This is the seasonal time of year for saluting, for recognizing those whose contributions might miss the shine and spotlight afforded to others.
It’s the appropriate week to give thanks to some players who are light on All-Star appearances (there’s only one former All-Star here) and major awards but long on promise, to the extent that maybe next year, they’ll go next-level and won’t qualify for this list.
The NBA from opening week to Thanksgiving doesn’t provide the largest sample size, although it does drop enough evidence to suggest what we’re seeing from selective players is real and there’s more to come.
So consider this an initial checkpoint throughout 82 games where it becomes necessary to take the pulse of the league and see who might be on the verge of a breakout season, or in some cases on the verge of stardom.
Here are 10 players (in alphabetical order) who deserve more thanks one month into the season:
1. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Isn’t it obvious that he’s making a real push for his second career All-Star Game appearance? There’s plenty of time between now and the voting, but he’s certainly on pace to put himself in the conversation, pushing his scoring average over 30 per game, helped by a recent 50-piece. This season’s leader in total points scored, Ball is finally healthy and showing the scoring potential the Hornets suspected all along. His range and consistency have increased substantially, to the extent that where Ball must be guarded once he crosses mid-court. He’s also within range of being in the NBA’s top 10 in assists per game, too.
2. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
He’s the “Man of Steal,” a player who found a home with the Hawks by parking himself in the passing lanes. Daniels caused a stir this season, his first with the Hawks, by intercepting passes and stripping opposing players of the ball, enough to lead the league in steals (3.1 spg) and deflections (108). He has a seven-steal game, three six-steal games and the last player to average 3 spg in a season was Alvin Robertson in 1990-91.
3. Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors
He was never projected to replace Klay Thompson, at least prime Klay Thompson. That wasn’t possible. But so far, Hield is giving the Warriors an extra threat from deep, showing the range that puts him in a special category when he’s at his best. His first three weeks of the season were strong as he scored 20 or more points in six of his first seven games. Lately, the efficiency hasn’t been the same, but overall the Warriors are perhaps getting more than they expected from “BuddyBall” off the bench.
Fitting right into the offense and the culture of the team, Buddy Hield has been one reason for Golden State’s great start this season.
4. Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
Not many players have gone from few to frequent minutes so suddenly. That speaks highly of the 6-foot-5 guard’s development and recovery from an ankle injury that caused him to miss all but two games in 2023-24. Also, remember it is hard to become a top-end rotational player on a team that won its first 15 games and sits atop the East. Yet Jerome is producing and therefore demanding more minutes. In his signature game so far, he scored 27 points in a half against the Pelicans, then followed up with 26 points and four steals against the Raptors.
5. Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Remember when the basketball world buzzed and braced this season to see the son of an NBA great? Raise your hand if you thought it was this particular son. He seized his opportunity when Ja Morant sat for a stretch with injuries and became a revelation here in his third NBA season, second in Memphis. Pippen averaged 13.8 points and 5.4 assists per game in eight starts and was exceptional in a career game in Chicago, his father’s former workplace, with 30 points against the Bulls. The Grizzlies will find a way to keep his minutes up with Morant back.
6. Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors
Not much has gone right for the struggling Raptors, who have many problems but center isn’t one of them. He’s averaging a double-double and has taken his game up a notch at age 29, which is rare this deep into one’s career. He had a 25-18 game (points, rebounds), a 35-12 game and a 30-15 game — all back-to-back-to-back. The question now: Is he playing himself into trade consideration? Lots of contending teams would take a solid paint presence who seemingly fits in most systems. It’s something to watch between now and the trade deadline.
7. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
As if the Celtics didn’t have enough weapons, now they’re fortified by the unexpected 3-point promise of Pritchard, who has carved out a role as a designated long-distance shooter on a deep team. It helps to have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown around to draw double-teams. That said, Pritchard still must hit the open shot, and do it consistently since the Celtics aren’t asking anything else from him. He’s shooting 42.6% on 3-pointers, scoring 14.8 ppg in a reserve role and announcing himself as a prime early candidate for the Kia Sixth Man Award.
8. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Anyone searching for clues as to why the Magic managed to keep winning without Paolo Banchero can begin here. Wagner is gradually assembling a breakout season. His signature game was a thoroughly enjoyable 37-point unleashing on the Lakers, including a vicious pull-up 3-point silencer for the win. During the Magic’s recent six-game win streak he averaged 29 points, six rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. His defense is also receiving applause as Orlando is No. 3 overall in defensive rating. Put him in the conversation for potential first-time All-Stars.
Franz Wagner scores 37, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, to seal Orlando’s win in L.A.
9. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
All the positive hints he dropped last season are proving true right now. Williams is indeed the real deal. A solid scorer (22.1 ppg on 52.3% shooting) and slightly better-than-you-thought rebounder (6.5 rpg), Williams is also second in the league in steals (2.2 spg), impressive for a power forward, and he’s more consistent at both ends. His value to the Thunder is greater now, with Chet Holmgren still recovering from injury. Williams was asked to do some of the rugged work in the paint and it was simple for him.
10. Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers
A role player for much of his career, and seldom asked to do anything more than set picks and crash the boards, “Big Zu” is showing a more refined game. Proof of his improvement? The Clippers are running plays for him. His improved connection with James Harden is showing dividends because Harden is finding him more often on screen rolls and lob passes. Harden doesn’t do that to just anybody; you must earn his trust. Zubac is averaging a firm double-double (15.6 ppg, 12.4 rpg), is shooting 60.1% overall and leads the NBA in total rebounds.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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source: nba.com
