As we inch closer to the start of the NBA regular season, we’re getting an early look at players and teams. And while we should take what we see in preseason with a grain of salt, there’s some excitement building.
Now would usually be the time to tell you who is on the verge of breaking out in 2025-26, but I find that limiting. When I watch the preseason I’m intrigued by what impact players — from rising stars to established veterans — can have on their teams if something I’m seeing can carry over to the regular season. That’s the joy of the preseason, seeing the payoff from offseason development and preseason experimentation.
Advertisement
Here are a few names to keep an eye on at the start of the season.
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
The intrigue with Wembanyama comes from wondering what approach he will take in Year 3.
There is a balance that comes with offensive versatility. On one hand, a team can use a player in a lot of different scenarios — on ball, in the post, as a roller, off screens. That type of sandbox approach can keep consistent pressure on defenses, as there is not one specific thing to take away. On the other hand, a team can lose the emphasis on a specific action on a night-to-night basis.
One thing has appeared clear from watching Wembanyama in preseason: a change in shot selection. For all of his size and skill, Wembanyama averaged nearly nine 3-point attempts a night last season. Through two preseason games so far, he has taken exactly two 3-pointers. There’s a clear emphasis for Wembanyama to increase his paint touches and work to catch the ball closer to the basket. More attempts to drive the basketball, and more attempts to initiate contact, should result in a better balance offensively. Working to seal matchups near the post or elbow is a way to keep pressure on defenses.
(Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
His strength will be tested as teams continue to be physical with him on drives or fight to push his catches out. Can he get to his spots consistently? What does that look like when he does?
Advertisement
Keep an eye on his playmaking this season. The Spurs have worked to use multiple players as screeners which could open up pops for shooters or rolls when they go double big. Wembanyama appears to be making more contact as a screener while mixing in slips and quick rolls — knowing when to roll and force the weakside to help, and knowing when to pop to force a rotation. A quick swing or a drive against a closeout could keep an advantage for the Spurs.
[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]
On the defensive end, Wembanyama is always a sight to behold. In pick-and-roll, he can be near the level of a screen, drop back to contain the drive, use his wingspan to swipe down at the ball-handler and still recover to his man popping or rolling. If the offense takes that space as a chance to pull up, that can easily turn into a switch and contest.
His size jumps off the page when he is defending on the weakside, sometimes seeming like he can remove a quadrant off the court with his presence. The rim protection speaks for itself (176 blocks in 46 games last season, most in the league), but I’m intrigued by how he’ll adjust as teams work to space him and play off his rotations.
Trey Murphy III, Pelicans
Murphy made a large leap last year prior to a shoulder injury, but I believe there is even more room for his game to expand. Never doubt the combination of knowing what you can do and working to improve on everything else.
Advertisement
The quick decisions and reads continue to grow. When he’s spaced on the perimeter or running in transition, the threat is no longer just a 3-point shot but a drive. You can feel that impact when he’s used off the ball in dribble handoffs or pindowns. If you are not physical and give him space, or try to go under, the shot is going up. If you lock and trail, he can turn the corner and get to the paint or to his pull-up. If you try to get physical, you open up backdoor cuts or curls to the basket. The Pelicans will need that type of versatility in the half court which pairs well with Zion Williamson’s ability to be used in different ways.
Murphy has also been looking to initiate contact to get to where he wants to vs. only taking the space given. An improved handle could open up more opportunities in pick-and-roll where he can reject and try to get downhill. Pitch-and-catch action could open even more room for him. It will be interesting to watch what it looks like if he has the mindset to create space in different areas of the floor.
Al Horford, Warriors
It’s not difficult to think of the ways Horford’s experience can help a Warriors team that features Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. But the speed in which you can see it already has surprised me to a degree.
Advertisement
The defense is what jumps off the page. Horford’s scheme versatility defending pick-and-roll will add a level of consistency to the Warriors’ defense. His ability to get to the level of a screen, turn it into a trap, drop and contain penetration is key. We have seen time and time again no matter the age, Horford is willing to switch and defend multiple positions, and late switches can help the Warriors recover. The Warriors having Horford’s help defense on drives or rotations on the baseline is one thing. Having that with Draymond and Jimmy on the court feels like another.
Offensively, Horford’s ability to space and willingness to move the ball fits right into the Warriors’ ethos. The passing can open up cutters and keep an advantage for the Warriors when they get a defense in rotation. He can be involved in screening actions on and off the ball. How often have the Warriors had a big who can set a post split and receive a post split?
Deuce McBride, Knicks
Mike Brown has brought more ball movement, player movement and freedom to the New York Knicks offense. McBride looks like he fits right in to the vision and is set up to thrive within the offense.
Advertisement
Simply put, it is wise to believe in a scoring guard within the confines of a Mike Brown offense (see Monk, Malik). More pace and more tempo should open up more opportunities for McBride to attack offensively. More opportunities in transition to attack an early clock suits McBride a little more than bringing the ball up (slowly) and going right into a set.
An emphasis on spacing should also highlight McBride’s ability to get downhill to score. The ball moving from side to side should allow McBride to attack a tilted defense. Combine the offensive confidence with the effort he gives defensively and that unlocks even more lineup versatility for the Knicks. Do not be surprised by three-guard looks with McBride guarding a top option.
Shaedon Sharpe, Trail Blazers
The potential has always been there for Sharpe, but all of the elements appear to be coming together for a breakout season.
Advertisement
One of the tougher things for a young, athletic player to navigate is understanding how and when to change speeds. Early in the preseason you can feel the growth from Sharpe in that area. There is more poise and composure, a combination of patience and confidence. We’re seeing a scorer play with an understanding of when and how to get to his spots against the space defenses are giving him.
Sharpe is doing a better job of setting up his defender to get screened in pick-and-roll and, instead of hitting the turbo button to get downhill, he’s taking the space and attacking appropriately. The midrange pullup is there, but that attack can open up a kick, or a quick burst of speed can turn it into a drive. The more he can get downhill against closeouts, the tougher he becomes to guard. That kind of shiftiness can only open up things for him — and Portland — offensively. The sky is the limit if he is able to consistently mix the drives and self-creation.
Cam Johnson, Nuggets
This is less about Cam Johnson the talent and more what Cam Johnson the talent unlocks for the Nuggets. It’s the little things that can help them offensively.
Advertisement
Running the wing in transition as Jamal Murray flows into pick-and-roll with Nikola Jokić. Seeing that action take place and diving from the wing to the block to take his man out of help defense. Forcing someone else to rotate which opens a kick from Jokić for 3.
Running pick-and-roll with Jokić, kicking to the wing and immediately relocating for a 3. Backdoor cuts with a willing passer that put pressure on the defense. Those types of things have already stood out.
Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets
The Rockets have added Kevin Durant to their roster, Alperen Şengün has gotten even better, Amen Thompson will get more responsibility in the Rockets’ offense. I remain intrigued by what this season can look like for Smith. There is a clearer runway for him to have an impact on both ends of the floor, both with the starting lineup and mixing in with bench units.
Advertisement
In the preseason we’ve seen a good mindset from Smith. Defensively, he has played with a high level of activity, switching and defending multiple positions. Defense is the base for the Rockets’ success and the more he can grow on that end the better. Offensively, he’s continued to play with aggression, but it feels like it has more purpose behind it.
If he gets a switch, he’s trying to dive in the paint to get deep position. He’s hitting first on his drives instead of solely relying on getting to a fadeaway. He’s throwing the ball into the post and setting a post split to get involved in off-ball movement. It feels like his growth could be flying under the radar, but if he continues to hit the right notes that’s only good news for the Rockets.
Andrew Nembhard, Pacers
With both Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell out to start the season, it could be a moment for Nembhard to emerge. The Pacers will be different, but a lot of their principles will remain the same. Now is the time to see if Nembhard can build on the base he’s showcased the past few seasons.
Advertisement
With Indiana’s pace, tempo and movement, I do not think Nembhard will have to be the true “engine” of the Pacers offense. But there will be a lot more opportunities for him to impact the game offensively, and I want to see what that looks like. How much can he help the Pacers keep being the Pacers when it comes to pace/tempo? How does he handle being a larger part of a team’s game plan? Will the extra opportunities unlock a different level of aggression?
We have seen the playoff production, the shotmaking, the defense, but this is a player who has yet to average more than 30 minutes a game in the regular season.
De’Andre Hunter, Cavaliers
The fit felt good when Cleveland traded for Hunter at the trade deadline; the team needed a wing who could defend multiple positions, knock down shots and drive the basketball. With a full offseason of familiarity in tow and some early injuries, is there room for Hunter to continue to grow?
Advertisement
The shotmaking always feels important for Hunter’s overall impact, but this is a Cleveland offense that is built on pace and tempo. That can open a level of freedom which could allow Hunter to have more of an impact offensively. Does Cleveland work to get him the ball in different areas of the floor? Is there more room for him to drive or be involved in pick-and-roll? It feels like there is a real opportunity for Hunter to have an impact for the Cavs this year.
Ausar Thompson, Pistons
Honestly, I am very excited to watch another year of Thompson being a mad man on defense. If you enjoy screen navigation, point-of-attack containment and overall activity, he will bring it to you every single night.
Advertisement
But the athleticism and drives — and what that means for Detroit — is where the fun can begin on offense. Cade Cunningham runs the show, but Detroit values having shooting and playmaking on the floor. Can Thompson get consistent paint touches to force defenses to help and create advantages? Defenses may want to go under, but if he can turn the corner and become a pressure point, a lot opens up for Detroit.
Jaylen Wells, Grizzlies
This one feels less like box-score growth and more like an opportunity for a player to really develop. New coach, new system and new opportunities abound in Memphis, and it’s clear they value what Wells brings to the table.
Advertisement
There has been more of an effort to get him involved on and off the ball, and he’s shown an ability to space the floor. If he can continue to improve offensively, while being active on ball and pesky off ball defensively, Memphis could have a gem.
Read the full article here
