NBA 22 Under 22: Which Young Prospects Are Showing Most Potential? | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The concept of "connectors" has become a cliche, an abstract evaluation thrown around almost cavalierly, often as a shorthand for "Dude who isn't a star and probably won't ever be a star, but I like him and he seems to play smart."

Brandin Podziemski typifies every possible version of "connector." But his designation is not a cliche. It's just accurate.

His impact is wide-ranging and balanced, embodying the kind of stylistic archetype that demands you watch him on every possession, at both ends of the floor, whether he's on or off the ball. It feels like he never stops moving, and he often doesn't.

The way he pinballs around on offense, reading and reacting to those around him, is an event unto itself. His passes can be too daring, but they are crisp and well-intentioned. His drives and cuts are purposeful. He defends with a "don't eff with me, bro" attitude of someone much taller and longer.

That defensive backbone may be the most impressive part of his game. No way, no how, should someone standing shorter than 6'4", with a wingspan under 6'6", be effectively shuttling between assignments ranging from Scoot Henderson and Jamal Murray to James Harden and even a dab of Kawhi Leonard.

Ruling out a star's arc is bad form this early into the game. More likely than not, though, Podz will end up a quintessential gap-filler who both preserves his team's floor and elevates its ceiling while dipping his feet into every statistical category the box score cares to track.

Speaking of which, just for fun, here's every player to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals per 100 possessions before their 21st birthday: LaMelo Ball, Nikola Jokić, Tracy McGrady, and now, potentially, Podz.