Trading Thursday: All-Star and Rising Star Moments
Let's take a peek at some of the Rising Stars with the most potential and best All-Star moments that are all severely underpriced.
Out of all sets from Series 2, these two are my personal favorites.
The best part about them is that both are affordable, and especially for the Rising Star’s set, some of these players have immense upside and can see some turning into all-stars in just a few years. Most of the players in the Rising Stars set arent even legal to drink in the States yet!
And for the seasons most of them are having - you would have to be a fool to judge them strictly on this season instead of looking down the line and their future development. One offseason of practicing with NBA players, NBA trainers, and playing pickup games with current players, can do wonders for young, rising stars.
There’s no basketball league in the world as grueling as the NBA and for rookies to be thrust right into this season, with the shortest off-season in sports history between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 season (72 days), some of the numbers these players are putting up are flat out impressive. A full offseason can do everything for development, and considering rookies barely had any time to prepare for this season - it makes their stats all the more imposing.
Let’s break down three of each best purchases you can make in the All-Star and Rising-Star sets.
Deni Avdija
Deni Avdija got off to a slow start to his rookie year for the Washington Wizards.
After being selected ninth overall, high expectations were set in stone for the recently-turned 20-year-old, especially after being compared to Luka Dončić, mostly because he was a player coming directly from overseas after dominating his league, similar to Dončić.
But, Avdija has turned up his play of late and is piecing things together. In Avdija's last five, he's averaging 13 points per game and ten boards - despite shooting the 3-ball at a woeful percentage. This shows the upside Avdija has if he can start consistently hitting the 3-ball. And despite only putting up averages of seven points and five rebounds a game, this recent stretch has shown he can be a core part of the Wizards along with Rui Hachimura, Bradley Beal, and Thomas Bryant. Bryant, unfortunately, suffered a season-ending injury after only playing ten games.
In his moment, he drains the Wizards’ last shot in regulation, a corner 3-pointer, against the Los Angeles Lakers, forcing the Lakers into OT - but Avdija’s shot kept the Wizards alive in a game they eventually won. They could not have won without Avdija’s late-game heroics and served the Lakers a brutal loss, especially now when the Lakers are looking to keep hold in the Western Conference standings, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis out with long-term injuries.
Plus, this moment comes with two badges. At $158 for its floor price, this is one of the cheaper Rising Star moments you can get your hands on.
Théo Maledon
Ever since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went down with a foot injury, Maledons number has been called on a ton to initiate the offense as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s primary point guard.
Maledon has not disappointed.
Maledon is looking like one of the biggest steals of the draft, alongside his teammate Aleksej Pokuševski, but the fact Maledon fell to the second round in hindsight is ridiculous. Since SGA has gone down with a foot injury, Maledon’s shooting has been all over the place but set his career-high in scoring scorching the Phoenix Suns for 33 points.
His averages in this timespan have been 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists a game, but what’s most impressive is that Maledon is shooting nearly seven threes a game - and at a 34% clip, that’s a very respectable rate for a rookie. Considering how he has to create his shot with the lack of playmakers surrounding him, this is the cherry on top.
In his Rising Stars moment on Top Shot, creating his own shot is what he has to do with the shot-clock winding down and drains a mid-range jumper - shaking his defender, fellow rookie Cole Anthony, to make the basket as the clock hits double zeros.
Oh yeah, did I mention this kid is only 19? He has future star written all over him.
RJ Barrett
The Maple Mamba, RJ Barrett had a rough rookie season, but right now is one of the most underrated players in the league, quietly having a spectacular season. All while helping propel the Knicks from one of the league's worst teams last season to a potential playoff team serving as Julius Randle’s sidekick.
The main concern for Barrett has been his 3-point shooting. But Barrett has silenced critics and over his last 40 games, is shooting an astounding 46% from three (61-133), per Jonathan Wasserman.
Barrett is still only 20 years old and has one of the brightest future’s in the league ahead of him, despite being left off ESPN’s 25 best young stars by future potential. Stupid.
This season, Barrett is putting up averages of 18 points, six boards, and three assists. Barrett has also raised his free-throw percentage from 61% to 74%. These are all promising numbers, especially for a 20-year-old - selected third overall, only behind Zion Williamson and Ja Morant. The best part is that his play has translated to winning, and that's what matters most.
Barrett will be an all-star, but at this point, it's a matter of when not how.
Mike Conley
Mike Conley is one of the most underappreciated and underrated players in the NBA.
Considering this was the first time he was an all-star, this shows it.
Conley is helping lead the Utah Jazz to first place in the West, with the Jazz compiling a 38-13 record and is draining 41% of his 3-point attempts.
Phenomenal.
One of the reasons I love this moment, is because it’s Conley’s first all-star game - and potentially last at the same time. Conley is 33, and the main reason he made the all-star game was of Devin Booker pulling out late due to injury and was also a late replacement in the 3-point contest.
In the moment, his teammate, Donovan Mitchell, tosses a pass from half court to Conley, who drains the three. I also like that it’s a teammate-to-teammate moment. If the Jazz make a deep run in the playoffs, it won’t be without Conley and his impressive play.
Rudy Gobert
Moving onto Conley’s teammate, we have the potential Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert.
Again, because of the small market Jazz, Gobert is another player not recognized enough, even if his defense is the best in the league. Gobert is looking to add a third Defensive Player of the Year trophy to his collection but might have more competition this year with Ben Simmons applying the pressure.
Gobert leads the league in some underrated stats not looked on by many, such as the most screen assists this year and last. This means his screens are so good and so strong, he creates that much space for the ball handler coming around his screen to score.
It’s not talked about much, but he’s essentially assisting the ball handler and giving them space to score. In his All-Star moment, Steph Curry throws an overhead pass to LeBron James, who bounces the ball off the floor where Gobert does the rest and slams home the easy two, with the defense nowhere in sight.
If Gobert wins Defensive Player of the Year, Gobert’s stock will increase.
Chris Paul
Saving my favorite moment for last, we have the “Point God," Chris Paul.
Paul is a guaranteed Hall of Famer, clocking in at 6th all-time in assists with 10,083 to his name. Next up is Magic Johnson, Mark Jackson, and Steve Nash, who he’ll pass soon enough.
Paul has helped catapult the Suns into second place in the West while rapidly developing young and upcoming big man Deandre Ayton. Paul can get through any defensive set with his high basketball IQ and is a master of angles.
What you don’t see Chris Paul doing is dunking the basketball.
This is rare for the 6’0 point guard, but in the all-star game got up and threw down a pretty alley-oop from another future Hall of Famer, Steph Curry.
This might also be Paul’s last all-star game because although he’s still one of the best and craftiest point guards in the league, it’s easily the most stacked position in the West, and by all means, he’s not getting any younger. Paul is 35 and still playing at an exceptional level, but father time always wins in the long run.
With this being the first all-star game in Top Shot’s history, plus it potentially being Paul's last all-star season - the eventual Hall of Famer, should not be overlooked.
Other notable moments:
Luguentz Dort (Rising Star, $140)
Precious Achiuwa (Rising Star, $156)
Kyrie Irving (All-Star, $270)
Nikola Jokić (All-Star, $297)
All views are my own.
Thanks for the article, hope to open my first pack Wednesday, can't wait to get my hands on my first moment