Desmond Bane- Maybe the most valuable contract in the league right now for a rookie. He’s probably already a starter level wing, and he makes $10M total over the next 4 years. In spite of his shorter than normal wingspan, 3 and D wings that cheap are hard to come by and Bane is a great one so far.
Trae Young - Hawks are 3-0 right now, and Young is a transcendent offensive talent but one wonders if the Hawks are comfortable giving him a possible Rose rule rookie extension. They pretty obviously will but it will come with high scrutinization. His defensive reputation is very bad, and the Hawks have a bad defensive team. Not exactly a formula for playoff success.
Jaren Jackson Jr. - The idea of JJJ might be better than him as a player. He has issues staying healthy, and the Grizzlies have drafted well so they’ll have to pay a lot of these guys. Like Trae, I don’t see them not paying JJJ but the idea that they wouldn’t is fascinating.
Deandre Ayton - Suns fans currently are divided over him. Half of their fan base wants him traded, and the other half wants to give him a max extension. He is a great defensive player but his offensive game limits the Suns spacing and he seemingly doesn’t want to roll. Not sure if his offensive game can be corrected, but his love of mid-range jumpers over setting picks is interesting to say the least.
Marvin Bagley - The most interesting player on this list. The Kings have to pay him because they fucked up drafting Luka over him but no one has any idea what he is. He is always injured, and even when he plays he is super inconsistent. I truly have no idea what to make of him.