Trae Young
Trae Young entered the NBA in 2018, showing off his remarkable three-point shooting ability. He was regarded as the successor to Stephen Curry. His stats were also dazzling, averaging 20+8 for his career, which is a top-level point guard standard. But sadly, Trae Young is more than just offense. His defense is horrible, his leadership is dubious, and his team is struggling to make the playoffs. He is now widely considered as a stat-filler, and becoming a superstar seems unlikely.
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton was a beast in college, excelling on both ends of the floor. He had a muscular body that looked fearsome. But it turned out that he was only good at looking fearsome, not playing fearsome. His style of play is soft and gentle. The Suns tried to nurture him, but he failed to match the expectations. His offense relies mostly on jump shots, his defense is timid and shies away from contact, and his motivation is low. He was supposed to be a top-tier center, but he ended up being a role player. His value has fallen because of his poor performance.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was the best power forward in the NBA in 2020, dominating on both ends of the floor. He did not need the ball much, but he was very efficient. He also had a deadly mid-range shot that year, and he was vital in helping the Lakers win the championship. We thought that was the beginning of his peak, but it turned out to be the end. After winning the title, Anthony Davis became lazy and indifferent. He stopped working out and gained weight. His offense became dependent on assists, his shooting disappeared, his ball-handling deteriorated, and his clutchness vanished. He seems to have lost his hunger and passion for the game.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons was a phenomenon in his rookie year in 2017, displaying his all-around skills. He was dubbed as the next LeBron James. He averaged near triple-doubles for his first three seasons, and we thought he would keep improving. But we were wrong. He stagnated after his third season, and then regressed due to injuries and poor attitude. His stats declined, his game became stale, and his confidence broke. He is now only good at defense and passing, but he is a burden on offense. He might not even play in the league after the 2025 season.
Zion Williamson