by Derek Flack

Created on: July 03, 2007   Last Updated: August 27, 2009

The following players are guys you will want to keep your eye on in 2007-2008. Most of them won't have all star seasons, but they are capable of having very good seasons doing the things that their teams need. All of these guys are on playoff teams or teams who are close to making the postseason. How far their teams make it will depend on how well these players play next year. Here is an alphabetical list of some of next seasons impact players.

Jarrett Jack

Jack is the one guy on this list who may not be on a playoff team, but that is only because the Portland Trailblazers are in a loaded Western Conference. Jack was very lucky when the Trailblazers won the lottery and were able to draft the "Next Big Thing", center Greg Oden, with the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. He is also teamed in the backcourt with last season's rookie of the year Brandon Roy.

This means that Jack will have plenty of targets as he runs Nate McMillan's offense next season. Jack is also a good scorer himself, so expect things to pick up for the Blazers next year as Jack looks to lead the way for this young team.

Mike James

James will be in an intriguing situation next season when he suits up for his new team, the Houston Rockets. He was a very good player who was considered by some to be a future All Star after he had a breakout season with the Toronto Raptors a few years ago. Then he went to the Minnesota Timberwolves (who were in need of a point guard) and couldn't even crack the rotation.

I think a new environment will get this scoring guard back on track. He will probably come off the bench as a backup point and shooting guard, but he will have the opportunity to play major minutes under Rick Adleman. The thing the Rockets needed most this past season was scoring off the bench, and that's exactly what they'll get in James. James is more then capable of scoring more than fifteen points a game off the bench for the Rockets.

DJ Mbenga

This guy is very interesting, and it's not because of his cool name. Last summer at the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mbenga dominated games with tenacity on defense. He showed that he can block shots with ease while also being able to rebound and occasionally score down low.

He didn't get a chance last year because Desagana Diop and Eric Dampier were already there, and then he got injured. This summer Diop is a free agent, one whom Dallas may choose not to resign because he could demand a hefty price, if this happens look for

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