Tough Luck for the 2007 Draft Class

 The 2007 draft class was not a particularly spectacular one. The only name that truly sticks out is Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, who is quickly becoming one of the best players in the league. But that doesn't warrant only two players from this draft class receiving contract extensions - Durant and Chicago center Joakim Noah. Well, unless general managers have no idea as to how much money they'll have at their disposal when the next season rolls around because of the unknown specifics of the collective bargaining agreement. This fact provides fans to see the best basketball from the 07 Draft Class not named Durant or Noah, since they will all be on their contract years, meaning they'll play at their highest potential to make themselves marketable when they hit the free agent market next summer. However, these young players - who probably have no money saved up from their rookie year contracts because of amateur spending and poor investing - are scared shitless because as of now, they will have no cash inflow into their debt-ridden bank accounts starting next year and may be looking at unemployment if things in the collective bargaining agreement don't work out between the league and its players.

General managers have until November 1 (5 days from today) to lock up their 07 draftees. If they decide not to, then all of them will be on the unrestricted free agent market next year, meaning any team can snag the free agent's talents for a lot less money if influential marketing strategies are utilized. And when I say "influential marketing strategies", I mean what Pat Riley did this summer to secure Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh to the Miami Heat for a lot less money than other teams were offering. Aaron Philips of NBA Dime has already pointed out certain players who will probably be receiving contract extensions in the next six days or will be hitting the unrestricted free agent market next summer and will get the most bang for their buck - meaning they'll be receiving the amount of money that their talents deserve. The following is my list of players that have not yet proven much and need to this season to prove to their respective organizations and other NBA teams, who may be their potential suitors next summer, that their talents warrant a contract extension or offer:

1). Rodney Stuckey: Detroit Pistons general manager, Joe Dumars took quite a leap of faith two years ago by thinking that young point guard Rodney Stuckey would be a serviceable replacement for veteran and 2004 Finals MVP, Chauncey Billups. As of now, Dumars failed miserably. He should have never thought that. Billups was everything you needed in a point guard - pass first mentality, three point reliable, and lockdown defense. Stuckey's perimeter defense is the only asset of his that shines, as his shoot-first mentality (at a very low efficiency rate I should add) and horrendous three-point percentage (23%) have been widely exposed since his takeover of Detroit's starting point guard spot.

2). Nick Young: My fellow Trojan doesn't have a very bright future ahead of him in Washington. He should have taken full advantage last season with the guard vacancy left open by Gilbert Arenas' absence, but he didn't. He shot from the field at a very low percentage (41%) and only averaged 8 points a game. And the organization has already looked past Young as a key role in Washington's future, as they significantly improved their backcourt with number one draft pick in John Wall and the addition of ex-Bull, Kirk Hinrich. And with Arenas back as well, Young finds himself battling for minutes behind three legitimate guards. Next season, Young's minutes will decline the most its ever in his career, and somehow he needs to find a way to create his best season.

3). Mike Conley Jr.: Conley's been Memphis' starting point guard since his arrival to the NBA, and he hasn't provided much. He should be a much better on-ball defender given his lightning speed and quickness. And in my opinion, his passing and scoring have not been very impressive at all. But since his defense, scoring, and passing were solid at Ohio State University and he had so much potential coming in as a rookie, Memphis has stayed patient. This is Conley's last season to prove something, or he'll probably be shipped to another team for a lot less money, as Memphis will take its chances on a veteran point guard to run the show or recent pickup, Texas A&M star Acie Law (who was also in the 2007 draft).

4). Greg Oden: It's surprising to see the #1 pick be on this list, but if you're as unlucky as Oden to be riddled with injuries, then there is no escaping it. Since being drafted in 2007, he's only played a single season's worth of games (82), while his other draft mates have played three season's worth (246). Portland's patience with Oden is getting thinner and thinner; the defensive anchor that they thought they drafted is sadly turning into a injury-prone bust. If Oden doesn't turn some heads in Portland, he's on his way out, and for a lot less than what many would have prospected in 2007.

Larger than life expectations and unfortunate circumstances have placed these four players in their current state. This next season will ultimately decide the next five to seven years of their careers. I can safely say that they won't take this lightly. Let the "biggest shocks of the NBA season" begin.

- Leather Head