Just over half of those players survive their initial season in the league after many see demotions to the developmental league, where the maximum salary is just over $25,000 annually, or seek slightly more lucrative deals in European competition. 

The players who live to see their second year in the NBA are often evaluated under a different microscope, a microscope that no longer takes into account a transitional adjustment period or maturity issues that plague young players. 

With the NBA season quickly approaching the quarter mark, it’s time to take a look at the players who have taken the next step as second year stars or fallen behind as a second year slouch. 

Tyreke Evans entered the 2010-’11 season as one of the most highly touted second-year players looking to build an encore performance off of his jaw-dropping 20.1 PPG, 5.8 ASG, and 5.3 RPG output. His rookie season placed him among Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James as the only first year players to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per contest. 

Perhaps daunting expectations have thrown a wet towel on what was expected to be an even more brilliant statistical season for Evans, but instead the 6’5’’ combo guard has taken a step backward. Thus far his 17.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 5.4 ASG have sunk his Sacramento Kings to the basement of the Pacific division just ahead of the league’s worst Los Angeles Clippers. 

Compounding Evans’ regression has been his dismal 18.5 three-point percentage which places him among the league’s worst of shooters who attempt two or more 3 pointers per game. The Kings are still feeling out a new offense that lacks a secondary scoring threat so don’t expect the Kings to impress until General Manager Wayne Cooper adds another piece to this team. A strong December from Evans would quickly dispel any thoughts of a drop-off from the young guard. 

Ahead of Evans on the draft board was the second selection in 2009 in former Connecticut standout Hasheem Thabeet. The 7’3’’ Tanzanian dominated the college ranks and collected every defensive accolade imaginable but his prowess hasn’t translated to the professional ranks. 

Thabeet will turn 24 this February and despite the comparisons to former all-star center Dikembe Mutombo, Hasheem hasn’t been able to replicate Mutumbo’s block shot totals or show any inclination as an effective rebounder (21 total rebounds this season). To Thabeet’s credit, he’s been blocked in the Grizzlies’ rotation by Marc Gasol who continues to prove himself as Memphis’ featured center.

It appears that a change of scenery might help to guide Thabeet’s career back on course but the Grizzlies have been steadfast in their commitment to develop the young big man slowly behind Gasol. With Memphis struggling to stay afloat with a 8-10 record, the team may listen to offers before the trading deadline for Marc Gasol which would then open the door for Thabeet to gain some on-the-job experience. 

While Thabeet’s professional career has struggled to take flight, Philadelphia’s Jrue Holiday has embraced his role as the 76ers newest point guard. The former UCLA Bruin was lauded with the tall task of orchestrating a dismal Philadelphia team at the raw age of 19. Rather than fold under the Liberty City pressure cooker, Holiday has exploded with an elite level 7.6 ASG. 

With the responsibilities as point guard, Holiday has also accepted a heavy workload which place him among the 76ers leaders in minutes played with over 35 per contest.  The 76ers won’t look to contest this season but it wouldn’t be a surprise for head coach Doug Collins to hand even more responsibility to the young Holiday. 

On the opposite coast, Golden State’s Stephen Curry has lived up to the billing as the bay area’s newest star despite facing a crunch for offensive possessions playing alongside Monta Ellis. Curry’s minutes have taken a slight dip when compared to last season but his scoring output is up (20.8 PPG), his FG percentage has increased (48%), and he’s shooting nearly 90 percent from the charity stripe. 

The return of forward David Lee will only help Curry’s peripherals by giving the Warriors an interior threat and thus providing Golden State’s perimeter players with more open perimeter looks. 

The departure of Chris Bosh was supposed to mean that young DeMar DeRozan would take the necessary step towards the Toronto Raptors’ next star. 

DeRozan’s sophomore season hasn’t gone quite as head coach Jay Triano may have expected. The former USC Trojan has posted only three games of twenty points or more despite being given over 30 minutes of nightly playing time. 

Part of DeRozan’s slow development has been due in part to his inability to develop any sense of jump shot. The 21-year-old has shot a dismal 11 percent from three-point range and his glaring incapacity to rebound hasn’t given much hope to Toronto fans. 

The recent acquisition of young Jerryd Bayless may be a signal from the Raptors’ brass of the discontent over DeRozan’s growth. It will be an interesting winter to see whether he takes the next step forward towards his accession as a potential star or remains static as a mere role player. 

A few eyebrows were raised when Chase Budinger left a promising Arizona Wildcats team and thus forfeiting his amateur status. The Houston Rockets were the beneficiary of Budinger’s slide down the draft ladder before falling to Houston as the 44th overall draft choice. 

Budinger has gained the confidence he needs to climb Houston’s depth chart as he is now one of the team’s most promising young players. Most recently in a game against the Bobcats, Budinger posted 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists while also converted on three 3pt attempts. The Rockets slow start has given Chase a long look as just one of their cadre of capable offensive treats but Budinger, like the rest of the NBA sophomore, still has a lot of growing to do.