NBA Breakout Candidates To Watch Entering 2024-25 Season (2024)

The NBA continues to expand, both within the league and globally. This season, there are more than 80 players who could reasonably be described as All-Star caliber.

While that might seem like an odd number, it just puts into focus how deep the talent pool in the league currently is. As a result, parity is at an all-time high with five different World Champions in the last five years. And, it isn’t going to revert to dynastic ways.

Rather, from the looks of things, more players might join the pool of All-Stars as the league continues to grow. Names like Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Williams were relatively straightforward to scout. But, no one saw the explosion from Austin Reaves coming.

In that mold, who are the players that could rewrite their career trajectory next season? Let’s take a look at three prime candidates.

3. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Now this feels almost inevitable. But, Jalen Johnson was a relatively unheard success story for the Atlanta Hawks last season. Barring a late-season injury, he would have been on a lot of Most Improved Player ballots if not outright win.

However, this season is where he can truly step into his own. Dejounte Murray is gone and Atlanta has a major hole to fill offensively. So far, the early returns of Johnson are extremely promising and guarantee future evolutions.

With a larger role to fill offensively, don’t be surprised if Jalen Johnson makes an All-Star push in the weaker Eastern Conference. After riding the bench and barely getting any playing time, Jalen got his first extended run for the Hawks.

For the year, he finished with 16.0 points and nearly 8.7 rebounds. However, for Atlanta, their new vision is a Dallas Mavericks-inspired version with Trae Young at the helm.For them, defense around their franchise point guard is the premium right now. And Jalen Johnson in his short career has been elite on that end.

Combing for two stocks per game last season, he was sensational defensively. That versatility at 6-foot-9 should make him invaluable for Atlanta and a prime breakout candidate next year.

2. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga is in a very similar boat to Jalen Johnson. For the first years of their careers, both didn’t get much opportunities or playing time. However, last season, when the necessity of the team grew, they were there to take the baton.

Both had wildly impressive seasons but Kuminga feels like a safer bet on account of injury alone. While Johnson had to miss a significant portion of the season, Jonathan was all guns blazing. Further, this points to Draymond Green as much as it does the 23-year-old. But, in Green, he has a mentor unlike any that Jalen possesses.

Last season, one could argue that Jonathan was the second-best player on the entire Golden State roster. His averages took a jump as he got many nights as a starter, rising to 17.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 46 starts. But, like Johnson, his true calling card is on the defensive end.

Despite his 6-foot-8 frame, Kuminga is as agile as they come. As a result, his unique combination of size and speed make him a defensive nightmare against all positions. The Golden State Warriors are entering a new era, one without the Big 3 and Splash Brothers.

In this new scenario, Kuminga is one of the primary people that Steve Kerr will rely upon. His role should expand, and with it, both his production and stature around the league.

3. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder

Now, this one might feel like a long shot. But, there is a picture that the Chicago Bulls have. And there is a reason Josh Giddey fits into it seamlessly. Last year was a whirlwind for the former 6th-overall pick. After dealing with some off-the-court issues, his on-court play also saw a decline.

Further, he went down the pecking order as the trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren overtook him in the hierarchy. As a result, he had arguably his worst year in the league, while becoming borderline unplayable in the playoffs.

However, in Chicago, Giddey has a genuine fresh start. The team has a plethora of guards to choose from, but early reports indicate that Josh will have lead guard duties. But, the biggest boost might be in jump shooting. For Giddey, his lack of a jumper became a major hurdle for him to overcome.

It had Dallas leaving him wide-open throughout their series, playing him off of the court. And, in a league shifting more and more into a jump shooter’s dream, it’s what Giddey needs to evolve as well. Thankfully, there are indications already that the transition has begun.

During the Paris Olympics, he was one of the leading drivers for an unpredictable Australia team. Through 4 games, he had 9 made threes, with ample confidence alongside and a 47.4% efficiency.

If that is a sign of things to come, Josh Giddey could become dominant for the Chicago Bulls. He already possesses elite playmaking with some strong passing chops. Those with an increased shooting performance could signal the breakout that Oklahoma City initially saw in the Aussie.