Top 5 Young NBA Cores

Going into the upcoming season of the NBA, expectations are set high for the rookies in this year’s draft class. This year’s draft class was headlined by top prospects such as Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, V.J. Edgecombe, and many more for this talented class. There has been a rise in organizations gathering young players and taking risks on players considered unpolished and labeled as projects. There has been a recent debate about the best young cores (25 & under) in the league with this trend of pursuing young players, and I would like to voice my opinion on this debate. I will highlight a few players for each team, and I will list my personal top 5 cores with some honourable mentions.


5. Washington Wizards
Young Players:
Carlton “Bub” Carrington (G, 19 years old)
Kyshawn George (F, 21 years old)
Bilal Coulibaly (SG, 20 years old)
AJ Johnson (G, 20 years old)
Tre Johnson (G, 19 years old)
Cam Whitmore (F, 21 years old)
Alex Sarr (PF, 20 years old)

The league and fans around the league do not hold high expectations for this young team, and I’m not stating that they are play off material, but I believe they can make the play in this year, which would be a massive step up from last year. Will Dawkins has been making moves that are sneaky good and underrated. The Wizards sent over two second round picks to the Houston Rockets for Cam Whitmore. In Whitmore’s limited starts, he averaged 20.2 points and 6.8 rebounds. Whitmore was limited to the bench in his years in Houston, and hopefully this new team will utilize Whitmore and use him to his potential. The Wizards also drafted Tre Johnson from Texas. In 33 games, he averaged 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He made the SEC All-Freshman team this past year, and adds depth to this young team. He will be surrounded by veterans such as Malcolm Brogdon.

4. Atlanta Hawks
Young Players:
Dyson Daniels (G, 22 years old)
Nikola Djurisic (F, 21 years old)
Jalen Johnson (SF, 23 years old)
Onyeka Okongwu (PF, 24 years old)
Zaccharie Risacher (PF, 20 years old)
Asa Newell (F, 19 years old)

The Hawks have a more proven core than the Wizards. Atlanta traded for Kristaps Porzingis, who can provide veteran presence for both Okongwu and Risacher. Okongwu is coming off his best season with the Hawks, and will continue to improve as a role player, and possibly play a bigger role in the coming years. Dyson Daniels has finally found his role on a team, showing his potential as a defensive guard after being traded from the Pelicans. He was a DPOY candidate, and finally found a home where he will be used properly. Jalen Johnson is coming off a career year averaging a double-double. The main concern is if he can stay healthy, as this past season he was limited to 36 games. This team is young and talented, and I believe that their chemistry will get better and push this team to be better.

3. Houston Rockets
Young players:
Tari Eason (F, 24 years old)
Alperen Sengun (C, 23 years old)
Reed Shephard (G, 21 years old)
Jabari Smith Jr. (PF, 22 years old)
Amen Thompson (22 years old)

After taking the Warriors to game 7 and ultimately falling short of moving on to the next stage of the NBA Playoffs, the Rockets made the decision to trade for Kevin Durant and give up Jalen Green to hopefully boost their chances of a Championship. The Rockets have Jabari Smith Jr., who I believe is one of the most under appreciated players in the league. He is a big man who can shoot but also a defender who can guard any position. Jabari alongside Durant creates a front court that can both shoot and defend. Alperen Sengun made his first All-Star game this year, showing that he should have been a top pick in the 2021 draft. Amen Thompson continues to improve and show off his athleticism, making this years All-Defensive team. He has great playmaking abilities and always puts on a show for the fans.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Young Players:
Brooks Barnhizer (F, 23 years old)
Chet Holmgren (PF, 23 years old)
Thomas Sorber (C, 19 years old)
Nikola Topic (G, 19 years old)
Cason Wallace (G, 21 years old)
Jalen Williams (F, 24 years old)
Jaylin Williams (F, 23 years old)

Coming off an impressive year winning the championship against the Pacers, Oklahoma has high expectations put on their shoulders to perform at the same level they did this year. Brooks
Barnhizer is a great late round pick who provides defense. Barnhizer averaged 17.1 points, 2.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. I think Barnhizer can develop into a reliable rotation player, and possibly a role player as his career continues. Chet Holmgren continues to impress when he steps on the court, though his durability is slightly concerning. If he can stay healthy like he did in the previous year, I firmly believe he can become a top 5 center this year, alongside Jokic, Embiid, Wembanyama, Adebayo, and others you may consider in the top 5. Jalen Williams made his first All-Star game this year, averaging his best stats in his career. We saw Williams play multiple positions this year, including when Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren were out for a period of time. The Thunder continue to boost their team, whether that be acquiring picks from what seems out of thin air or bringing in veterans of the game.


1. San Antonio Spurs
Young Players:
Carter Bryant (F, 19 years old)
Stephon Castle (G, 20 years old)
Julian Champagnie(F, 24 years old)
Dylan Harper (G,19 years old)
Keldon Johnson (SF, 25 years old)
Jeremy Sochan (F, 22 years old)
Devin Vassell (SG, 24 years old)
Victor Wembanyama (C, 21 years old)

My top core for this upcoming year 25 and under are the San Antonio Spurs. Stephon Castle just won Rookie of the Year. Castle is a great defender and can attack the rim well. His shooting is something that can be improved on, but I only see him going up from here. Wembanyama was limited last year with a blood clot in his right shoulder, but in his two seasons has shown All Star and future MVP potential. Wembanyama is surrounded by lots of guards, whether that be newly drafted guard Dylan Harper or NBA veteran De’aaron Fox, Wembanyama’s supporting cast gets better.