Which Young NBA Star Would You Start Your Franchise With?

With the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs now underway, one thing we know for sure is that the future of the league is very bright, thanks, in part, to a few players. This begs the question: Which young NBA star would you want to start your team with?

Now, of course, this is a hypothetical. There are rumors that Seattle may be awarded a new franchise and expansion team in the future, but obviously they don't just get to pick any star player to be the centerpiece of the team. Nonetheless, with some of the performances we've seen from players like New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, the question posed here is a tough one.

Let's examine a few different factors. We'll start with the unanimous rookie of the year.

"In 71 games this season, Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game," ESPN explained. The last person to hit those numbers was NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, who did that in 1999. "Wemby" is seven-foot-four and was arguably the most intriguing draft prospect last year since LeBron James came out of high school. His size and global recognition are certainly unique, but what makes his game special is how diverse his skillset is. He's incredibly athletic and smooth with the basketball. And the fans love him: his #1 jersey was in the top five of best sellers, which is another angle to consider when picking your team. Wemby is just twenty years old.

By now, we've seen the thunderous slam dunks from Edwards. Those above-the-rim jams where it appears he is at eye-level with the rim. However, Edwards' best play of the season was a defensive play when he blocked a last-second shot vs. the Indiana Pacers. Edwards' game is filled with intensity. He thrives in big games and has no problem attacking his prey, even if that includes his favorite player growing up, Kevin Durant. Edwards is leading his Wolves team this postseason, having the defending champion Denver Nuggets on the ropes. Edwards is 22-years-old.

When you watch these playoff games at Madison Square Garden, a few things from the fans stand out. The first is simply the incredible volume of the crowd all game long. The second is when they chant "M.V.P." when Brunson has the ball. The fearless leader of the Knicks has carried the team on his back all year. They were often counted out due to amassing so many injuries. However, Brunson has excelled as the underdog, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot. He has scored over 40 points in the last four playoff games in a row, after averaging just under 28 points per game during the regular season. He has become beloved in New York and is largely responsible for the team becoming a contender again. Brunson is the senior citizen of the group at 27-years-old.

What I love about this question is that all three players have totally different styles of play. Each of them has the ability to sell out the arena each night for years to come. What has sold me, however, is Anthony Edwards being compared to Michael Jordan. So many athletes, in general, get measured up against MJ. Most times it's an irrational comparison, but this one I can actually see. Edwards' "prime" years are still ahead of him. He's also the leader of a smaller market franchise that has not won much lately, nor have they ever made it to the finals. If Edwards continues this trajectory, that will certainly change, and those #5 Wolves jerseys will be just as hot as tickets to his games.

Which cities should be considered for an NBA expansion team? There's always rumors that the National Basketball Association is looking to expand, but where should it go?

We decided to play NBA Commissioner and identified 5 cities that should be considered. What cities do you think would be good options? Let's dive in.

It seems like every year media and executives start talking about cities that could and should be considered for an NBA expansion team. Actually, it happens in every sport. Recently, I saw Atlanta is trying to get a hockey team again. Third time's the charm, right? Baseball and football also seem to have these conversations. However, with football recently moving two teams to Los Angeles and one to Las Vegas, they probably won't be making any moves any time soon.

However, there's a real chance we could see an expansion team in the NBA soon. It's constantly discussed and there are some major markets that could really use a professional basketball team. So, what factors should go into a city getting an NBA team? Well, they need a passionate fanbase. That's first and foremost. It doesn't have to be the biggest or most populated city, you just need people who will show up and fill the stadium. Recently, we saw Oklahoma City be a successful expansion city. You'd never expect that to work but it's been a massive success in the area. It shows the model works.

Next, you need to consider proximity. New York City does not need another team. They already have the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets. In fact, there are several teams in close proximity to New York City. Cities like Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia have teams that are a close drive or train away. Is there any area in the country without a team? That's something to consider.

So, here's what I came up with as the Interim NBA Commissioner. What city do you think should be considered for an NBA expansion team? Let us know! Check out the list below!

There is a real chance that this happens sooner than you'd think. Las Vegas has been discussed as a landing site for an NBA team for a while. They've hosted Summer Leagues in Las Vegas that have had some success. They've also recently brought an NFL team to the city and a few years ago introduced an NHL team. The Vegas Golden Knights have been a huge success story and their games are a one-of-a-kind experience that you can only get in Vegas. Yes, a Las Vegas NBA team will absolutely work. Will LeBron be the owner?

Sure, Florida already has the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic, but what about a team on the state's West Coast? The Gulf needs a team, too! Tampa is already a proven market for the NFL and it has an MLB team, too! Yes, there are some issues with baseball, but that's not basketball's issue! If hockey can be successful in Tampa then so can basketball! Tampa is a big market that loves sports. Don't forget they hosted the Toronto Raptors when travel was limited. So, it's been shown that it can work before. I can see this happening one day.

Kansas City is fresh off back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Do they need another team in the city? No, they're probably set with having an NFL dynasty and a baseball team, too. However, it would absolutely make sense for an NBA team to come to Kansas City. Clearly, they love their sports there. That has been proven.  I know they had a team before and it relocated to Sacramento. However, it's time to reconsider bringing a team back. Additionally, it makes sense geographically. There's not a team out that way and it could be a big draw. People could come from St. Louis and out west. It makes sense to me!

Nashville is a fun city. It has a huge draw and there's so much to do. However, you can always add more to the city. The city already has an NFL team and an NHL team. Neither seems to have problems bringing people in for the games. This would be an exciting addition to a city that's already buzzing. Just like Kansas City, it also makes sense geographically. Louisville is a big college basketball town and is nearby. Sure, you have Memphis in-state. However, that's a totally different vibe. Nashville should be considered for an NBA expansion team.

Bring back the SuperSonics! It simply needs to happen. The city was devastated when the team moved to Oklahoma City. Seattle deserves a team. I'm not just saying that because their jerseys were the coolest in the league. The entire league would love to see this happen. Next to Vegas it's probably the most likely to happen. That would be awesome.