NBA West Future Stars

The future of the NBA Western Conference is in the hands of numerous young players who all hope to develop into superstars. Part of the intrigue of the NBA rests with these rising stars, as fans watch them grow while speculating what they might accomplish throughout their careers. There is obviously no way to predict future NBA Draft successes or major free agent signs in the next few seasons. However, looking at these youngsters can help to offer insight to the future of a given NBA team.

Here's a glimpse into the future of each NBA team in the Western Conference:

Dallas Mavericks

Josh Howard and Devin Harris are the two names one hears about in discussions about the Mavericks' future. Yet, while Harris is only 24 years old, Howard is already 27. He should only get better in the next few seasons, as he was the Mavs' best player in the 2007 playoffs, but he will also be hitting thirty in that time. Harris still needs to be more consistent and improve his outside shooting, but it does look like he's going to be a very good player at his best. Harris averaged 10.2 points per game and 3.7 assists per game in 26 minutes a night last season. Project that to starter minutes (or about 35 minutes a night) and you have a stat line of about 13.7 points per game and 5.0 assists per game. Now, consider that as he matures he'll get more responsibility in running the offense and won't have to defer as much to backcourt teammate Jason Terry. At his peak, expect Harris to be a 16-18 point per game scorer to go along with 6-7 assists per game, provided he's in a situation where he has the freedom to produce. Otherwise, as of right now, the Mavs don't have a whole lot of youth.

Denver Nuggets

Considering that Carmelo Anthony is only 23 years old and averaged 28.9 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game last season, the Nuggets appear to have a bright future. "Melo" still needs to become more than just a scorer. His 3.8 assists per game comes with a high volume of turnovers (3.6 per game) and some think he could be a better rebounder than 6.0 a game. Also, he is frequently criticized for his lack of defense. Still, Anthony is an incredible scorer who should only get better as he continues to mature. Other future stars to keep an eye on are 24-year-old Nene and 21-year-old J.R. Smith. The big Brazilian center, Nene, has shown flashes of brilliance when he's been able to stay healthy. At 6-11 270lbs, he has excellent coordination and quickness on the low block and should anchor the Nuggets in the post for a long time. He averaged 12.2 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game and 0.9 blocks per game in about 27 minutes a night last season. If given starter minutes (35 a night), that projects to about 15.8 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game and 1.2 blocks per game. Now factor in more responsibility and touches and you get a peak stat line of about 17-18 points per game with around 10 boards per game and 1.5-2 blocks per game. J.R. Smith averaged 13.0 points per game in 23 minutes a night. In 35 minutes a game, that projects to 19.8 points per game. However, keep in mind that much of his offense comes from open looks created by Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. If Iverson were to retire, Smith probably doesn't create as much open shots for himself to score as many points and probably wouldn't average so many points per game. However, these prospects combined with large contracts that will eventually expire, the Nuggets should have a lot of wiggle room to do great things in the future.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have plenty of fire for the future, with Monta Ellis (21), Andris Biedrins (21), Kelenna Azubuike (23), Marco Belinelli (21) and Brandan Wright (19). Ellis was the 2007 NBA Most Improved Player and should get more responsibility with Jason Richardson gone. Biedrins had a break out season averaging 9.6 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game. Belinelli really impressed in summer league action and some say Wright, though raw, could be the top athlete in the 2007 NBA Draft. The big question is whether or not these players can still produce outside of Don Nelson's offensive-friendly system.

Houston Rockets

Though the Rockets don't have too many young prospects to get overly excited about, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are both still under thirty and rookie point guard Aaron Brooks looked very good in summer league. In fact, expect Brooks to eventually take over as the team's starting point guard in the next couple of seasons.

Los Angeles Clippers

Elton Brand and Corey Maggette are still under thirty, which will help in the next two to three years. Point guard Shaun Livingston who had been a highly coveted free agent, is out for a year with a serious injury. The Clippers hope he can make a full recovery from that. Otherwise, center Chris Kaman is only 25 and rookie Al Thornton is just 23. Thornton was impressive during summer league play and should be able to step in right away and contribute. Also, he has the freakish athleticism and work ethic to be something special in the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers

Most have given up on the former number one pick, Kwame Brown, ever being anything great in the NBA. In six seasons, he's managed a career average of only 7.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. Last season, he mustered just 8.4 points per game and hasn't shown signs of improving. On the other hand, center Andrew Bynum (19) showed flashes of brilliance last season averaging 7.8 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game and 1.6 blocks per game in 22 minutes. The Lakers hope he can continue to improve. The Lakers are also expecting big things from rookie Javaris Crittenton after they were a bit disappointed by the development of last year's rookie point guard, Jordan Farmar. Other names to watch out for are forward Ronny Turiaf (24), who averaged 5.3 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game in 15 minutes a night last season, and guard Coby Karl, who was impressive in summer league action.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are loaded with young talent. Gasol is still under thirty and Rudy Gay (21) has star talent. Tarence Kinsey (23) showed great improvement last season, averaging 7.7 points per game in 20 minutes a night, which projects to about 13.5 points per game if he played 35 minutes a night. Memphis also added 22-year-old Darko Milicic, 19-year-old Mike Conley Jr. and Spain's star and Pau Gasol's best friend Juan Carlos Navarro. On top of that, they still have Hakim Warrick (25) and Kyle Lowry (21). That's a potentially scary lineup in three or so years.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves got a whole lot younger with the Kevin Garnett trade. Al Jefferson (22) had a breakout year last season with Boston averaging 16.0 points per game, 11.0 rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks per game. Granted, he'll face tougher forwards more often in the West, but his potential is still through the roof. Along with Jefferson, the Wolves will look to develop guards Randy Foye (23) and Corey Brewer (21), who both could have excellent NBA careers. If given starter minutes (35 a night), Foye's 10.2 point per game, 2.8 assist per game in about 23 minutes a night average becomes 15.5 points per game and 4.3 assists per game. Factoring improvements to his game that will likely come with additional development, Foye could easily be a 20 plus per game scorer and an offensive leader for this team. Brewer is the versatile, defensive-minded wing the Wolves need and should fit in nicely with Foye and Jefferson. Other rising stars to consider are Ryan Gomes (24), Gerald Green (21), Rashard McCants (22), Craig Smith (23), Chris Richard 22) and Sebastian Telfair (22).

New Orleans Hornets

Tyson Chandler (24) had a great season averaging 9.5 points per game, 12.4 rebounds per game and 1.8 blocks per game. He could have more seasons like that if he continues to stay healthy. Otherwise, the Hornets are really led by their young point guard, Chris Paul, who's only 22 years old. Paul is already considered one of the league's top point guards and in the next three to five years could get even better. The Hornets have collected numerous other young prospects who have the potential to become solid NBA players, including Hilton Armstrong, Cedric Simmons and Julian Wright.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns future is in the hands of star forward Amare Stoudemire (24). However, there are questions as to whether or not Stoudemire can be as effective when Steve Nash retires. Helping him out will be guard Leandro Barbosa (24), Boris Diaw (25) and rookies Alando Tucker (23) and D.J. Strawberry (22), who both showed excellent promise in summer league games.

Portland Trail Blazers

Many see Greg Oden (19) as the center of the future and pairing him with 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy (23) can't be a bad thing at all. Add to that duo young up-and-comers like LaMarcus Aldridge (22), Channing Frye (24), Jarrett Jack (23), Martell Webster (20), Taurean Green (21), as well as international prospects Rudy Fernandez (22), Petteri Koponen (19) and Sergio Rodriguez (21) and you have one of the most promising young squads in the league. Many predict that the Blazers will sneak into the playoffs in 2007-2008, but with so much inexperience and not much scoring it's hard to consider them a legitimate playoff contender. Still, the future's wide open for this team.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings are finally started to compile young talent. Guard Kevin Martin (24) had a breakout season last year, averaging 20.2 points per game. With Martin, Spencer Hawes (19), Quincy Douby (23), Francisco Garcia (25) and Justin Williams (23), the Kings have a nice pool of talent to develop for the future.

San Antonio Spurs

Tony Parker is going to have a lot put on his shoulders when Tim Duncan (31) and Manu Ginobili (30)retire. At just 25 years old, Parker has already proven himself as a top-flight point guard in the league. Otherwise, the Spurs are loaded with veterans and not so many young prospects. Naturally, as cap space clears in the next three to five seasons with players retiring, they can certainly go after younger players as needed. Right now, they've been incredibly successful with the veteran-laden lineup they have. Rookie Tiago Splitter, who might not even play next season, might be their best young prospect.

Seattle Supersonics

The Sonics are starting over after trading its two best players in Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Most believe the Sonics will be in Oklahoma City in the next couple seasons. Either way, they have plenty of young talent to develop. Kevin Durant (18) is thought to be the league's next big superstar, combining the skill set of Kevin Garnett with Tracy McGrady and factoring in Andrei Kirilenko's length. Also, rookie Jeff Green (21) promises to be a solid player. Watch out for center Robert Swift (22). Before he missed a year to injury, he was looking very impressive. Moreover, he apparently gained a lot of muscle (he's rumored to weigh around 280lbs!) and has been working hard to improve. Plus, he's no fish. Swift has great skill on the low block, is fearless and aggressive and has all the makings of a solid NBA center. Other youngsters to watch for on this team include Mickael Gelebale (24), Chris Wilcox (24) and Delonte West (24).

Utah Jazz

Deron Williams is right up there with Chris Paul as one of the top point guards of the future. At 23 years old, Williams averaged 16.2 points per game and 9.3 assists per game last season. Now consider that Carlos Boozer is only 25 years old and one might see why Utah has a recipe for future success. If that weren't enough, the Jazz can also boast of having young up-and-comers like Morris Almond (22), Ronnie Brewer (22) and Paul Millsap (22). Plus, Andrei Kirilenko is only 26 years old.

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