5 players called to break out the NBA season 2025/26
Pressure on men who, due to the circumstances of their franchises, must step up in their performance
The 2025/26 NBA season has been alive for a few weeks now, bringing expectations about which players are ready to take a leap in quality. Each season offers new opportunities for young talents to establish themselves or for established players to take another step towards stardom. Factors such as injuries, changes in rotations, or each team's context can open the door to significant individual progression. Here are five players to closely monitor this season due to their growth potential and pivotal role in the immediate future of franchises like Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics:
Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets)
Thompson already showed signs of taking off last season, being part of the All-Defensive First Team and displaying spectacular flashes on offense. With Jalen Green's departure to Phoenix and the arrival of Kevin Durant, the young shooting guard emerges as Houston's new offensive engine. Fred VanVleet's serious injury has expedited his prominence, and Thompson will have the responsibility to lead the offense alongside Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard.
His ability to drive and create advantages makes him a constant threat, although his outside shooting remains his main weakness (barely 27% on threes last season). If he improves his efficiency from the perimeter, Thompson could become an All-Star candidate at 22. Houston will experiment with different combinations to find the best version of the team, but his defense and energy position him as a central piece in the Rockets' growth.
Payton Pritchard (Boston Celtics)
Pritchard is coming off his best season yet, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award as recognition for his consistency and accuracy from outside. Now, Jayson Tatum's absence due to injury and the departures of key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis create a scoring void that Boston must collectively fill. In this context, the guard has the chance to establish himself as one of the main offensive weapons of the team.
Joe Mazzulla's team faces a transitional season, with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White leading the way. However, the Celtics' fast-paced and distributed offensive style could benefit Pritchard, who has shown the ability to maximize every minute on the court. If he maintains his accuracy and solid play, he could repeat as Sixth Man and be crucial in keeping the Celtics in playoff contention.
Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
Cade Cunningham's growth made headlines last year, but Duren was one of the silent pillars behind Detroit's resurgence. The 21-year-old center had an outstanding season, shooting 69.2% from the field — the second-best percentage in the NBA — and averaging a double-double for the second straight year. His physical power makes him dominant under the rim, and his development as a passer points to a more complete player.
Duren has already shown he is a reliable finisher and an excellent rebounder, but his challenge now is to step up as an offensive creator, similar to Bam Adebayo in Miami. Chemistry with Cunningham and Ausar Thompson will be crucial in that progression. Without an agreed contract extension, Duren faces a crucial season before his restricted free agency in 2026, where his growth could translate into significant economic and athletic improvement.
Cameron Johnson (Denver Nuggets)
Johnson arrives in Denver after a brilliant season in Brooklyn, where he was one of the few bright spots on a team in reconstruction. With a 39.2% career three-point shooting and increasing offensive versatility, the forward fits perfectly into the Nuggets' system, replacing Michael Porter Jr. following their trade. Playing alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray promises to further enhance his production and efficiency.
His adaptation seems straightforward: he will be an open shooter who can also create off movement, distinguishing him from Porter. His challenge will be to contribute when Jokic is off the floor, helping maintain offensive flow during the Serbian's rest minutes. After averaging 18.8 points and shooting 47% last season, Johnson could surpass his best records in a more competitive context, aiding Denver in its pursuit of the Western Conference title.
Andrew Nembhard (Indiana Pacers)
Tyrese Haliburton's injury and Myles Turner's departure left Indiana in an uncertain situation at the start of the season but also opened the door for Nembhard, who will assume the starting point guard role once he recovers from his own shoulder injury. After being a key piece in the Pacers' surprising playoff run, the Canadian faces a golden opportunity to establish himself as the team's primary playmaker.
Nembhard stands out for his playmaking intelligence and size for the position, although he must improve his outside shooting (29% on threes last year) to maintain efficiency with a larger offensive load. His defense, one of his main virtues, will be tested with increased minutes and responsibilities. If he can balance both aspects, he could emerge from this season as a much more complete and valuable player within Indiana's project.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, 5 jugadores llamados a reventar la temporada NBA 2025/26