As the middle of August begins, basketball fans are almost two months away from the start of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season. Additionally, multiple teams have loaded up during the offseason. Starting in October those roster moves will be evaluated, through the grind of an 82-game season.
However, despite all of these moves what often determines whether a team is hoisting up the Larry O’Brien Trophy or not in June are players improving their games and going from stars to superstars. Going into this season the star power has never been more widespread than it is now between both conferences. This should make for an interesting regular season and postseason. Let’s examine three current stars who could blossom into superstars this upcoming season.
3 NBA Players Who Could Become Superstars This Season
Paolo Banchero
Last season, one of the most surprising teams to go from bottom feeder to playoff team was the Orlando Magic. Also, a couple of their draft picks from previous seasons made huge impacts on the team. The biggest impact player on the roster was Paolo Banchero. He was able to show off his next-level talent in Orlando. In addition, the Magic also built a roster that maximized his talent. Which, led the Magic to the fifth seed in the loaded Eastern Conference. While their season ended at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs this past season was certainly successful for Orlando.
If Orlando wants to make more noise in the Eastern Conference, they will need Banchero to take the next step in his development. Right now, he is one of the best young players in the league. However, one of the biggest weaknesses in his game is he does not have a consistent jump shot. If an opposing team takes away the paint from him he cannot consistently hit a jump shot, to make them pay for giving him space to shoot. If Banchero can become a consistent scorer from the mid-range and three-point line, along with improving as a playmaker he could make a superstar leap. As a result of those improvements, Orlando will be in great shape to be one of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference.
Chet Holmgren
Last season the Oklahoma City Thunder were the top seed in the Western Conference. They had one of the youngest rosters in the league and those players did not play like young players. Also, Chet Holmgren made an enormous difference for the Thunder in his rookie season. They finally had a big man they could pair with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Their development as a duo opened up high-percentage shooting opportunities for their teammates. Holmgren is one of the rising stars in the league and if he can continue to develop his game, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be competing for championships for a long time.
The next step in Holmgren’s development as a player is improving his skill as a playmaker. He draws a lot of defensive attention as the Thunder’s second-best player, and if he can create more wide-open shooting opportunities for his teammates then the Thunder will go to the next level as a team. In addition, Holmgren will need to continue to improve his mid-range and three-point abilities. If he can become a better playmaker and shooter he could make a superstar leap.
Tyrese Maxey
The Philadelphia 76ers had one of the best offseason in the Joel Embiid era this summer. They have created one of the deepest rosters in the association. Whether all of these pieces come together or not depends on the offseason development of Tyrese Maxey as a point guard. This will be his second full season as the full-time starting point guard for the Sixers. It will be up to him to make sure he puts his teammates in the best position to put the ball in the basket.
Last season, Maxey improved as a passer, averaging 6.2 assists per game which is a new career high for him. As a result of his improved passing ability, he showed that he can be an elite point guard in this league. If he can continue to increase his assist numbers by playing within the offense and develops a mid-range jump shot not only will he be one of the best players on the Sixers roster, but he can make a superstar-level jump. Also, the Sixers will be in great shape to win their first NBA title since 1983.
