The Best Young Player from Every NBA Team in California
All four NBA teams in California made the playoffs in 2023, a feat never before seen in NBA history.
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Since the NBA has four teams in California, all with budding young talent, it’s interesting to see who the best young player is for all these teams heading into the 2024 season. The NBA teams in California are currently competing for championships, which may limit some of their young proteges from taking on larger roles (in most cases). The only guideline was that the best young player on each of these teams had to be younger than 25 years old, so even though Austin Reaves, De’Aaron Fox, and Terance Mann are the best “young” players on their respective teams right now, Reaves and Fox are 25 years old while Mann is 26 years old. Since Reaves, Fox, and Mann don't meet the age requirement, choosing each of these teams’ best young players became a little more difficult.
LA Lakers: Max Christie
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Incoming rookies Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis should develop into quality NBA players. However, since they haven’t played in an official NBA game yet, Max Christie gets the nod as the Lakers’ best young player under 25 years old. Despite playing limited minutes during the 2023 season, Christie shot over 40 percent from the three-point line and was a solid defender. Christie then carried that momentum into the 2023 summer league, where he showed an improved off-the-dribble game as a refined shot-creator and playmaker. His skill set as a three-and-D wing will be super valuable next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The departure of backup shooting guards Malik Beasley and Lonnie Walker IV should open up a spot for Christie in the Lakers’ rotation, so he has an opportunity for a breakout second season in 2024.
LA Clippers: Kenyon Martin Jr.
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It was tough to put Kenyon “KJ” Martin Jr. over Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, but Martin Jr. has a skillset that should fit really well next to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George this upcoming season. Hyland’s scoring and energy off the bench will no doubt be a boost, but Martin’s athleticism, size, and length make him an intriguing prospect going forward. Martin is already an elite finisher who can use his electric bounce to finish over the best-shot blockers in the NBA, and he’s a capable three-point shooter who has become a more confident scorer, despite the dip in his three-point percentage in 2023. Martin should get much better looks from the three-point line in 2024 with all the floor-spacing around him and his high ceiling as a player could garner him a significant role with the Clippers.
Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga
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Although Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Warriors looked relatively unclear after various trade rumors came up around the 2023 draft, he still has the highest ceiling out of any young player on the Golden State Warriors. Kuminga is still just 21 years old and is already a reliable perimeter defender and an improved three-point shooter. Moses Moody would be the other candidate for the best young player on the Warriors since he played over Kuminga in the 2023 playoffs, but Moody’s role has already been more defined as a three-and-D role player. On the other hand, Kuminga’s athleticism, perimeter defense, and developing skillset make his potential limitless as a possible cornerstone player for the Warriors down the road.
Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray
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The only other player that could be considered is Davion Mitchell, but since his role as a defensive-minded backup point guard is already established, Keegan Murray is probably the best young player on the Kings. He started nearly his entire rookie season and was a perfect fit next to De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Murray is already a terrific three-point shooter and a solid defender, two skills that should mold him into a potential all-star one day. He’s had some amazing moments in the summer league over the past few years, showcasing the player he could be when designated as the primary scoring option. Because Murray will likely be the starting forward in Sacramento for years to come, he’s got the opportunity to be an elite NBA wing.
