By George Efkarpides/ efkarpides@eurohoops.net
Ranking players is never easy and there are many factors that are part of the equation. That’s true especially for rookies and for players who despite being many years in the league, they have changed teams and it’s pretty hard to predict how things will turn out for them.
With so many European stars being part of the NBA, it was really hard to figure who will make the cut, even if 30 seems like a big number. So an honorable mention goes to Cedi Osman and Ersan Ilyasova of Turkey, to injured Finn Lauri Markkanen, to Serb Nemanja Bjelica, to the Czech guard Thomas Satoransky and also to Georgian icon Zaza Pachulia.
And here are the first picks, from number 30 to number 21.
30. Marcin Gortat (LA Clippers / Poland)
Year of Birth: 1984
Height: 211cm (6-11)
Position: C
Following five years with the Washington Wizards, Marcin Gortat returns to the West Coast for the Clippers. After Jordan’s departure, Gortat seems to have the starting center spot locked and will look to do Gortat things.
Set pick-and-rolls, finish at the rim and provide rim protection for the rebuilding Los Angeles Clippers.
At age 34, Gortat is past his prime but is still a nightly double-double threat.
Last season, “the polish hammer” averaged 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds playing in all 82 games for his former team.
29. Domantas Sabonis (Pacers / Lithuania)
Year of Birth: 1996
Height: 208cm (6-10)
Position: PF/C
In his first season with the Indiana Pacers, Domantas Sabonis was everything Indiana hoped for when they traded for the Lithuanian stud.
Sabonis posted 11.6 points and 7.7 rebounds in just 24.5 minutes per game including 15 double-doubles.
“Domas” may currently be behind Myles Turner and Thaddeus Young in the depth chart but he will likely surpass last season’s averages and may very well crack the starting lineup and play alongside Turner.
Coming off of a breakout season, in which he also averaged 12.4 points in the playoffs, Sabonis is poised for big things in his third campaign.
28. Serge Ibaka (Raptors / Spain)
Year of Birth: 1989
Height: 208cm (6-10)
Position: F
Serge Ibaka is coming off a down season in regard to personal stats even though his team won 61 games and secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Spanish forward averaged a mere 10.3 points which is the lowest since the 2013 season adding 6.3 rebounds (the lowest in his stint with Toronto) and 1.3 blocks.
Surely, Ibaka fits perfectly into NBA’s game and it’s very possible that the change in coaching could benefit him more than any other.
For now, it seems that the starting power forward job is his to lose but with Paskal Siakam quickly developing into an NBA-ready player, Ibaka may have to step up his game this season.
27. Willy Hernangomez (Hornets / Spain)
Year of Birth: 1994
Height: 211cm (6-11)
Position: C
After getting traded to the Hornets last season, Hernangomez averaged 6.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
The departure of Dwight Howard has opened up the door for minutes, but Willy will have to compete with Frank Kaminsky and Cody Zeller for the starting role.
Despite having one of the most talented point guards in the Eastern Conference, as of now, it’s highly unlikely that the Hornets make the playoffs and that could be a great thing for Hernangomez’s long-term output.
At just 21 years of age, the Spanish youngster has the skill-set and experience to thrive if and once given the opportunity.