A lot happens in the NBA in a span of a year. You have the second half of the season, a whole post-season, the NBA draft, free agency, summer leagues and then the tip-off to a whole new season. So many players are caught up in the whirlwind of the rise and fall of the league. However, there a a few names whose seem to ring louder than others, stimulating our interest whenever we hear them. Lets take a look at the five most intriguing players who will influence the NBA the most.Â
1. Anthony DavisÂ
Source: Sporting NewsÂ
For the past few months, there's be high speculation that Anthony Davis might not be long for New Orleans, and might have his sights set on Los Angeles after hiring Rich Paul, LeBron's agent and longtime friend. He sits six moths away from choosing whether or not to take his talents to La La Land or to make $239,5 million to continue playing for the Pelicans through 2025.Â
If Davis sings the super-max that New Orleans will most likely offer once free agency open on July 1, we'll spend the rest of 2019 wondering how the Pelicans will build the franchise's first title contender since Chris Paul. If he decides not to take the super-max, then we have a hot situation brewing, on likely to turn into a bidding war over the superstar who has all the capabilities of a big man and much more.Â
David is on the verge to become the first player to average 28 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in more than 40 years, joining Bob McAdoo and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to do so. Besides the Lakers, the Warriors, Celtics, Bucks and Knicks are all fighting for his services. 2019 free agency will be a must-see to find out where he might end up.Â
2. Kevin DurantÂ
Source: Sporting NewsÂ
For Kevin Durant, his destiny lies in two options: pick up his $31.5 million player option for 2019-20 to stay with the Golden State Warriors, or to opt out and instantly become the league's most attractive unrestricted free agent on the market yet. It would seem absurd for Durant to leave the Warriors after winning back-to-back titles and Final MVP trophies, yet nobody seems convinced that he'll stick around for much longer. If what matters to ost players is legacy, why willingly skip out a core as luminous as the one he's already got in the Bay?
Maybe it's because the core is losing a little bit of luster when Draymond Green is shooting 23.6 percent from 3 and letting his ego ruin crucial game-time decisions that's been costing the Warriors a few games. Or maybe Durant's ready for a new pursuit, to the be unquestioned no.1 star on his own team for the first time in his career.Â
He has proven himself that he's capable of doing it by averaging 34 points a game to keep Golden State afloat amid Stephen Curry's absence and the offensive struggles of Green and Klay Thompson. If Durant decides to leave Golden State, it would signal an end to the reigning dynasty, causing Golden State to create a new path foward in a completely different Western Conference. If he partner with another superstar, he could build a new colossus to tower over the league. Whichever way Durant goes, his decisions  will chance the stage of the game and perhaps the place he occupies in.Â
3. Kristaps PorzingisÂ
Source: NBA
The Knicks' disinterest in winning basketball games this season would suggest that they'd be well served to keep their 7-foot-3 cornerstone on thin ice until 2019-20 training camp as he recovers from a ligament tear in his left knee. But if the Knicks manage to land a top-flight free agent this off-season, you'll be wondering whether Porzingis is going to look like the 3-point bombing, shot-blocking machine that he was before he went down.Â
When Porzingis comes back, and how he plays when he does, could have a major impact on whether the Knicks' rebuild will kick into overdrive. If the return isn't positive, it could make for some tense decision making in free agency.Â
4. Zion WilliamsonÂ
Source: MLive
The freak of nature Duke freshman is the apple of every poor teams's eye. ad the avatar that every fa base is editing into their team
colors. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, his size pair with his freaky athleticism, Williamson slightly resembles LeBron James.Â
He's averaging 19.8 points on 65.2 percent shooting with 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 1,9 blocks for the Blue Devils, proving he's more than just a highlight-reel dunker. Williamson has proved that he's a rim protector who can run the fats break, a player-maker capable of threading the needle with bounce passes i transition and traffic, and a hard-driving hustler who plays with a hardcore energy.Â
Even playing on a load team featuring top prospects R.J Barrett and Cam Reddish, Williamson has separated himself to become the premier attraction in college basketball one a premier team. He;s in line to be the no.1 overall pick in June 2019's NBA Draft, and depending on where he lands could be a pivotal piece in many blockbuster trades. The way that Williamson has been playing, we'll be talking about all about 2019 as he's set to completely change the game.Â
5. Kemba WalkerÂ
Source: Def Pen
If there's one player who is turning the tables around this season, it would be Kemba Walker. He averaging 28.2 points, exploding with clutch performances like scoring 60 points against the 76ers, making him a lock-in for MVP. While his hot streak is quite entertaining, Charlotte has not put Walker in the best position to reach his full potential.
Charlotte is currently in 7th place in the East at 18-19. However, the Hornets have been a nightmare most of Walker's career. He only has two playoff appearances in his seven year tenure. The Hornets are 231-342 (.403) the seven years since drafting Walker, one of those years the worst in NBA history.
The Hornets have failed to give Kemba a supporting cast leading to victory. The roster is full of overpaid complimentary pieces and developing youngsters, not matched for elite contention. As elite as Walker is, he is only the sixth-highest paid player. Nicolas Batum makes over $24 million in the next 3 seasons; Bismack Biyombo make $17 million this season and Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller each more than Walker's $12 million. Still the fact that Walker has one year and just $12 remaining on his contract, Walker makes a genuine bargain to prospective teams. Charlotte's dilemna lies in whether they want to give Walker the max (which they owe it to him) or take a younger player who has the ability to quickly develop under a cheap salary.
As for Walker, the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers are all potential landing spots for the point-guard. Even though Walker has been vocal on being happy in Charlotte, he could be the fundamental piece to elevate many t