10 of 10

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Age: 21

Per-Game Stats: 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.9 blocks

Advanced Metrics: 18.5 PER, 2.85 RPM, 136.35 TPA

Putting anyone ahead of Jokic is a risky endeavor. Even Ben Simmons may never reach the level at which the Denver Nuggets center operates. But that's true of anyone still trying to realize potential, and the chances Simmons will become a transcendent force are so much higher than the possibility he'll stagnate or—gasp—backslide.

The 21-year-old point guard is already a game-breaking talent capable of leveraging his unique combination of size (6'10", 230 lbs) and skill on both ends of the floor. He can get to the rim seemingly at will and finish with ease, all the while keeping his head on a swivel and hitting teammates right in the shooting pocket with his pinpoint, high-velocity passes.

Meanwhile, he has plenty of defensive impact, using his hands and long arms to shut down passing lanes while switching on just about every screen.

He's doing all this as a rookie who's still learning the nuances of NBA play. He's also finding such success without even the tiniest hint of a reliable jumper. Simmons is 0-of-10 on his three-point attempts this year, and all 10 have been heaves within the last second of a quarter (only one of which has come inside 30 feet).

Should his jumper never come around, the LSU product will still be a yearly All-Star capable of tipping the scales in the Philadelphia 76ers' favor. But if he develops an outside stroke, he'll be in the MVP conversation for a long time.

That dizzying upside and the extra two years in the battle against Father Time gives him the slight edge over the fellow 6'10" up-and-coming star checking in at No. 2 in our countdown.

Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @fromal09.

Unless otherwise indicated, all stats from Basketball Reference, NBA.com, NBA Math or ESPN.com and are current through the All-Star break.