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NBA season produces a few surprise breakout players. - We chose 12 young players who are poised to make a leap and make a big impact on the court.
- Our list includes players from the Knicks, Nuggets, Spurs, Cavs, and more.
A few players come out of the woodwork each NBA season and emerge as key pieces to their teams, fan favorites, and even enter the national spotlight.
With the 2021-22 season around the corner, we took a look at 12 players who have the potential to make a leap and have an impact on this season. Most of these are young players who made strides last year and look poised to continue their growth this season.
Tyrese Maxey, G
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 20
Experience: 1 year
2020-21 stats: 8 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 46.2% FG, 30% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: With Ben Simmons wanting out of Philadelphia, there is suddenly a hole at lead ball-handler for the 76ers. After seeing his minutes tick up in the playoffs, Maxey has played with the starters in training camp. The quick, slinky guard out of Kentucky will be looking to follow the lead of other Kentucky guards like Jamal Murray, Devin Booker, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who all took giant leaps in their second seasons.
Nassir Little, F
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 21
Experience: 2 years
2020-21 stats: 5 points, 3 rebounds, 46.7% FG, 35% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: Little has caught the eyes of the Blazers coaching staff this offseason with his hard work and improvement, according to The Athletic's Jason Quick. The third-year forward told Quick that new Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups wanted him to focus on being a 3-and-D player off the bench. Little also said he was often confused about his role under previous head coach Terry Stotts. The Blazers are desperate for depth and for one of their homegrown players to pop, and Little will have the opportunity to prove himself this season.
Darius Garland, G
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 21
Experience: 2 years
2020-21 stats: 17 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 45.1% FG, 39.5% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: Garland has already put up impressive stats in the NBA, but a third-year leap looks possible. According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Garland is nearly "untouchable" to the Cavs, while his back-court runningmate Collin Sexton has been floated in trade rumors. The Cavs might view Garland, with his off-the-bounce shooting ability, as deserving of more touches and a better fit in today's NBA. Veteran NBA reporter Jackie MacMullan recently said that Garland has a fan in Stephen Curry, who believes the third-year guard is destined for stardom.
De'Anthony Melton, G
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 23
Experience: 3 years
2020-21 stats: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 44% FG, 41% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: Melton will be looking to build off a big third season in which he raised his three-point percentage by 13 points and became a valuable piece of the Grizzlies rotation. Known for doing a little bit of everything, Melton helped the Grizzlies outscore teams by an average of 6 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor, the best mark of any regular member of the rotation. With Grayson Allen and Tyus Jones no longer on the roster, playing time has opened up for Melton this season.
Miles Bridges, F
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Age: 23
Experience: 3 years
2020-21 stats: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 50% FG, 40% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: Thanks to his thunderous dunks, Bridges is already fairly established. But he's more than just a high-flyer. Bridges shot a career-high from three last season on 4 attempts per game. He has also developed as a passer and played a few more minutes as a small-ball center last year, giving some glimpses of a Draymond Green-esque role on offense. If he takes another leap this year, he could be a fringe All-Star.
Immanuel Quickley, G
Team: New York Knicks
Age: 22
Experience: 1 year
2020-21 stats: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 40% FG, 39% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: Quickley was the surprise of the draft last season and has an obvious path to improving: making more two-pointers. "IQ," as he's called, has a strong floater but struggled finishing other shots in the paint, shooting just 40% on twos. If he gets more comfortable finishing at the rim, it will unlock his offensive game, which includes deep three-point range off the dribble. The Knicks simply played better with Quickley on the floor last year, and he should get chances to play as a lead guard and second guard next to Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose this season.
Malik Monk, G
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 23
Experience: 4 years
2020-21 stats: 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 43% FG, 40% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: Monk was a somewhat under-the-radar acquisition amid the Lakers' buzzy offseason. Though he had a career season last year, Monk never quite gained his footing with the Charlotte Hornets. While there are plenty of big names on the Lakers roster, there is a gaping hole on the wing in athleticism and players who can spread the floor and create their own shot. Monk might not play much right away, but the Lakers may eventually have a hard time keeping him off the floor.
Michael Porter Jr., F
Team: Denver Nuggets
Age: 23
Experience: 3 years
2020-21 stats: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 54% FG, 45% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: It's fair to scoff at Porter as a "breakout" candidate, given his success in the league already, but he likely has another jump to make - from very good to great. The recent recipient of a five-year, $207 million extension, the Nuggets are going to lean heavily on Porter this year to pick up some scoring slack while Jamal Murray recovers from a torn ACL. After the All-Star break last season, Porter shot a blistering 56% from the field and 46% from three while averaging 23 points per game in 33 minutes per game. If he keeps up that pace, he may be a Western Conference All-Star.
Saddiq Bey, F
Team: Detroit Pistons
Age: 22
Experience: 1 year
2020-21 stats: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 40% FG, 38% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: Much of the attention in Detroit will be given to No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham and last year's 7th overall pick Killian Hayes. But it is Bey who is coming off an All-Rookie Team season and could thrive with a year under his belt. Bey showed improved ball-handling and shot-creation in the Las Vegas Summer League to complement his 3-and-D skills. With a better team around him, Bey might make a leap this year.
Kevin Porter Jr., G
Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 21
Experience: 2 years
2020-21 stats: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 43% FG, 31% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: Porter appears to have found a home in Houston where he was allowed to test his skills to his heart's desire. It wasn't always pretty for Porter - the Rockets were outscored by 12 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor last season - but there were moments of brilliance, like a 50-point, 11-assist explosion against the Bucks in April. Porter needs to rein in his game a bit and contribute to winning, but on a young, talented Rockets squad with no expectations, he'll be given the opportunity to hone his skills further.
Keldon Johnson, F
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 21
Experience: 2 years
2020-21 stats: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 48% FG, 33% 3FG
2021-22 outlook: With the departures of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, Johnson is going to have a chance to shine for the Spurs. The third-year forward was a surprise selection to the Olympic team (Gregg Popovich coaching the team undoubtedly helped) and that experience can help young players make a leap. Johnson crashes into the paint with borderline reckless abandon, but has other parts of his game to unlock. The Spurs are going to need someone to score the ball and make plays, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Johnson make a leap from role player to borderline leading man this year.
Daniel Gafford, C
Team: Washington Wizards
Age: 23
Experience: 2 years
2020-21 stats: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 68% FG
2021-22 outlook: Gafford came on at the end of the season last year amid injuries to the Wizards' big men and proved effective. Wizards GM Tommy Shepard has since suggested that Gafford will be the starter. An athletic, rim-running big man, Gafford provides vertical spacing and rim protection and looks capable of producing plenty of double-doubles for a deep Wizards team.