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15 Young NBA Players Already Taking The Next Step In 2015-16

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15 Young NBA Players Already Taking The Next Step in 2015-16

Andre Drummond Anthony Davis — So far this season, some young players are completely standing out from the rest and are making a huge impact in the NBA. Here are 15 of those players who are absolutely on fire right now, and will most likely continue their dominance all season long.

So far this season, some young players are completely standing out from the rest and are making a huge impact in the NBA. Here are 15 of those players who are absolutely on fire right now, and will most likely continue their dominance all season long.

15. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

15. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

New York Knicks fans don't seem to be booing him now, do they? The 7-footer's play thus far has been extremely surprising, and he has been one of the main reasons why the Knicks are winning games early on this season. Being called a work in progress has suddenly vanished and Porzingis has established himself as a major threat. It's quite possible that the second-coming of Dirk Nowitzki is right in front of our eyes.

14. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

14. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Although recently Towns hasn't performed to the level he started off the season with, he is still a viable threat for the Timberwolves. The franchise is in the midst of building a contending team for the future, and Towns is looking like he'll be the centerpiece of it. Look for the big man to continue to destroy his opposition in the paint and fight Jahlil Okafor for the Rookie of the Year crown at season's end.

13. C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers

13. C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers

Many NBA fans probably did not expect the stellar play from McCollum so far this year in Portland, but he is truly making the most out of his massive boost in playing time. He's averaging just under 20 points per game right now and has looked extremely comfortable playing next to one of the best point guards in the league in Damian Lillard. This year fans will see a huge breakout star be born and his name is C.J. McCollum.

12. Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

12. Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

Obviously, being on one of the worst teams in the league doesn't help him one bit, but Okafor is still producing amazing numbers for a guy playing his first year in the NBA. Averaging about 17 points and eight rebounds per game thus far, he has solidified his name as one of the top Rookie of the Year candidates. The 19-year-old will be a huge commodity for the entire league for many years, but that's only if he stays out of trouble off the court.

11. Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons

11. Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons

Finally out of the shadow of Russell Westbrook, Jackson has emerged as one of the most entertaining players to watch right now. He's showing everybody just how good he is. Playing alongside a great big man in Andre Drummond creates a tremendous 1-2 punch that could have the other Eastern Conference teams looking over their shoulder. Jackson will have a breakout season and become a major threat for years to come in Detroit.

10. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

10. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are off to an extremely surprising start so far this year, and the major reason for it is the play of Walker. He has put the team on his back and is finally producing like the superstar he should be for Charlotte fans. His enthusiasm on both sides of the court is exactly what the Hornets need and could potentially propel them into one of the bottom playoff seeds in the Eastern Conference by season's end.

9. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

9. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Years ago nobody would have believed that Green would be in the discussion for the best power forward in the NBA. The 6-foot-7 powerhouse is putting up triple-double numbers almost every game he's played. Green does everything there is to do on a basketball court, and he's one of the main reasons why the Warriors have started out this season undefeated. Look for the scrappy forward to be near the top of the list for most triple-doubles this year.

8. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns

8. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns

Bledsoe has become a star on a young Suns team looking to make a push for the postseason. After years of coming off the bench in Los Angeles, he has certainly now lived up to the hype and then some. His 22.6 points per game so far this season has cemented him as one of the toughest players to guard on the perimeter. Bledsoe will continue to go full steam ahead, while dazzling NBA fans with his athleticism along the way.

7. Brandon Knight, Phoenix Suns

7. Brandon Knight, Phoenix Suns

It seems like Knight has been shot out of a cannon this year and just hasn't fallen back down to earth yet. The 23-year-old is completely destroying the opposition and is proving to the entire NBA just how great he is. He's the starting point guard on an emerging Phoenix Suns team that will vie for the No. 8 seed in this year's playoffs. So far, Knight has shown he has the ability to lead them there and do some damage.

6. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

6. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft is showing the world so far this season why he was chosen first that year. He's averaging nearly 22 points per game and has been the Minnesota Timberwolves' go-to guy down the stretch in every close game. Look for the 20-year-old sophomore to continue his scoring onslaught and become one of the premier players on a future playoff team for years to come.

5. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

5. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have passed the torch and given it to one of the best all-around players in the NBA, Kawhi Leonard. His lock-down defense has always been his strong skill (and it's gotten even better this year), but he's gained the ability to shoot the outside jumper a whole lot more effectively. Leonard is a complete beast for the Spurs and will be an underdog candidate to win the MVP at season's end.

4. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

4. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers point guard is easily having his best season so far this year, averaging nearly 25 points per game and just under seven assists. With LaMarcus Aldridge no longer around, Lillard has now become the focal point in Portland and the top scoring option. If it wasn't for Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard would very well be the best point guard in the Western Conference this year.

3. Paul George, Indiana Pacers

3. Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Coming off a horrific broken leg last year, Paul George has come back to the NBA with a vengeance. Nobody believed that the Indiana Pacers would start off becoming one of the hottest teams in the league at 11-5, but George is leading them better than anyone thought he could. The 25-year-old forward is creeping his way up to the elite level where LeBron James and Kevin Durant are at. Maybe this is the season that George takes the MVP.

2. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

2. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

One of the biggest stories in all of the NBA so far this season is the domination of Andre Drummond. Once Greg Monroe left for Milwaukee, it's like that move opened up the flood gates and Drummond just took complete control. The guy is averaging nearly 18 points and 17 rebounds per game right now, and it doesn't look like he's going to stop any time soon. There is no doubt that Drummond's salary will get a huge boost after this year.

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

The 22-year-old Pelicans center continues to mow down defenders no matter where he is on the court. He can post up inside for easy buckets one possession, then take his defender to the perimeter and shoot a jumper with accuracy. Davis is one of the ultimate favorites to win the MVP this season, and he will continue to annihilate anyone who tries to stop him along the way. This dominating big man is already showing that he's the next big thing.

Steve Smith is a writer for RantSports.

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