn Marion, Luka Doncic
Even though he was drafted in 1998, the undisputed most important in the career of Dirk Nowitzki happened in 2011 when he won a title and NBA Finals MVP. While his best playing days may have been before this decade, he still managed to be a perennial All-Star. The face of the franchise, he also won the league’s award for Teammate of the Year in 2017. His presence was felt, too, during his final season in the league as he helped ease the transition into the new era led by fellow European star Luka Doncic.
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic
(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Kenneth Faried, Ty Lawson
The Denver Nuggets may have hit the lottery when they selected Serbian big man Nikola Jokic with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. Jokic is a talent like no other in the league and has become one of the more versatile players in recent memory. He has averaged 16.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Nuggets and the most exciting part is that he may still plenty of room to improve. At just 24 years old, the center could also be the best player of the decade in the 2020s for the Nuggets as well.
Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Greg Monroe, Blake Griffin
Despite not coming into the league until 2013, Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond has the second-most rebounds in the NBA since 2010-11. He has led the NBA in rebounds three times, twice earning All-Star considerations. Drummond has been consistent in his role and despite the team not being much of a contender, he has made his presence felt day in and day out.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant
The things that Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry was able to accomplish during the 2010s were almost laughable. He was a back-to-back NBA MVP who won the championship three times. Curry led the Warriors to an unbelievable 73-9 regular season while topping the league in scoring and in steals in 2016 as well. He also connected on 3.8 three-pointers per game, which is 0.9 more than the next-best player during the decade. Curry has clearly redefined the way the game is played and is a generational talent unlike any we have ever seen step foot on a basketball court.
Houston Rockets: James Harden
(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Dwight Howard, Clint Capela
There has been no trade recently that changed the league quite like the one that sent the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year winner James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets. He has been an All-Star every year for Houston and led the league in assists 2017. The guard then led the league in scoring in 2018 as the NBA MVP and then again in 2019. Harden has put up an absurd 29.6 points with 6.0 rebounds and 7.7 assists for the Rockets. In an age of analytics, he has been the darling for general manager Daryl Morey.
Indiana Pacers: Paul George
(Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: David West, George Hill
Former Indiana Pacers wing Paul George was a four-time All-Star with the franchise, winning NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2013. The two-way star also received All-Defensive team honors three times while with the team. He averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game for Indiana during his team with the Pacers. One of the other best factors about George is that his trade allowed Indiana’s front office to acquire two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo and potential first-time All-Star big man Domantis Sabonis.
LA Clippers: Chris Paul
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan
Before there was Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the Clippers, there was Lob City. None of the success happening for the franchise now would be possible if it weren’t for Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The tide was turning when Griffin was drafted in 2009 and won Rookie of the Year in 2011. But it was solidified when they traded for CP3 in December 2011. Paul averaged an impressive 18.8 points and 9.8 assists with 2.2 steals per game when he was a member of the Clippers. He made the All-Star team five times in Los Angeles and twice led the NBA in assists during that time.
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant
(Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Pau Gasol, LeBron James
Unlike with Nowitzki, the peak accomplishments for Kobe Bryant occurred before 2010. But even during this decade, he added another NBA title to his arsenal and an All-Star appearance each year before retiring in 2016. Bryant averaged 24.2 points per game for the Lakers starting in 2010-11, which was above average for someone who was his age. Of course, there was little more memorable than Bryant scoring 60 points in his final professional game.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: MARC GASOL
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Honorable Mentions: Mike Conley, Zach Randolph
Former Memphis Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol averaged 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists during his time with the Grizzlies this decade. He made three All-Star appearances while a member of the franchise, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. The center was a fixture for Memphis, making the playoffs six times with the Grizzlies. Gasol, a World Cup winner with Spain, eventually won his first NBA title in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors after a midseason trade.
Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
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Honorable Mentions: LeBron James, Chris Bosh
While it was obvious that James was the best player on the team, none of The Big 3 era Miami Heat would have been possible if it were not for Dwyane Wade. He was the instrumental player recruiting both James and Chris Bosh to Miami and even gave up more money in the process to allow it to happen. Wade also sacrificed his role as the key star to make room for more touches to both James and Bosh. This led to two more NBA Finals wins for Wade and All-Star appearances between 2010 and 2016. He was also able to come back to the Heat and retire with the franchise.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been one of the most dominant basketball players in recent memory. He has averaged 19.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game since entering the league. After winning the NBA MVP in 2019, he has followed up with an equally impressive season so far this year. His play has been so sharp that one of the league’s most pressing questions, even now a year and a half away from his eligibility, is what will he decide to do as an upcoming free agent.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns
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Honorable Mentions: Kevin Love, Andrew Wiggins
After trading away Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2014 offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to bounce back in some ways by grabbing No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns. He has played the part of one of the elite big men in the NBA, averaging 22.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game since entering the pros. Towns has also made 39.6 percent of his three-point attempts, showing his versatility as an offensive force.
New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis
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Honorable Mentions: Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson
His exit may have left a sour taste in the mouth of the New Orleans Pelicans, but Anthony Davis was absolutely stellar during his time with the team. He averaged 23.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and also led the league in blocks three times. Davis was a six-time All-Star for the Pelicans and while he now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, his return will leave New Orleans in a fine place for the upcoming decade. Not only did the front office get an unreal surplus of draft picks in the deal but Brandon Ingram is playing like a potential superstar.
New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony
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It was a relatively underwhelming decade for the New York Knicks under team owner James Dolan. The front office mortgaged quite a bit of their future to secure Carmelo Anthony via trade in 2011 despite knowing that the star would become a free agent that offseason. As such, the team was a bit of a one-man show under his leadership. He averaged 24.7 points as well as 7.0 rebounds per game on the Knicks, eventually leaving in 2017.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant
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Honorable Mentions: Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka
The Oklahoma City Thunder somehow drafted three MVP winners who all hit their primes during the 2010s. While none of them is still with the team, the one who made the biggest splash was Kevin Durant. The former No. 2 overall pick put up 28.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while also shooting 38.6 percent from three-point range. Even though point guard Russell Westbrook was the player who had the longest tenure with the team, it was obvious that Oklahoma City was the most successful version of itself with Durant on the roster.
Orlando Magic: Nikola Vucevic
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Honorable Mentions: Dwight Howard, Evan Fournier
Orlando Magic big man Nikola Vucevic might be the most underrated NBA player of the decade. He made just one All-Star appearance, finally earning the love last season. While he originally started his career in Philadelphia, he has found a niche in Orlando. The former No. 16 overall pick has averaged 16.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for the Magic.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid
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Honorable Mentions: Ben Simmons, Thaddeus Young
His career may have started off defined by injury but since he has become a healthier player, there have been few with a higher ceiling than Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. The big man has scored 24.2 points and pulled down 11.6 rebounds per game. He made the NBA All-Rookie First Team his first year in the league back in 2017. He has made the All-Star team, All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive Second Team in both years since.
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker
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Honorable Mentions: Goran Dragic, PJ Tucker
The Phoenix Suns have not had a decade many fans will want to look back on with fond memories. But the one takeaway is that there is at least some hope for the future due to the scoring punch of Devin Booker. He has been able to put up 21.7 points and 4.5 assists per game since he entered the NBA just two days before his 19th birthday. Booker put up 70 points back in March 2017 and at just 20 years old, he was the youngest player to put up 60 points in an NBA game. Back in March 2019, Booker had three games in a row where he scored at least 48 points.
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard
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Honorable Mentions: LaMarcus Aldridge, CJ McCollum
There are few players in NBA history who have embraced their team’s city quite like Trail Blazers star has welcomed Portland into his life. After he was drafted No. 6 overall in 2012, he has turned his the Blazers into one of the most consistent contenders in the league. Lillard, who won Rookie of the Year his first season in the pros, is a four-time All-Star. He was honored with All-NBA 1st Team consideration in 2018 and led Portland to the Western Conference Finals in 2019. He has averaged 23.7 points and 6.4 assists per game for the Trail Blazers during his professional career thus far.
Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins
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Honorable Mentions: Isaiah Thomas, Rudy Gay
While the Sacramento Kings had a disappointing decade in many ways, their most feared player during the 2010s was undeniably DeMarcus Cousins. He was a force to be reckoned with on the Kings, averaging 21.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2011 and he then took home All-NBA 2nd Team in 2015 and 2016. The big man was also disciplined and suspended a bit too often for comfort during his time on the Kings, eventually leading to an inevitable divorce of the two parties.
San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard
SAN ANTONIO, TX – (Photo byJoe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker
When he won NBA Finals MVP in 2014, it was clear that former No. 15 overall pick Kawhi Leonard was a special player in this league. But he was able to take his game to the next level during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, also winning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards for his efforts in 2015 and 2016. Leonard, who led the league in steals in 2015, also came into his own on the offensive side of the floor while before his time in San Antonio came to a surprisingly ugly close that kept him sidelined for the majority of 2017-18.
Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry
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Honorable Mentions: DeMar DeRozan, Kawhi Leonard
While it was Leonard who was the undisputed best player of the team that won the Toronto Raptors their first NBA championship, veteran point guard Kyle Lowry was the heart and soul of the squad. After the team traded away his longtime teammate DeMar DeRozan during the 2018 offseason, the year was inevitably going to be an emotional rollercoaster for Lowry. But for him to respond by helping Toronto finally carry the Larry O’Brien trophy was an effort that solidified his place as the Player of the Decade for the Raptors.
Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert
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Honorable Mentions: Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors
If general fans valued defense the same way they value offense, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert would be considered one of the Top 10 players in the NBA. After he led the league in blocks back in 2017, the French big went on to win Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and in 2019. Gobert has actually averaged 2.2 blocks per game since entering the league in 2013. He has also pulled down 10.8 rebounds per game and has connected on 63.4 percent of his total field goal attempts.
Washington Wizards: John Wall
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Honorable Mentions: Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat
Before his recent injury trouble, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall was an electrifying player. He has averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 assists for the Wizards since going No. 1 overall in the 2010 NBA draft. He made the All-Star team from 2014 until 2018, also grabbing All-Defensive 2nd Team honors in 2015 and All-NBA 3rd Team in 2017. Wall has averaged 1.7 steals per game, too, showing he can be a defensive stopper. Now he is on a tough contract, though he initially earned it with his previously fantastic play.
