8 Young Prospects Who Must Turn Potential into NBA Production Next Season

It takes some NBA prospects longer to develop than others, but eventually, teams must see results. 

We picked out a handful of former first-round picks who need to take that next step in a potential make-or-break season. 

Only those who've played three or fewer years were considered. Some have been held back by limited minutes and now have fresh starts on other teams. But all of them have struggled adjusting to the size, speed and athleticism of the NBA game.

For the following young players, another down season could really damage their stock and value around the league. 

Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets, PF

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This needs to be a big year for Cody Zeller, the No. 4 pick in 2013 who's averaged fewer than eight points and six rebounds in each of his first two seasons. 

A third campaign without results could severely damage Zeller's NBA stock. The addition of rookie Frank Kaminsky only adds to the pressure. 

On Tuesday, Grantland's Zach Lowe reported the Hornets have been "willing to discuss Zeller in trade talks with several teams." Quite frankly, a trade may not be the worst thing for Zeller, but either way, his value across the league seems to be dropping by the month. 

Though athletic and skilled, Zeller has struggled with physicality down low, where he shot just 55 percent within five feet. And unfortunately, his jumper hasn't developed the way it appeared it would coming out of Indiana. He only hit 34.2 percent of his mid-range jumpers as a sophomore and just one three since being drafted.

If it doesn't work out in Charlotte, I'd imagine there will be general managers out there willing to give Zeller a shot. But his time and margin for error are running out. A lack of notable improvement in the 2015-16 season would squash most of the hope regarding a potential future breakout.

Alex Len, Phoenix Suns, C

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This was likely supposed to be the year Alex Len emerged as the Phoenix Suns' starting center, but his sophomore performance didn't quite suggest a major breakout was coming in 2015-16.

Now, he's stuck behind Tyson Chandler, who's signed through the 2018-19 season. And No. 5 overall picks aren't typically drafted for backup roles. 

In terms of his skill set and development, Len just hasn't expanded his game too far outside the paint. Last season, he only made 38 of 126 shots (30.2 percent) between five and 19 feet from the hoop.

Len becoming more reliable with his mid-range jumper would seem like the first step toward redemption. According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, the big man is attempting to go one step further, as "Len has been working on adding a three-point shot this summer, hitting 70 of 100 three-point shots on one practice day."

Either way, if Len doesn't significantly improve in 2014-15, he could have a tough time convincing the Suns—or any other team—to pay up when his rookie deal expires in two years' time.  

James Young, Boston Celtics, SG/SF

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James Young hasn't given fans or coaches much to get excited about since the Boston Celtics drafted him 17th overall in 2014. 

He averaged 3.4 points in 31 games as a rookie and struggled mightily this July in summer league, where he shot just 27.4 percent and 5-of-22 from three.

The problem for Young is that, outside of shot-making and slashing, he doesn't offer much else in terms of playmaking, passing or defending. He either has to become more accurate from outside or a bigger threat to create inside the arc.

With Evan Turner back, Jae Crowder on the rise and the additions of R.J. Hunter and Perry Jones, Young will really have to capitalize whenever he gets a chance. Otherwise, he could be in danger of riding the bench or spending another season stuck in the D-League. 

Anthony Bennett, Minnesota Timberwolves, PF

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Anthony Bennett could be facing a make-or-break year in terms of teams actually viewing him as an asset worth paying and playing. 

Bennett only averaged 5.2 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting in 2014-15. At this stage, he just doesn't do any one thing better than average, from scoring and shooting (30.4 percent from three, 30.8 percent in the mid-range) to defending. 

He needs to give the Minnesota Timberwolves a reason to play him more than 15.7 minutes per game. And with Karl-Anthony Towns now in the picture, as well as Kevin Garnett, Gorgui Dieng, Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad and Adreian Payne, Bennett won't have much margin for error. 

"There are so many things going on [in the NBA]," Bennett recently told Sportsnet's Michael Grange during the Pan Am Games. "But at the same time you have to push it aside and play your game."

A third straight disappointing season could ultimately destroy Bennett's stock around the league. He'll need it to start clicking in 2015-16 to receive more chances moving forward. 

Tyler Ennis, Milwaukee Bucks, PG

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Tyler Ennis wasn't able to show anything with the Phoenix Suns before they traded him to Milwaukee, where he played just 25 games and shot 35 percent. 

He now enters his second year buried on the Bucks' depth chart behind Michael Carter-Williams, Greivis Vasquez and perhaps even Jorge Gutierrez. 

Another trade would make sense for Ennis, who could be looking at a second straight season of limited reps and NBA experience. After all, it's never a good look to enter a third campaign without any production on one's resume. 

Ennis is a solid passer whose strengths lie within his ability to manage an offense and set the table. But he isn't a standout athlete, scorer or shooter, and it's possible teams have already started categorizing him as a backup point guard at best.

Unfortunately, Ennis won't have much time or many opportunities to change that perception. A recently torn labrum, per SNY.tv's Adam Zagoria, only sets him back further.

Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets, SG

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Playing behind stars and veterans on a contender in Oklahoma City, Jeremy Lamb always had an excuse for his slow start as a pro. But the free pass just expired when the Thunder traded him to the Charlotte Hornets.

If the new scenery and role can't help jump-start Lamb's career, coaches and general managers may start to lose faith in him as a prospective starting-caliber player. 

For a 2-guard that lacks playmaking ability, he just hasn't been accurate enough as a shot-maker. And shooting is supposed to be considered Lamb's bread and butter.

He shot 35.5 percent in the mid-range last season and hasn't hit the 36 percent mark from downtown in any of his three NBA seasons.

Lamb should get a chance to play this year on a team that finished last in the NBA in three-point percentage. Failing to capitalize would reflect poorly on his long-term stock.

Maurice Harkless, Portland Trail Blazers, SF

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The Orlando Magic already wrote off Maurice Harkless by trading him for a top-55-protected second-round pick. But Harkless deserves another shot, which he should get in Portland, where the Blazers don't exactly have any big-time forwards. 

Though a stud athlete for a 6'8" face-up player, Harkless hasn't been able to put it all together. 

After a promising sophomore year as a shooter (59 threes on 38.3 percent), the St. John's product's jumper looked like a mess last season, when he made just 10 of 56 attempts from deep. 

Harkless' most glaring weakness is his lack of in-between game. He's shown zero ability to create and make shots off the dribble. His minutes were limited, but Harkless didn't convert one field goal in the mid-range or a pull-up jumper all of last season.

Regular playing time should give him a better chance to build rhythm and make adjustments, but after three years of little to no progress, Harkless' time is running out.

Trey Burke, Utah Jazz, PG

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Trey Burke's NBA value is on the decline, and another down year could send it into a free fall. 

Having shot below 39 percent from the floor in each of his first two seasons, his inefficiency has been a killer.

A lack of burst and explosiveness have really held Burke back from getting separation or easy scoring chances inside. He shot a disastrous 46.6 percent within five feet of the rim in 2014-15. 

Burke's jumper hasn't been able to save him, either. He only made 1.6 of the 5.1 threes he took per game as a sophomore.

At 6'1" without overwhelming athleticism, playmaking ability—he's averaged 5.0 assists in 31.2 minutes through his first two seasons—or defensive potential, Burke's ceiling just isn't high enough to chase for much longer. And his leash won't be overly long in 2015-16, with Dante Exum's role expected to increase and Alec Burks back from injury. 

A third straight uninspiring season could really hurt his chances of receiving a significant raise in his second contract.

All statistics via NBA.com or Basketball-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted.