5. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks

Season stats: 9.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.1 apg Draft pick: No. 12

Lively is one of the keys to the Mavericks’ 6-1 start and, at 7-foot-1, arguably the biggest. He has developed on-court chemistry with Irving and Luka Doncic, has attacked the offensive glass and is the rim protector in Dallas’ enhanced defense. Former Mavs center Tyson Chandler, working with the team’s big men recently, had the highest praise for Lively: “He reminds me of myself.”