Every season, players emerge from obscurity to become a recognizable figure among NBA fans.
Some become household names, or even stars. Last season, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Minnesota Timberwolves wing Anthony Edwards became two of the most popular players in the league. However, there are many more whose contributions aren’t as sensationalized. Last season, players like Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels and Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford embodied the concept of being stars in their role. These players’ impacts are understated but enormous.
3 Potential Breakout Players In 2024-25
Scoot Henderson
2023 No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson didn’t have the type of standout season some expected.
The G League Ignite product struggled, unable to find the bottom of the net or take care of the ball. However, towards the end of the season, Henderson started to put it all together. After the All-Star Break, the 20-year-old averaged 16.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. While his efficiency still left a lot to be desired, he was getting to his spots and taking better advantage of his speed.
With Henderson shooting just 38.5 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from 3, he was left off of the All-Rookie team.
This may sting a bit, as the Marietta native believed he could win Rookie of the Year. Of course, that was always a long shot given the otherworldly excellence of San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama. Nonetheless, not even being regarded as one of the 10 best rookies should put a chip on his shoulder.
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Henderson has been pretty quiet. That’s probably a good sign; the hope is that he’s been in the gym and studying film.
If he returns to the Portland Trail Blazers as a sharper player, he’s in a prime position to take over the team. As the point guard, the ball will be in his hands by necessity. Just how much they stay in it will be determined by his improvements as a jump shooter, finisher, and decision-maker.
Henderson could get an assist from a teammate though. If 2024 No. 7 pick Donovan Clingan can reach his potential as a stretch-five, the paint will be that much clearer.
Julian Strawther
Denver Nuggets wing Julian Strawther was singled out by Nuggets head coach Michael Malone when asked about replacing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
To be fair, Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth did the same with Christian Braun, who they drafted in 2022. Yet, while Braun has already broke into Denver’s rotation, a midseason injury prevented Strawther from doing the same in his rookie season. With Malone more keen on using his young players than ever, it was a particularly tough break for the now 22-year-old.
Strawther may get another chance next season with the Nuggets having an open competition at shooting guard.
Braun is the favorite to be named as a starter. He has great positional length, a high motor, defensive upside, and made 38.4 percent of his 3s in the regular season. However, Braun has made just 21.4 percent of his 3s in the playoffs. As the playoffs are more important for Denver right now, this is more than an eyesore, It’s unacceptable.
Strawther only converted 29.7 percent of his 3s in the 2023-24 regular season and 25.0 percent in the postseason.
With that being said, he hasn’t performed better in comparison. However, he made 38.4 percent of his 3s at Gonzaga, lending credence to the belief he can play better than that. He’s also coming off of an impressive Summer League stint in which he averaged 28.5 points per game while shooting 40.9 percent from 3.
Strawther has a fair shot to win the training camp battle with Braun. If he does, he’ll have one of the most important roles on the team.
Keon Ellis
Last season, the Sacramento Kings couldn’t seem to find the right backcourt mate for star point guard De’Aaron Fox.
Kevin Huerter seemed to want the ball more than the Kings wanted or could give it to him. Compounding the issue was Malik Monk, a 2024 Sixth Man of the Year Award finalist. Monk’s assertiveness, energy, and chemistry with Fox all provided an intangible benefit to Sacramento that Huerter just can’t provide.
With that being said, Monk now wants to start, However, Monk is a natural on-ball scorer and the arrival of DeMar DeRozan makes him a weird fit in the first unit. Enter Keon Ellis, whose potential as a 3-and-D wing between Fox and DeRozan is exactly what the Kings need.
The Floridian has great physical tools.
Ellis possesses better length than Monk at 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan. He has better quick-twitch athleticism than Huerter.
He also has the numbers.
Ellis is a career 42.2 percent 3-point shooter. Notably, the two-year pro played 25.0 minutes per game after the 2024 All-Star Break, starting in 18 out of 24 games. In those contests, he averaged 8.3 points and 1.5 steals per game while shooting a sizzling 45.3 percent from 3. Suffice it to say, the Kings aren’t unfamiliar with his game.
Currently averaging 20.3 points per game in the Summer League while shooting 38.9 percent from 3, Ellis is now getting even more attention.
Most people probably project Ellis to play a minor role off the bench. However, he could be a major contributor in Sacramento next season and beyond.
