As the NBA inches toward the 2021-22 season, second-year players look to get their first full season under their belts.
The league hopes to resume a full 82-game schedule after seeing the last two seasons cut short by COVID.
And considering the 2020 NBA Draft featured a number of high-flying talents, getting to see those players grow after a condensed rookie campaign will be a lot of fun for NBA fans.
Second-year talents tend to take a step forward during their sophomore seasons in the league.
Ja Morant built on his brilliant Rookie of the Year campaign by leading the Memphis Grizzlies to the postseason.
Now, the 2020 draft class gets their second opportunity to shine.
Here’s a look at two second-year players poised to take big steps forward in their careers.
2. James Wiseman
Entering the 2020 NBA Draft, James Wiseman sat atop most draft boards.
Although the 7-foot center slipped to the No. 2 overall selection, Wiseman might have the highest upside of any player from his draft class.
Only one rookie in the league had 80+ dunks last season:
James Wiseman #NBADunkWeek pic.twitter.com/mXIdDs1rFt
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 26, 2021
But after just 39 games last year, Wiseman’s season ended after a season-ending torn meniscus injury.
Wiseman started 27 games last season and played 21.4 minutes per contest.
He averaged 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game, shooting 51.9 percent from the field.
Earlier this summer, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr noted Wiseman remained right on track for his return next season.
Although a relatively small sample size, Wiseman looked good during his rookie season.
He sports all the physical tools needed to complete at a high level and showed he moved well without the ball.
Playing without the ball is critical in Golden State, considering the Warriors have Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as their top playmakers.
And with Klay Thompson set to return this season as well, most of the focus for opposing defenses will be elsewhere, freeing up Wiseman to work inside.
Wiseman played solid interior defense last season and flashed reliable touch around the rim.
If fully healthy, he should thrive in year two.
1. Théo Maledon
Théo Maledon was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (No. 34 pick) of the 2020 NBA Draft.
But one month after the draft, Maledon landed in Oklahoma City after the 76ers shipped him, along with Al Horford, Vasilije Micić, and a 2025 first-round draft pick to the Thunder in exchange for Terrance Ferguson, Danny Green, and Vincent Poirier.
From there, Maledon surprised many becoming a staple in the Thunder lineup, including starting 49 of the 65 games he played.
Despite being selected No. 34 overall, Maledon finished the season with the fifth-most minutes played (1778) from the draft class.
He finished the year averaging 10.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game on 36.8 percent shooting and 33.5 percent from three.
But as he worked his way into the rotation in the second half of the season, Maledon became a fixture in the lineup beside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Maledon earned his way into a spot in the Rising Stars game during last year’s All-Star festivities, then improved from there.
Earning his 1st Rising Stars selection for the World Team… Theo Maledon of the @okcthunder! Maledon was drafted as the 34th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of LNB Pro A in France (originally from France). pic.twitter.com/L7wt3aVQ76
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) March 3, 2021
After last season’s All-Star break, Maledon played more minutes (28.9), scored more points (12.3) and dished out more assists (3.7) per game.
He led the Thunder last season in minutes played and looks to assume more of a leadership role in his second season.
Maledon is an elite passer, solid shooter, and good defender, and pairs well with Gilgeous-Alexander.
He should be a fixture in the Thunder’s backcourt rotation that will include Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort.
Maledon can also help mentor rookies Josh Giddey and Tre Mann.
NEXT: 3 NBA Veteran Guards Getting A Fresh Start This Season