UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

Breakout Stars In The Waiting:

Over the last few years we've soon a lot of guys that looked really good in limited time, but have yet to put everything together and be in the right situation. The previous years' lists have been Sabonis, Siakam, Christian Wood, and Victor Oladipo to name a few. We are seeing guys more NBA ready entering the league and having a wider array of skills at a younger age. This could be a combination of social media allowing for a wider reach for scouts, or it could be just improved pace and technique over time.

Without further ado, here is a list of guys that I've been scouting for a while that are ready to pop at any moment.

JARRETT ALLEN: This is probably a pretty obvious one. While many were concerned he had taken a step back this year, in the 18 games in a Cavs uniform, he's averaging 14.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, and 1.7 BPG. He's doing all of this in only 27.2 MPG and has impressed enough that Cleveland has indefinitely held out Drummond until they find a trade target. Aside from being a fantasy monster, he's a major improvement on the defensive end for a young Cavs team that might find their way into the playoffs for the first time in a while.

ROBERT WILLIAMS III: He's been on my list for a long time. Aside from being an explosively fun player to watch, his per-36 stats are ridiculous. 15.0 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 2.4 SPG, 3.2 BPG. He is not a shooter, but he's a high motor guy that seems to never run out of energy. On the right team, he could be a Montrezll Harrell type player or more. He's only 23 years old and I think he has several levels he has yet to tap into. The only flaws to his game outside of the shooting is some iffy decision making - he gets into foul trouble a lot, turnovers exceed his assists, things like that. He will develop those skills over time.

SHAKE MILTON: While he has taken a step back as a shooter this year, he's made the most of his minutes. Should he eventually move on from Philly, he could be an interesting starter on a developing team as their 2-guard. His per-36 stats are 20.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.3 APG. He was red hot from beyond the arc last year, but he was relegated to mostly a bench shooter. His game has expanded and he is much  more involved in the offense. His near 88% free throw percentage hints that his shots will start falling and he plays with much more aggression and finesse. At 6' 5" and 205 lbs, he fits the profile of a modern 2-guard and has improved on nearly every facet of his game. 

TERENCE DAVIS: Talk about a guy that can get hot quickly. Davis was looking like he could be a guy that would get minutes in the second half of the season with the Raptors starting slow, but with Toronto in the midst of a 4-game winning streak and over .500, he might have to bide his time. Toronto has a lot of talented guards - Lowry, VanVleet, and Powell - not to mention a lot of other okay role players at that position like Malachi Flynn and Matt Thomas. Of the latter, Davis has the most upside by far. His per-36 is 17.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 3.5 3PG. He's almost a 92% free throw shooter, he doesn't excessively turn over the ball, and he's only 23. Barring a trade or a plethora of injuries, there is not a quick path for him to get minutes, but he'd be a guy to pay attention to for his shooting and defense.

TALEN HORTON-TUCKER: With Davis out for a month, we will get to see him get a few more minutes, but he's a project with considerable potential. His per-36 is solid but jump out at you - 14.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG - but he's figuring things out and has shown that he is more than a role player. He has often been used as a secondary playmaker, is a solid free throw shooter, very athletic, excellent defense - sort of reminds me of DeMar DeRozan. Much in the same way as DeMar, he struggles from beyond the arc, but at 20 years old, it might be something he can correct. He's received praise from everyone including the media and LeBron, and I'm completely sold into the hype. Watch him for 10 minutes and you will be too.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]