NY Knicks: Ranking the young core among other NBA teams

Ranking NBA’s Young Cores – #10-8

#10 – Indiana Pacers

Of the groups around the NBA, Indiana is one of many that doesn’t really jump off the page. The Pacers don’t have a multitude of interesting players like the Knicks or other teams do. However, they do have Tyrese Haliburton.

Since being shockingly swiped away from the Sacramento Kings, Haliburton averaged 17.5 points, 9.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals with 50.2/41.6/84.9 shooting splits. His borderline all-stardom bolsters a solid but TBD supporting cast.

Chris Duarte was an early rookie standout who’s got some serious shooting and scoring chops. Oshae Brissett and Duane Washington Jr. have had their explosives and Jalen Smith looks like a walking double-double. But it’s too early to say that this core should be any higher.

#9 – Orlando Magic

Orlando is finally rebuilding after years of mediocrity. You wouldn’t know it from the team’s record, but it’s looking very good so far.

Their depth of NBA talent is perhaps the best in the league. Moritz Wagner and Chuma Okeke are competent bench pieces, Jalen Suggs has been a good finisher and passer as advertised, and the frontcourt tandem of Wendell Carter, Jr. and Mo Bamba developed nicely this season and proved that they can start.

And finally, there are the guys with star potential. Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony have taken turns dominating for the club, and if Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz get back to where they were before their injuries, watch out for the Magic.

#8 – Atlanta Hawks

A year ago, this team would’ve ranked much higher. But a lot of the shine has come off for last year’s Eastern Conference Finals runner-up.

Atlanta still has a couple of pretty good players, but the team’s firmly solidified themselves in the “role player” camp. Kevin Huerter is an offensive jack-of-all-trades type while John Collins does nearly all of his damage off-ball.

Then there’s De’Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu. The former has been extremely disappointing in his third year, while the latter has finally gotten the chance to show that he can be your typical rim running center who also provides stellar defense.

And then there’s the one man who elevates this team from bottom-barrel scraper to nightly dark horse: Kevin Knox… I mean, Trae Young.

Chances are if you’re reading this, you’re a Knicks fan. I don’t need to tell you what makes him special.