The Most Exciting Players In The NBA: Southwest Division

Photo Credit: San Antonio Spurs

Written By Cameron Little

Houston Rockets 

After being top of their division and 2nd in the west last season, the Rockets have a fun and strong squad going into this season and could give have a deep playoff run at their fingertips, they have one of the best young cores in the league with some vets and especially the great offense addition in Kevin Durant.

Even at almost 37 Durant is still one of the best scorers in the league and adds a great deal to their offense, however I think one of the most exciting players on this team is Alperen Sengun.

Sengun has been one of my personal favourite prospects in recent years and successful in terms of stats in his first 4 years. Averaging 19 PPG last season, Sengun adds a lot offensively and is solid on defence and can guard a lot of players in this league. 10 rebounds and 5 assists is really good stats too and to watch he is really exciting.

This could be a scary Rockets team this season. 

Memphis Grizzlies 

The Grizzlies actually have the potential to be a top 4 seed in the west with the roster they have, Jaren Jackson Jr and Ja Morant being the core of the team is exceptional on paper however with Ja’s suspensions and injuries it creates a huge problem in the team.

Obviously Memphis wont give up their franchise player but his conduct and attitude needs to change and he hopefully stay healthy.

Their most exciting player (Other than Ja) is Zach Edey standing at 7’4 & 305lbs Edey’s movement and ability is superb relative to his size, averaging 9 points and 8 rebounds a game he has had a solid first year in the NBA playing a decent role towards the end of their season as the 8th seed. His scoring efficiency and defence has great potential too, and Edey could become a top 5 Centre in the league in the next 3-4 years. 

Dallas Mavericks 

I tell you who would make this team better. 

Luka. Doncic.

It’s no surprise that Mavs fans want Nico Harrison out a worse record since the trade but somehow gets rewarded for his stupidity with Cooper Flagg, he is obviously for me the most exciting player to watch this season on the Mavs.

The consensus number one pick for a long time in this draft class can defend all 5 positions really well and offensively could be unstoppable if he develops his game into the NBA well. I genuinely think he could be a top 10/5 player in the league in years to come, the pick is ofcourse brilliant for the Mavs but it came at a very heavy price. 

San Antonio Spurs 

Another great young core in this team with the likes of Victor Wenbanyama, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, with added assets in this team I really think they will be playoff contenders this year with a good core and some great players in the team.

I can’t really say anybody other than Victor Wenbanyama here, after 2 seasons in the NBA he is already playing at an All Star level and one of the top 10 players in the league 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3.8 blocks and 1.1 steal per game the stat sheet never lies.

The guy is taking the league by storm and will be in MVP conversations in no time and probably will win multiple MVPs in his career, the team around him fits very well and to be honest he would fit in at every time just being all round talented.

I think the Spurs can have a real run this season. 

New Orleans Pelicans 

I think what the Pelicans really need is a few rebuilding years, the team isn’t the best and could definitely get better, the disappointment of Zion in the last 5 years missing more games than playing has left the Franchise stuck between a metaphorical rock & hard place his offensive and Defensive threat is brilliant but cannot seem to stay fit for long enough.

However the most exciting player would be Trey Murphy III 21ppg on decent scoring efficiency provides a breath of fresh air, his defending is decent too so can hold it down on both ends of the floor, going into year 5 I think he could really develop his game and be the star player for this Pelicans team.

I don’t think that this team will be a contender but I think they can improve a lot and rebuild into a much better team.