The 5 stars that could lower their level in the 25/26 NBA season

The 2025/26 season of the NBA is fast approaching. The 30 teams in the league are well aware of this. Following numerous changes during the transfer market, it is expected that some players will increase their contribution while others may decrease it. In the latter group, names like Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Brunson, and DeMar DeRozan are expected to minimize their impact due to various circumstances.

Factors such as trades, role changes, new team dynamics, or even age contribute to uncertainties regarding some players' continuity and production in the league. Here, we highlight 5 cases deserving special attention.

Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)

Brunson's situation is not about lack of talent but rather a change in context. Under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks' offense was overly simplified with minimal rotation and maximum minutes for the starters. With Mike Brown as the new coach, a more dynamic and collective system is expected, inspired by ball movement. This shift will inevitably reduce Brunson's individual numbers even if the team collectively improves.

Kristaps Porzingis (Atlanta Hawks)

Porzingis' move from Boston to Atlanta was one of the most talked-about of the summer. The Hawks acquired the Latvian at a low cost in an attempt to rebuild their frontcourt, but it remains uncertain if the former Celtic can replicate his impact. Despite his floor-spacing ability and shot-blocking, his injury history and tendency to diminish in systems with dominant point guards (like Trae Young) raise doubts. Atlanta needs his best version, yet his statistics may not be as impressive as in previous stages of his career.

DeMar DeRozan (Sacramento Kings)

At 36 years old, DeRozan faces a crucial stage of his career. Sacramento relies on him as a veteran piece to provide experience and scoring in crucial moments, but indicators suggest a decline. His reliance on mid-range shooting keeps him relevant, yet the data is clear: only 11% of his shots were in the paint last season, a significant drop from the 25% two years ago in Chicago. The visible decrease in his physical explosiveness requires the Kings to manage his minutes wisely to prevent overburdening him.

Malik Beasley (free agent)

The guard is currently in a period of great uncertainty. After clearing a federal investigation over betting, his name remains controversial due to off-court matters. Beasley has not signed with any team yet, and although his season with the Pistons showed offensive flashes, it seems unlikely that he can replicate those numbers in a new setting. His future relies on finding stability, but as of now, everything indicates an inevitable decline in his statistical performance.

Cam Johnson (Denver Nuggets)

After being traded from the Nets, Johnson lands in Denver with a significantly different role than he had in Brooklyn. With the Nets, his offensive output surged to an average of 19 points per game with an impressive 63% field goal accuracy.

However, he must now adapt to a championship team with clear hierarchies: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray handle most of the offensive creation, relegating Johnson to a more limited role. Despite his defensive reputation, it seems likely that his numbers could drastically decrease.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las 5 estrellas que podrían bajar su nivel en la temporada 25/26 de la NBA