Every season NBA players are expected to prove they belong. Those players in contract years have even more to prove as their performances will impact the negotiations that will follow when they become free agents. We took a look a crop of star players that will be in the spotlight with more chance to prove what they can do before they become free agents next summer. Here is a look at the NBA players with the most to prove in 2017-18.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid looked like a generational talent in 31 games for Philadelphia last season. It’s no surprise that a lot of people are picking the 76ers to make the playoffs this season with a healthy Embiid leading the way. However, it’s impossible to forecast whether or not Embiid will be able to stay healthy over the course of a full 82-game season. He has missed all but 31 games since he was drafted in 2014 so the odds are against him making it through the full year. Embiid has the talent to be a franchise player. It won’t matter if he can’t stay healthy.
Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
Embiid isn’t the only member of the 2014 NBA Draft class with something to prove this coming season. Wiggins has stayed healthy but he will need to take another step in his development in order to prove he deserves the $150 million over five years that owner Glen Taylor has said he will pay him. Wiggins averaged 23.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season. However, he struggled with his consistency and shot just 35-percent from beyond the arc. Wiggins will need to show he can be a more complete player in order to prove he deserves a max contract. With the addition of Jimmy Butler the Timberwolves have the talent to contend for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Whether or not they reach their potential could depend on Wiggins taking that next step this season.
DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans
Cousins has produced the type of numbers that will earn him a max contract next summer. He has the physical tools and skill set to remain one of the NBA’s top big men for years to come so as long as he stays healthy he is going to get paid. However, Cousins still has something to prove playing with Anthony Davis in New Orleans. For all of his talent, Cousins has never appeared in an NBA playoff game. He will look to change that this year with the Pelicans. It will be very interesting to see if he can raise his free agent stock even higher with a strong season in New Orleans.
Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
Thomas told reporters this offseason that he is very confident he will earn a max contract next summer. After a season in which he averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists it is hard to argue against his logic. Thomas has put up excellent numbers in Boston while leading them to the postseason as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics opted not to draft Markelle Fultz so there is a good chance they want to bring back Thomas on a long-term deal. Thomas will have one more opportunity to raise his free agent stock this season. He has a lot to prove for a Boston side that wants to contend for a title in 2017-18.
Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz
It’s easy to forget that Favours is only 26. He’s heading in to his eighth NBA season and a combination of back and knee injuries have forced him to miss significant time. Favors averaged 16.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over 62 games in 2015-16 so it’s clear he can produce if he can stay on the floor. Injuries hurt his stock last year but if he can bounce back and stay healthy he could earn a decent payday. After struggling with nagging injuries over the past couple of years, Favors has a lot to prove heading in to this season.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
