By George Efkarpidis/ Gefkarpidis@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.
Click here to see the first picks, from number 30 to number 21.
And now for the middle part of the list, players from number 20 to number 11.
20. Danilo Gallinari (LA Clippers / Italy)
Year of Birth: 1988
Height: 208cm (6-10)
Position: F
“Gallo” battled various injuries last season and failed to impress, participation in only 21 games last season.
Surely, with Deandre Jordan and Blake Griffin gone, Gallinari figures to be a focal point of a Clippers offense that lacks talent and players that can get their own shot.
With Tobias Harris as the go-to scorer, he and “Gallo” can form a strong 1-2 punch for the puzzling and rebuilding LA Clippers.
19. Nikola Mirotic (Pelicans / Spain)
Year of Birth: 1991
Height: 208cm (6-10)
Position: F
Last year, during a Bulls practice, a fight between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic resulted in the Spaniard missing 23 games for Chicago.
Upon his return, Mirotic was in top form averaging 16.2 points per game while connecting on 42% of his three-pointers in 26 games with the Bulls.
After getting traded to the Pelicans, Mirotic posted 14.6 points and his role grew after DeMarcus Cousins’ unfortunate injury.
“Threekola” will likely start the season behind newly acquired Julius Randle in the depth chart but will have a strong chance to surpass him due to the former’s lack of perimeter shooting.
18. Enes Kanter (New York Knicks / Turkey)
Year of Birth: 1992
Height: 211cm (6-11)
Position: F/C
The New York Knicks may have had another losing season but Enes Kanter certainly wasn’t in fault. The Turkish center posted 39 double-double’s last season good for 10th in the league in that category.
He also enjoyed a career-high 59% field-goal percentage as well as a career-high 85% in free-throws to go along with 14.1 points and 11 rebounds.
With Kristaps Porzingis expected to miss a good chunk of the regular season, Enes Kanter will command a lot of attention on the offensive end.
17. Jusuf Nurkic (Blazers / Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Year of Birth: 1994
Height: 211cm (6-11)
Position: C
Nurkic cashed in on an outstanding season with Portland rewarding him with a 4-year, $48 million contract
He averaged 14.3 points, 8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks during the regular season.
Portland didn’t manage to capitalize on an excellent year, suffering a sweep to the Pelicans despite securing the third place in the West.
At just 23 years old, the Bosnian beast figures to become the third option in Portland behind Lillard and McCollum and the star guards will need all the help they can get.
16. Dirk Nowitzki ( Mavericks / Germany)
Year of Birth: 1978
Height: 213cm (7-0)
Position: F/C
In his 21st season, all with the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki will start the season on the sideline and will likely come off the bench once he’s back.
The German legend, also considered one of the best power forwards of all-time will likely mentor young starts such as Dennis-Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic who are the future of the Dallas franchise.
Dirk still managed 12.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 77 games last season.
The Mavericks are unlikely to make the playoffs, but Dirk isn’t thinking about retirement just yet.
15. Pau Gasol (Spurs / Spain)
Year of Birth: 1980
Height: 213cm (7-0)
Position: F/C
In his third season with the Spurs, Pau Gasol still managed to produce 10.1 points per game despite playing just 23.5 minutes.
He also made history becoming the oldest player in NBA history to notch a triple-double which was the 10th of his career.
At age 37, Don Pau Gasol still remains one of the most skilled, strong and respected big men in the league.
14. Evan Fournier (Magic / France)
Year of Birth: 1992
Height: 201cm (6-7)
Position: G
In his 6th NBA season, Evan Fournier averaged a career-high 17.8 points to lead the Magic in scoring.
He also dropped a career-high 32 points in January against the Timberwolves and has evolved into a leader in Orlando.
With new coach Steve Clifford in town, Fournier should get plenty of touches will evolving as a playmaker as well.
13. Dennis Schroder (Thunder/ Germany)
Year of Birth: 1993
Height: 185cm (6-1)
Position: G
Coming off the best season of his career in which he averaged 19.4 points 5.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game in a team that clearly was built around him, Schroder is going to need to adjust to a sixth-man role in OKC.
While he should close out many games as a shooting guard, Schroder’s is used to having the ball in his hands and that is where he is effective.
Playing under Russell Westbrook could benefit Schroder in the long-term as he’s still only 25 years old and has great potential.
12. Nicolas Batum (Hornets / France)
Year of Birth: 1988
Height: 203cm (6-8)
Position: F
Batum played 63 games for the Hornets last season averaging 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
If the Hornets wish to make a playoff push, the French wing will need to return to his old form.
He did post two triple-doubles last season and he is still considered one of the best “do it all” wings in the League. But the general notion from his last season was that he underperformed.