Ranking the Top 7 Young Cores in the NBA

Let’s take a look at the seven best NBA teams set up for future success considering only their players age 23 and under.

Honorable Mentions: Minnesota, Charlotte, Detroit, Portland

7. New Orleans Pelicans

Notable players: Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dyson Daniels, Jordan Hawkins, EJ Liddell

The volatility of Zion Williamson makes the New Orleans Pelicans impossible to rank. When he plays, he is a surefire MVP candidate and one of the most unstoppable offensive forces - maybe only behind Jokic, KD and Curry - in the entire league. However, he just doesn't play - only reaching the 30+ games played mark just once in his 4 years in the NBA.

Outside of Zion, Trey Murphy III broke out in a big way last season, as he averaged 15 points on 41% from deep. He has top-tier positional size and athleticism, and is the kind of elite off ball floor spacer and transition sniper that fits perfectly next to stars like Zion and BI. It won't be long until Dyson Daniels is the best defender on this Pelicans team, and we all saw what Jordan Hawkins could do during UConn's March Madness run this past season.

However, the ultimate success of the New Orleans Pelicans hinges on one single player: Zion Williamson.

6. Houston Rockets

Notable players: Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Kevin Porter Jr.

Houston has more quality players that are 23 and under than any team on this list. However, unlike the other teams, Houston doesn't seem to have a top tier elite prospect who seems like a lock to reach NBA stardom (if they aren't already there). The three Rockets most likely to get there are Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr and Amen Thompson.

Despite being a scoring machine, Jalen Green has had a bit of a rocky start to his NBA career, and it's quite clear that the current, inefficient iteration of his game isn't particularly valuable to the Rockets and most definitely doesn't lead to wins. However, the upside is incredibly high, and there's a plausible path to Green becoming an Anthony Edwards type player and finishing top 5 in the league in scoring. Jabari Smith's skillset as a big, athletic shooter that can defend can fit in with any type of team, and even though the upside isn't quite as high as for Smith as it is for Green or Thompson, he could still be really good. Thompson is a bit of an unknown, but should be able to adapt to the speed of the NBA game as fast as any player entering the league. Right away, he should be a fantastic defender and unstoppable in transition due to his athleticism and array of skill moves. His potential is sky high.

Outside of the big three, Cam Whitmore, Alperen Sengun and Tari Eason are all incredibly valuable young assets in their own right. Whitmore - who has been lighting it up in Summer League - fell in the draft due to injury concerns, but possesses elite shot creation potential and top tier explosiveness, athleticism and strength. Sengun is an exceptionally skilled big man who was often misused by the last season (too many picks, not anywhere near enough post touches). His defense is subpar but regardless, he looks to be a big part of the Rockets future. Eason is a plus defender with impressive versatility, and although his ceiling is likely that of a glorified role player, he is arguably the most impactful young Rocket in terms of winning right now.

If Jalen Green, Jabari Smith or Amen Thompson make the leap to NBA stardom, Houston should finally be relevant again for the first time since James Harden was traded.

5. Orlando Magic

Notable players: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs, Jett Howard, Cole Anthony

Led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner - two top-tier, positionless franchise cornerstones - the Magic finally have some long term hope and excitement for the first time since the Dwight Howard days. After a disaster start to the 2022-23 season, Orlando spent most of last year playing better than .500 basketball, and it would be foolish not to expect that to continue.

Banchero is coming off of an exceptional rookie season that saw him average 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Despite some 3-point shooting issues, he is insanely smooth for 6'10 250, and should be an incredibly high-level player for a long long time. Right now, Franz Wagner - coming off a season where he averaged 19 points - is actually more well-rounded than the current version of Paolo, and will likely be an All Star at some point in the next few years.

Suggs has been a bit of a disappointment after being selected 5th back in 2021, but he's a menace defensively and there's still time for him to turn it around. Black has impressive fluidity and basketball instincts, and if he improves his shot he has a chance to be really, really good. Howard is an elite shooter - and yes, the Magic really need shooting to surround Paolo and Franz - but he doesn't bring much else to the table.

Between Paolo and Franz, Orlando's front court is set for the foreseeable future, but they need one of their highly-drafted guards to finally hit to reach legitimate contender status in the Eastern Conference in the next few years.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

Notable players: Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams, Cason Wallace

Using 23 as the cutoff age - SGA is 25 - probably costs OKC the top spot on this list. However, it doesn't seem to matter too much, as the Thunder, loaded with young talent, still sit in fourth.

Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams are both coming off breakout years and offer future all star potential. Despite some rough shooting numbers (although improving), Giddey is a do-it-all point guard with elite size, a sound feel for the game and top-tier passing ability. Jalen Williams is coming off a spectacular rookie year, and was probably the second most important player in the Thunder's surprising play-in appearance. He would likely go #2 in a 2022 redraft (after Paolo) and has legit star potential.

Chet is the wild card, as his ascension could be what takes OKC from an exciting young team full of potential to an imposing, Western Conference force with legit championship aspirations. Equipped with an incredible array of skills every team covets, Chet and his astronomical ceiling should go punch for punch with Victor Wembanyama in the ROY battle this season.

The Thunder seem likely to make the playoff this season - a few years ahead of schedule.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Notable players: Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, Issac Okoro

It may seem surprising to see the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 3 spot on this list given that they have just three under 23 players expected to receive minutes this year and only one of them averaged more than 10 points in 2023 playoffs.

Darius Garland is a franchise point guard, coming off a season where he averaged 22 points and 8 assists and shot 41% from deep. The leap he has taken over the past two seasons has been nothing short of special. Evan Mobley will be a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate for as long as he is in the league, and has legitimate superstar potential (Kevin Garnett?) if he can ever figure out the offensive side of the ball. Okoro is a fine wing, but his shortcomings with his three point shot have really held him back - and forced Cleveland to overpay Max Strus this offseason.

For the first time in a long time, a LeBron-less Cavs future looks incredibly promising.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Notable players: Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham

I'm not sure that the San Antonio Spurs would even make this list if it wasn't for Victor Wembanyama, so the fact that they slot in at second shows how good he is right now and how special he can ultimately become. You hear the term generational thrown out about a few draft prospects each year, but Victor is truly that: franchise changing to the highest degree.

Additionally, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan are pretty clearly core pieces, all vital to the future of the Spurs - and Malaki Branham may soon join them. Sochan is arguably the most intriguing of the four - he has all defensive team upside and if he develops a jumper he has a chance to be really really special.

All in all, Wembanyama and the Spurs seem destined to return to the heights they reached during the Duncan/Parker/Manu era.

1. Memphis Grizzlies

Notable players: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., David Roddy, Ziare Williams, Santi Aldama

In Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Memphis Grizzlies have two top 30 players in the NBA, and both are under 24 years old.

Ja Morant is the most electric player in the league, constantly displaying shades of prime Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. He is a true superstar on every level and should be one of the faces of the NBA for a long, long time. Jaren Jackson Jr. is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and is coming off a season where he averaged 19 points on 51/36/79. His elite versatility and two way play should have him in the All-NBA conversation for the next 10 years. Outside of Ja and Jaren, Ziare Williams and David Roddy are solid young wings who will look to fill the void left by Dillon Brooks' departure to the Rockets.

Yes, Jackson fouls too much, Morant has had off the court issues, and they both are somewhat injury prone, but they are absolutely the most proven duo on this list.