The close of one NBA season provides us with a chance to build anticipation and reset expectations for the next. Each new season gives us the opportunity to watch rising stars turn into superstars, and bench players turn into contributors.
While a “breakout” season looks different for every NBA player, there are a countless number of guys eager to make this season their best yet, and rewrite the narrative of their career. Here are five guys who I think have a great chance to have their own “breakout season” in 2024-25.
Cade Cunningham (G/Detroit Pistons)
If you asked 100 different NBA fans their opinion on Cade Cunningham, you might get 100 different answers. He has somehow assumed the position as one of the more polarizing players in the league despite his youth and place on a bad team. To me, the Cade Cunningham analysis is pretty simple. He’s a physically-gifted, smart, talented lead guard who has struggled with efficiency and been stuck in a really bad situation for the entirety of his short career.
It’s no secret that the Pistons haven’t exactly had a strong supporting cast around Cunningham, or put him in the best position to succeed. He’s already on his third head coach, and has experienced some major roster turnover every year. Cade was essentially playing 1970’s basketball with the lack of spacing some of his teammates provided him with last season.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Cunningham was able to put up nearly 23 points per game on decent efficiency while adding over 7 assists per game. Here’s the good news for Cade: This year’s Pistons squad will undoubtedly be the best he’s been on so far, and they finally will be able to surround him with a proper group of players.
The additions of Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Malik Beasley give Cunningham three elite shooters to play with, opening up a whole new world of driving lanes and drive-and-kick scenarios. Cunningham thrives when he’s able to get downhill and attack the center of the floor. From there, he’s shown his capabilities an elite mid-range shooter with enough physicality and finesse to be a tough finisher around the rim. He’ll have the chance to flaunt those skills a bit more this season, and I think he’s ready to cement himself as a perennial All-Star level player.
Julian Strawther (F/Denver Nuggets)
Julian Strawther had the type of summer league campaign you hope to see out of your second-year players. The “I’m too good to be here” level of play that gives a team and the player some confidence heading into the upcoming season. Strawther, the 29th pick in the 2023 draft, had his rookie season disrupted by an injury just as he was starting to work his way into the rotation.
While his stats are far from impressive, there’s no reason to read too much into them. To be clear, I’m not counting on Strawther becoming the fifth starter who averages fifteen a game on this Nuggets squad. Instead, I think he has a real chance to become a valuable asset off the bench for a team who so desperately needs one.
As he showed throughout his college career and short stint in this year’s summer league, Strawther knows how to put the ball in the basket. His 6-foot-7 frame along with an ultra quick release allows him to get his shot off whenever he wants, and he’s more than comfortable shooting on the move.
I also think he has some real potential as a driver of the basketball, something that Nuggets fans would be more than happy to see. He has good positional size, and should find a way to contribute on the glass as well. The opportunity for Strawther to come off the bench and fill a scoring void for Denver will almost certainly be there, and I have a feeling he’s going to make the most of it.
Evan Mobley (F/Cleveland Cavaliers)
There’s no denying the raw talent and defensive ability of Evan Mobley. He possesses a rare combination of length and athleticism that allows him to be one of the best interior defenders in the game. But, that’s not where the concern lies with Mobley. He’s still an extremely unrefined scorer who hasn’t quite found a jumper yet.
Headed into year four, I think Mobley is ready to finally display some real two-way ability, and knock on the door of being an All-Star level player. While the frontcourt situation in Cleveland will always be a bit cloudy as long as Allen and Mobley are together, I trust they can find a way to get the best out of eachother.
My main reason for believing in Mobley is because of what I saw in last year’s playoff series against Boston. He averaged 21 points per game in the series, and showed some legitimate flashes of high-level shot creation and post scoring. Even if it looked awkward and repetitive at times, it’s a start for someone who has struggled to find his way a scorer in the early stages of his career.
He even knocked down a few jumpers in the series, displaying a fairly fluid jump shot that could help him break through his ceiling. Cleveland played the majority of the Boston series without Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell, and it was impressive to see Mobley come through in a big moment. I have faith that this experience will help Mobley grow as a player, and will allow him to show some real improvement this season.
Andrew Nembhard (G/Indiana Pacers)
After completing one of the most impressive playoff runs you’ll ever see from a role player, Andrew Nembhard is poised for a breakout season in Indiana. Nembhard put up nearly identical stat lines in his first two seasons in the league, averaging right around 9 points and 4 assists per game.
He was a solid combo guard who fit well with the Pacers’ high-octane offense and had no real weaknesses in his game. But, this year’s playoff performance, particularly against the Celtics, has me wondering if Nembhard has a higher ceiling than we thought. With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the majority of the series, Nembhard took the lead guard role and ran with it.
He averaged 21 points and 7.8 assists per game on exceptional efficiency. His buckets weren’t simple catch-and-shoot threes or uncontested drives either. Nembhard was repeatedly attacking mismatches, getting to his spots, and hitting tough shots over elite defenders. He came up big time and time again when Indiana needed something on offense, whether it be with his scoring or his playmaking. He showed off a three-level scoring ability that not many knew he had, and put the Pacers in a position to win almost every game of that series against the Celtics.
It’s safe to assume that these moments will stick with Nembhard and provide him with some extra confidence heading into this season. It’s also reasonable to assume the Pacers’ coaching staff will allow Nembhard to do a bit more self-creation and shot-taking this year after showing what he’s capable of on the biggest stage. The Pacers’ offense makes it tough for one player to rack up big numbers, but I feel confident Andrew Nembhard will take a leap this season.
Josh Giddey (G/Chicago Bulls)
While still young, Josh Giddey’s NBA career has been a rollercoaster ride so far. After spending three years in Oklahoma City, the Thunder opted to part ways with the young Australian, sending him to Chicago in a trade. Giddey had a fantastic rookie season, showing off a quirky playstyle that constantly stuffed the stat sheet. But, as the Thunder continued to get better and better, Giddey clearly became the odd man out. His role diminished over time, and his confidence seemed to go with it.
A fresh start with the Bulls could prove to be exactly what the 21-year old needs to get his career back on track. Giddey will enter the season with an abundance of confidence after a stellar Olympic campaign with Australia. He averaged 19 points per game and thrived as the number one option on a solid Australian team.
Chicago will offer an offensive system better fit to hide Giddey’s weaknesses and allow him to capitalize on what he does well. If he can turn himself into an adequate three-point shooter, it’ll be hard to keep him off the floor. I’m banking on a bounce-back season from Josh Giddey in Chicago.
