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Jimmy Butler and the NBA’s Top 10 Rising Stars

Jimmy Butler and the NBA's Top 10 Rising Stars

Jimmy Butler Chicago Bulls Jared Sullinger NBA Top Ten Rising Stars
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Seemingly every year, a new crop of players look to stake their claim as stars on the rise in the NBA. Excluding players like Anthony Davis, who is already an MVP candidate, as well as Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Goran Dragic, etc., who have been playing at an All-Star level for a couple seasons now, here are 10 players who I see potentially making the jump to basketball stardom.

10. Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics

Jared Sullinger Boston Celtics Improved Kevin Love - Copy
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10. Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics

Jared Sullinger Boston Celtics Improved Kevin Love
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Late first-round draft picks rarely set the world on fire, but in his third season as a pro, Boaton Celtics big man Jared Sullinger has become a legit starting PF. The 6-foot-9, 260 pound Sullinger is averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds for the C'sa, nd is developing into a threat to stretch the defense.

9. Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz

Derrick Favors Utah Jazz Power Forward
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9. Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz

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The former No. 3 overall pick has been labeled a bust by some, but has displayed growth every year since being drafted. Now a focal point of the Utah Jazz offense and the anchor to their defensive efforts, Derrick Favors is averaging 15.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest.

8. Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic

Tobias Harris Orlando Magic Star
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8. Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic

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Whether or not his future is with the Orlando Magic remains to be seen (the forward was reportedly upset that he and the team couldn't agree on a contract extension), for now Tobias Harris combines with Nikola Vucevic to form one of the best young frontcourts in the league. To date, he's putting up 18 points, eight boards and a steal per game, and is shooting more than 38 percent from three.

7. Brandon Knight, Milwaukee Bucks

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7. Brandon Knight, Milwaukee Bucks

Brandon Knight Milwaukee Bucks Guard
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After failing to impress in Detroit, Brandon Knight has led the Milwaukee Bucks to a somewhat surprising 10-8 start and is looking like one of the most versatile young players in the game. On the year, he's filling up the box score in a big way with averages of 17.3 points, more than six assists, and nearly five boards per contest to go with 1.3 steals per game and nearly 38 percent from down town.

6. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

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6. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

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An incredible combination of size, length and athleticism, Andre Drummond's physical talent afforded him the opportunity to spend this past summer with USA Basketball for the FIBA World Cup. Drummond is averaging 11 points, more than 12 boards and 1.6 blocks per game for the Pistons. Coach Stan Van Gundy would like to run the offense through him as he did with Dwight Howard in Orlando.

5. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic

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5. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic

Nikola Vucevic Orlando Magic Blake Griffin
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The other (better) half of Orlando's intriguing, young frontcourt duo, Nikola Vucevic has the look of a potential franchise player in the league. He's a legit 7-footer, a double-double guy on a nightly basis at 18 points and 12 rebounds per game, and the face of the Magic's youth movement in the post-Dwightmare era. Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers recently called Vucevic the "best player that no one knows about."

4. Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder

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4. Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder

Reggie Jackson Oklahoma City Thunder OKC Derek Fisher
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Reggie Jackson made no secret of the fact that he would pursue a starting job when he hits free agency next summer. Given his performance thus far in 2014-15, it could be hard to find a team that isn't intrigued by that idea. At 19.5 points, 7.5 assists and more than five boards per game, he has been one of the few bright spots for the Thunder this season and is looking more like star every game. OKC is looking at another James Harden situation.

3. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz

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3. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz

Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz USA Basketball
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Last season, Gordon Hayward was the man in Utah. His efficiency took a hit, but he finished the season as one of only four players in the league to average at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. This year, he has picked up where he left off, only his shooting numbers have sky-rocketed and he has increased his scoring by three points per game. At times, he's dominated the game. Against the Clippers, he scored 20 points in one quarter.

2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

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2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

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I nearly included Kawhi Leonard with that Davis/Cousins/Thompson group that has graduated out of this kind of discussion; he was last season's NBA Finals MVP after all. Nonetheless, Leonard has yet to scratch the surface of his potential as an offensive player even, as he averages a career-best 14.5 PPG to go with his elite-level defense. When the Spurs' big three are gone, he will be the face of their franchise.

1. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

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1. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Jimmy Butler Chicago Bulls Rising Star
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It is becoming increasingly clear that the Bulls will never be able to count on Derrick Rose to lead them as he once did. Be that as it may, Chicago still finds themselves leading the Central division and a favorite to win the Eastern Conference thanks in part to their leading scorer and star defender, Jimmy Butler. At 21.6 points, nearly six boards and 1.6 steals per game, he's looking like a shoo-in to make his first All-Star game this year.

Ryan Aston covers the Utah Jazz for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @MrMaryKateOlsen or add him to your network on Google.

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