SLN's 25 EQUAL TO OR Under 25 - 2019-20 edition
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raptors
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SLN's 25 EQUAL TO OR Under 25 - 2019-20 edition
As I contemplate rebuilding and my total lack of RP resources, I wrote another article. Trade with me guys.
The goal: Who are the players that will define the next decade of SLN?
The reality: There's so much young talent in the league right now that a handful of really good players got omitted. This list is more based on how good guys are now, but I tried to bake upside/projection in too. I went for vibes mostly.
26. BONUS! Isaac Bonga | Age: 20 | Phoenix Suns
The good: Looks like Jeff McInnis without a jumper.
The bad: Not especially good at scoring.
The verdict: Can he make a leap offensively, or will he top out as an elite supporting piece on an inside-oriented team? I just wanted to write about Bonga, so he made the list.
25. Brandon Ingram | Age: 22 | Vancouver Grizzlies
The good: Has already made an All-Star team. Nice scorer.
The bad: Hates defense so much I almost left him off the list.
The verdict: Can he get to another level as a scorer? If not, where does he top out?
24. Fred Van Vleet | Age: 25 | Utah Jazz
The good: Awesome two-way guard.
The bad: Turnovers are kind of a thing.
The verdict: Maybe not sexy, but how many young guys will get to where Fred is defensively? The ceiling is the roof?
23. Lauri Markkanen | Age: 22 | Portland Trail Blazers
The good: He could be like Dirk?
The bad: Nobody can be like Dirk.
The verdict: Could be awesome, even if he's not Dirk.
22. Jalen Brunson | Age: 23 | Seattle Supersonics
The good: Takes good care of the ball and scores it really well.
The bad: Doesn't play good defense. Plays on a team with 100 other point guards.
The verdict: There's a world where Brunson leapfrogs these other young PGs, but need to see him properly unleashed.
21. Tyus Jones | Age: 23 | San Antonio Spurs
The good: Takes amazing care of the ball. Steals it a lot. Winning player.
The bad: Offense is slumping this season. Probably just an ok positional defender.
The verdict: Unclear if Jones will transcend beyond where he currently is, but where he is at the moment is pretty great, assuming his shooting bounces back.
20. Zion Williamson | Age: 19 | Washington Bullets
The good: Has insane inside scoring.
The bad: Everything else depends on potential and camps.
The verdict: I felt I really just needed to include one Bullets player on here, but it's anyone's guess which ones pop.
19. De'Aaron Fox | Age: 22 | Indiana Pacers
The good: Somehow, Fox is a super elite shooter already, thanks to freebies and good TCs. Great steals. Really nice player.
The bad: Turns it over a bit more than is preferable.
The verdict: Fox could wind up as one of the best PGs in the league with continued growth, or he could be in the Hall of Very good.
18. Markelle Fultz | Age: 21 | Los Angeles Clippers
The good: Kind of a prototypically awesome FBB PG. Already has great turnover control.
The bad: Maybe more of a game manager than explosive scorer. Watch out for his shoulder.
The verdict: Could be a top-five PG of this era thanks to his great handling and low passing. He could top out as more of a Top 10 PG without more scoring uptick, but also plays with a lot of scorers right now, so maybe room to grow.
17. Zach LaVine | Age: 25 | Cleveland Cavaliers
The good: Really good scorer. Looks like he plays defense, too.
The bad: Really bad at taking care of the ball.
The verdict: A lot like IRL LaVine...is he a winning player, or are the numbers somewhat fraudulent?
16. Aaron Gordon | Age: 24 | Toronto Raptors
The good: Has turned into an elite offensive player in his first full season at power forward. Draws lots of fouls and makes FTs at an elite clip. Doesn't turn it over much. Blocks shots now, too. Can also play the 3 pretty well, particularly if you want to score inside.
The bad: Rebounding is average when playing PF.
The verdict: All the many freebies I gave Gordon have turned him into a waaaay better player than he is IRL. Can he keep improving defensively and on the glass? How much will you trade me to get him, tee hee. He's amazing and underrated probably.
15. Karl-Anthony Towns | Age: 24 | Minnesota Timberwolves
The good: Sick ratings and has never been the top banana on his team. Maybe room to blossom if he ever gets separated from Giannis, maybe doesn't need to be. Plays more defense than he does IRL.
The bad: Has never been efficient enough to deserve to be the top banana, so...
The verdict: Is he riding his name-brand power on this list, or is there another gear for KAT?
14. Jaylen Brown | Age: 23 | San Antonio Spurs
The good: A lot of SF's take time — Brown has ascended before hitting his second contract. A two-way stud.
The bad: Has to live with the eternal pressure of being picked ahead of Jamal Murray and Domas Sabonis.
The verdict: He's already one of the best wings of this generation — can he improve further?
13. Semi Ojeleye | Age: 25 | Charlotte Hornets
The good: Absolute fucking tank on offense. Doesn't turn it over. Defense seems adequate. Juiced by NDL freebies. Really good rebounder.
The bad: Nobody looks at the NDL and thought to try and sign him away from the Hornets!
The verdict: I think the main question is how much hidden potential Ashes gave him, which is scary to think about.
12. Jonathan Isaac | Age: 22 | Charlotte Hornets
The good: Maybe the best defender since Kirilenko. Has the same last name as the Sim God. He's going to get a supercamp!
The bad: His offense isn't good. It's an election year.
The verdict: Isaac has amazing upside as a true two-way big with tremendously developed defense and boards. If he doesn't get there as a scorer, he'll still be an elite talent purely off his defense.
11. Luka Doncic | Age: 20 | Chicago Bulls
The good: He's Luka. He's going to get a supercamp next year.
The bad: Nobody is exactly sure where his turnovers or defense will level out at, but does it matter?
The verdict: There's still a chance Luka becomes the best player in the league, but it will take him some luck with TCs to get there.
10. Domantas Sabonis | Age: 23 | Indiana Pacers
The good: His offense is amazing.
The bad: His defense isn't very good.
The verdict: This guy is one of the most underrated young stars in the league after getting his supercamp. Would love to hear people kinda debate the elite bigs in the 6-10 range here. Don't give up on young bigs, they take time!
9. Myles Turner | Age: 23 | New York Knicks
The good: This guy is having an absolutely batshit season, even though it hurts my brain to imagine him as, basically, Wembanyama with less blocks and boards. His strength advantage and great shooting has made him an offensive monster with great stocks.
The bad: He's not a great rebounder and despite his stocks, is subpar at perimeter D with limited quickness, thus the B- rating as a small forward. It's probably too late for him to develop boards.
The verdict: The production says it all, if you can live with his unique profile with the defense and boards.
8. Kristaps Porzingis | Age: 24 | Vancouver Grizzlies
The good: Has become a pretty efficient two-way machine who can fit nicely into most team setups. He's also a great example of why not to move your bigs who can shoot to small forward — he developed blocks and boards early and now is very cool
The bad: "The Zinger" is a fucking annoying nickname.
The verdict: A lot to like — can he find another level and anchor a title team?
7. Nikola Jokic | Age: 24 | Phoenix Suns
The good: He already has a ring! He looks a lot like real Jokic. His turnovers aren't even that bad anymore. I love him.
The bad: He can only play center and he can only get SF camps. He isn't stocky. How will he age as a result?
The verdict: Yeah I mean, I fucking love Jokic, but not everyone does the same amount.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo | Age: 25 | Minnesota Timberwolves
The good: There are a ton of great young bigs in the league, and Giannis is still somehow only 25. He's an amazing two-way player with awesome efficiency in spite of average shooting.
The bad: He might need to always play in balanced/inside to maximize his game, and he isn't a great outside scorer. His turnovers are up this season, due probably to the heavy inside focus upping his usage.
The verdict: His unique game isn't for traditional GMs, maybe, but he's pretty sick. Can Pankin optimize for him with James Harden gone? We will see.
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Age: 21 | Milwaukee Bucks
The good: SGA's career is off to a really promising start, and it's only been two TCs. Based on his notes, he has all the ingredients to be a total stud. He also has +8 left.
The bad: He's gotten a handling camp already, but those might need a little more time, which will determine how broken he is.
The verdict: There's a real chance he becomes the best player in the league over time, and it's scary he's on the same team as Mitchell, but one of those two guys needs to stop turning it over so much probably.
4. Donovan Mitchell | Age: 23 | Milwaukee Bucks
The good: Mitchell has had some crazy TCs out of the box and is one of the league's best scorers. He's also a really good defender, surprisingly. He's fast-tracked his way into being great and has +8 left.
The bad: His turnovers are suboptimal, although you'll happily live with them.
The verdict: It's a good thing for all of us that Ashes didn't give Mitchell a "Can play PG" stip!
3. Devin Booker | Age: 23 | Orlando Magic
The good: Book has reached his destiny as Millennial Ray Allen, becoming one of the most efficient players in the league and pretty well-rounded one, too. He has a case as the best two-guard in the league!
The bad: His defense and rebounding are average.
The verdict: It's possible the next wave of guards leapfrogs Booker in the next few seasons, but he's basically fully-formed and yet can still feasibly get better. The lack of elite wings in the league makes him crazy valuable.
2. Joel Embiid | Age: 25 | New York Knicks
The good: Embiid is good at everything, with room to grow as a scorer. He's sufficiently stocky, a great rebounder, and is anchoring one of the league's best teams. He's also gotten freebies. It's broken.
The bad: He turns it over, if you care about that.
The verdict: Much like real life, Embiid is still searching for an elusive title and was beaten to the trophy by Nikola Jokic. However, it seems pretty inevitable he will win one or two of them at some point.
1. Jamal Murray | Age: 22 | Charlotte Hornets
The good: He's averaging 34 points in 37 minutes in his fourth SLN season, making him...basically Kyrie! He's also developed A- defense, which was not something anyone expected. Still showing A potential, good lord.
The bad: He doesn't get PG camps, although that may not matter at all in the end? I mean, look at Lou Williams.
The verdict: Murray has become arguably the best young player in the league, at least for the time being.
0. Bonus: Hoff
The good: SLN's youngest ever champion!
The bad: Blew up his championship team for seemingly no reason.
The verdict: Tbh, I went out drinking with Hoff last time I was in New York and I almost carded him myself.
The goal: Who are the players that will define the next decade of SLN?
The reality: There's so much young talent in the league right now that a handful of really good players got omitted. This list is more based on how good guys are now, but I tried to bake upside/projection in too. I went for vibes mostly.
26. BONUS! Isaac Bonga | Age: 20 | Phoenix Suns
The good: Looks like Jeff McInnis without a jumper.
The bad: Not especially good at scoring.
The verdict: Can he make a leap offensively, or will he top out as an elite supporting piece on an inside-oriented team? I just wanted to write about Bonga, so he made the list.
25. Brandon Ingram | Age: 22 | Vancouver Grizzlies
The good: Has already made an All-Star team. Nice scorer.
The bad: Hates defense so much I almost left him off the list.
The verdict: Can he get to another level as a scorer? If not, where does he top out?
24. Fred Van Vleet | Age: 25 | Utah Jazz
The good: Awesome two-way guard.
The bad: Turnovers are kind of a thing.
The verdict: Maybe not sexy, but how many young guys will get to where Fred is defensively? The ceiling is the roof?
23. Lauri Markkanen | Age: 22 | Portland Trail Blazers
The good: He could be like Dirk?
The bad: Nobody can be like Dirk.
The verdict: Could be awesome, even if he's not Dirk.
22. Jalen Brunson | Age: 23 | Seattle Supersonics
The good: Takes good care of the ball and scores it really well.
The bad: Doesn't play good defense. Plays on a team with 100 other point guards.
The verdict: There's a world where Brunson leapfrogs these other young PGs, but need to see him properly unleashed.
21. Tyus Jones | Age: 23 | San Antonio Spurs
The good: Takes amazing care of the ball. Steals it a lot. Winning player.
The bad: Offense is slumping this season. Probably just an ok positional defender.
The verdict: Unclear if Jones will transcend beyond where he currently is, but where he is at the moment is pretty great, assuming his shooting bounces back.
20. Zion Williamson | Age: 19 | Washington Bullets
The good: Has insane inside scoring.
The bad: Everything else depends on potential and camps.
The verdict: I felt I really just needed to include one Bullets player on here, but it's anyone's guess which ones pop.
19. De'Aaron Fox | Age: 22 | Indiana Pacers
The good: Somehow, Fox is a super elite shooter already, thanks to freebies and good TCs. Great steals. Really nice player.
The bad: Turns it over a bit more than is preferable.
The verdict: Fox could wind up as one of the best PGs in the league with continued growth, or he could be in the Hall of Very good.
18. Markelle Fultz | Age: 21 | Los Angeles Clippers
The good: Kind of a prototypically awesome FBB PG. Already has great turnover control.
The bad: Maybe more of a game manager than explosive scorer. Watch out for his shoulder.
The verdict: Could be a top-five PG of this era thanks to his great handling and low passing. He could top out as more of a Top 10 PG without more scoring uptick, but also plays with a lot of scorers right now, so maybe room to grow.
17. Zach LaVine | Age: 25 | Cleveland Cavaliers
The good: Really good scorer. Looks like he plays defense, too.
The bad: Really bad at taking care of the ball.
The verdict: A lot like IRL LaVine...is he a winning player, or are the numbers somewhat fraudulent?
16. Aaron Gordon | Age: 24 | Toronto Raptors
The good: Has turned into an elite offensive player in his first full season at power forward. Draws lots of fouls and makes FTs at an elite clip. Doesn't turn it over much. Blocks shots now, too. Can also play the 3 pretty well, particularly if you want to score inside.
The bad: Rebounding is average when playing PF.
The verdict: All the many freebies I gave Gordon have turned him into a waaaay better player than he is IRL. Can he keep improving defensively and on the glass? How much will you trade me to get him, tee hee. He's amazing and underrated probably.
15. Karl-Anthony Towns | Age: 24 | Minnesota Timberwolves
The good: Sick ratings and has never been the top banana on his team. Maybe room to blossom if he ever gets separated from Giannis, maybe doesn't need to be. Plays more defense than he does IRL.
The bad: Has never been efficient enough to deserve to be the top banana, so...
The verdict: Is he riding his name-brand power on this list, or is there another gear for KAT?
14. Jaylen Brown | Age: 23 | San Antonio Spurs
The good: A lot of SF's take time — Brown has ascended before hitting his second contract. A two-way stud.
The bad: Has to live with the eternal pressure of being picked ahead of Jamal Murray and Domas Sabonis.
The verdict: He's already one of the best wings of this generation — can he improve further?
13. Semi Ojeleye | Age: 25 | Charlotte Hornets
The good: Absolute fucking tank on offense. Doesn't turn it over. Defense seems adequate. Juiced by NDL freebies. Really good rebounder.
The bad: Nobody looks at the NDL and thought to try and sign him away from the Hornets!
The verdict: I think the main question is how much hidden potential Ashes gave him, which is scary to think about.
12. Jonathan Isaac | Age: 22 | Charlotte Hornets
The good: Maybe the best defender since Kirilenko. Has the same last name as the Sim God. He's going to get a supercamp!
The bad: His offense isn't good. It's an election year.
The verdict: Isaac has amazing upside as a true two-way big with tremendously developed defense and boards. If he doesn't get there as a scorer, he'll still be an elite talent purely off his defense.
11. Luka Doncic | Age: 20 | Chicago Bulls
The good: He's Luka. He's going to get a supercamp next year.
The bad: Nobody is exactly sure where his turnovers or defense will level out at, but does it matter?
The verdict: There's still a chance Luka becomes the best player in the league, but it will take him some luck with TCs to get there.
10. Domantas Sabonis | Age: 23 | Indiana Pacers
The good: His offense is amazing.
The bad: His defense isn't very good.
The verdict: This guy is one of the most underrated young stars in the league after getting his supercamp. Would love to hear people kinda debate the elite bigs in the 6-10 range here. Don't give up on young bigs, they take time!
9. Myles Turner | Age: 23 | New York Knicks
The good: This guy is having an absolutely batshit season, even though it hurts my brain to imagine him as, basically, Wembanyama with less blocks and boards. His strength advantage and great shooting has made him an offensive monster with great stocks.
The bad: He's not a great rebounder and despite his stocks, is subpar at perimeter D with limited quickness, thus the B- rating as a small forward. It's probably too late for him to develop boards.
The verdict: The production says it all, if you can live with his unique profile with the defense and boards.
8. Kristaps Porzingis | Age: 24 | Vancouver Grizzlies
The good: Has become a pretty efficient two-way machine who can fit nicely into most team setups. He's also a great example of why not to move your bigs who can shoot to small forward — he developed blocks and boards early and now is very cool
The bad: "The Zinger" is a fucking annoying nickname.
The verdict: A lot to like — can he find another level and anchor a title team?
7. Nikola Jokic | Age: 24 | Phoenix Suns
The good: He already has a ring! He looks a lot like real Jokic. His turnovers aren't even that bad anymore. I love him.
The bad: He can only play center and he can only get SF camps. He isn't stocky. How will he age as a result?
The verdict: Yeah I mean, I fucking love Jokic, but not everyone does the same amount.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo | Age: 25 | Minnesota Timberwolves
The good: There are a ton of great young bigs in the league, and Giannis is still somehow only 25. He's an amazing two-way player with awesome efficiency in spite of average shooting.
The bad: He might need to always play in balanced/inside to maximize his game, and he isn't a great outside scorer. His turnovers are up this season, due probably to the heavy inside focus upping his usage.
The verdict: His unique game isn't for traditional GMs, maybe, but he's pretty sick. Can Pankin optimize for him with James Harden gone? We will see.
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Age: 21 | Milwaukee Bucks
The good: SGA's career is off to a really promising start, and it's only been two TCs. Based on his notes, he has all the ingredients to be a total stud. He also has +8 left.
The bad: He's gotten a handling camp already, but those might need a little more time, which will determine how broken he is.
The verdict: There's a real chance he becomes the best player in the league over time, and it's scary he's on the same team as Mitchell, but one of those two guys needs to stop turning it over so much probably.
4. Donovan Mitchell | Age: 23 | Milwaukee Bucks
The good: Mitchell has had some crazy TCs out of the box and is one of the league's best scorers. He's also a really good defender, surprisingly. He's fast-tracked his way into being great and has +8 left.
The bad: His turnovers are suboptimal, although you'll happily live with them.
The verdict: It's a good thing for all of us that Ashes didn't give Mitchell a "Can play PG" stip!
3. Devin Booker | Age: 23 | Orlando Magic
The good: Book has reached his destiny as Millennial Ray Allen, becoming one of the most efficient players in the league and pretty well-rounded one, too. He has a case as the best two-guard in the league!
The bad: His defense and rebounding are average.
The verdict: It's possible the next wave of guards leapfrogs Booker in the next few seasons, but he's basically fully-formed and yet can still feasibly get better. The lack of elite wings in the league makes him crazy valuable.
2. Joel Embiid | Age: 25 | New York Knicks
The good: Embiid is good at everything, with room to grow as a scorer. He's sufficiently stocky, a great rebounder, and is anchoring one of the league's best teams. He's also gotten freebies. It's broken.
The bad: He turns it over, if you care about that.
The verdict: Much like real life, Embiid is still searching for an elusive title and was beaten to the trophy by Nikola Jokic. However, it seems pretty inevitable he will win one or two of them at some point.
1. Jamal Murray | Age: 22 | Charlotte Hornets
The good: He's averaging 34 points in 37 minutes in his fourth SLN season, making him...basically Kyrie! He's also developed A- defense, which was not something anyone expected. Still showing A potential, good lord.
The bad: He doesn't get PG camps, although that may not matter at all in the end? I mean, look at Lou Williams.
The verdict: Murray has become arguably the best young player in the league, at least for the time being.
0. Bonus: Hoff
The good: SLN's youngest ever champion!
The bad: Blew up his championship team for seemingly no reason.
The verdict: Tbh, I went out drinking with Hoff last time I was in New York and I almost carded him myself.
Last edited by raptors on October 28th, 2024, 9:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Raptors 905
45-9
2020 NDL regular season champions
45-9
2020 NDL regular season champions
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Concepts of a Plan
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Spelled his name wrong JWoo. It’s 
SLN Single Season FG% Record Holder (2019)
Covid is bullshit
Ashes didn’t fire himself
Covid is bullshit
Ashes didn’t fire himself
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Concepts of a Plan
- General Manager
- Posts: 1971
- Joined: December 20th, 2023, 2:32 pm
- Contact:
Well he’s not under 25. But also neither is half this list. Apparently Under 25 is an inaccurate description
SLN Single Season FG% Record Holder (2019)
Covid is bullshit
Ashes didn’t fire himself
Covid is bullshit
Ashes didn’t fire himself
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raptors
- General Manager
- Posts: 1917
- Joined: December 30th, 2023, 3:58 pm
- Location: The North
- Contact:
Equal to or under 25Concepts of a Plan wrote: October 28th, 2024, 9:35 pmWell he’s not under 25. But also neither is half this list. Apparently Under 25 is an inaccurate description
Raptors 905
45-9
2020 NDL regular season champions
45-9
2020 NDL regular season champions
I got the RFA tag brotha, they can try
Fauci is a nerd
It’s honestly surprising to see JWoo miss this big. I almost wanna tank our relationship (again) over you leaving Ben Simmons off the list, Woo. He’s 23 with Flat A def A- rebounding and A scouted potential still . He sucks balls at shooting but Is 11 rebounds and 3.3 to 1.2 sTOcks not elite enough for yah?
This man would elevate like 5 teams to “very nice” borat status running balanced or inside O as a PG.
This man would elevate like 5 teams to “very nice” borat status running balanced or inside O as a PG.
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raptors
- General Manager
- Posts: 1917
- Joined: December 30th, 2023, 3:58 pm
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I was waiting for you to post about him so I could tell everyone to sign him away from you in free agency, you took the baitSoNicks wrote: October 28th, 2024, 10:05 pm It’s honestly surprising to see JWoo miss this big. I almost wanna tank our relationship (again) over you leaving Ben Simmons off the list, Woo. He’s 23 with Flat A def A- rebounding and A scouted potential still . He sucks balls at shooting but Is 11 rebounds and 3.3 to 1.2 sTOcks not elite enough for yah?
This man would elevate like 5 teams to “very nice” borat status running balanced or inside O as a PG.
Raptors 905
45-9
2020 NDL regular season champions
45-9
2020 NDL regular season champions
A cowards response! Jesse posted about Ben Simmons at least once this season, he’s on everyone’s radarLeBronto wrote: October 28th, 2024, 10:07 pmI was waiting for you to post about him so I could tell everyone to sign him away from you in free agency, you took the baitSoNicks wrote: October 28th, 2024, 10:05 pm It’s honestly surprising to see JWoo miss this big. I almost wanna tank our relationship (again) over you leaving Ben Simmons off the list, Woo. He’s 23 with Flat A def A- rebounding and A scouted potential still . He sucks balls at shooting but Is 11 rebounds and 3.3 to 1.2 sTOcks not elite enough for yah?
This man would elevate like 5 teams to “very nice” borat status running balanced or inside O as a PG.
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