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Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA is always improving.

It's a matter of simple math. There are a finite number of roster spots and constant competition for them, which forces older, less skilled players out of the league at the hands of future standouts with more upside.

The product gets slightly better. Then rinse and repeat.

Some of the hopefuls pan out as low-level starters or career backups, while others enter the realm of stars. It's the latter group we're interested in, having picked out the young men who have the most potential for greatness based on a combination of offensive excellence and defensive prowess.

In order to qualify, players can't have celebrated their 26th birthday yet. They also can't have made an All-Star squad, nor can they be a legitimate threat to earn a berth during the 2015-16 campaign.

But rest assured. They'll get there.