3 Breakout Players To Watch For This NBA Season
More than ever, it feels like the NBA is a 12-month-a-year commitment. We witnessed an exciting NBA Finals series between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics this past June, where the Warriors got past Boston to continue their dynasty. Fans experienced a wild ride during the offseason, filled with blockbuster trades and rumors about stars changing teams. There was also a competitive EuroBasket tournament in late August and early September, which showcased some of basketball’s biggest stars, and proved how much of a global game basketball really is.
But that is all in the past now. It is time to look forward to a new NBA season. Sports betting enthusiasts and regular fans alike will summarize everything that happened over the summer in order to predict what might take place in the coming months.
Here are three players to keep an eye on who might break out in the 2022-2023 NBA season.
Evan Mobley
Most NBA fans already believe that Mobley is something awfully special since his rookie campaign was a dazzling display of versatility. On the offensive end of the floor, he played with the savvy of a ten-year veteran, always seemingly placed on the correct side of the floor to maximize spacing and elude defenders with a polish repertoire. On the defensive end, the talented big man from USC displayed a knack for rim protection, averaging nearly two blocks a game.
It’s a little scary to think about how good he can become, but there is definitely a chance he takes a huge leap in year two. Mobley hasn’t even really begun to tap into his potential as a three-point shooter, which will make him even more valuable.
Jalen Brunson
The New York Knicks have lacked a true floor general for several seasons, and are hopeful that Jalen Brunson will be able to fill that void for years to come. The franchise signed him to a four year contract worth $104 million. That price felt steep for some, but the potential that Brunson has to become an integral part of an improving team is definitely there.
The former Villanova guard had a tremendous run in the playoffs last year, which helped fuel his case for a large contract in the offseason. Playing next to Luka Doncic, Brunson was extremely efficient, and used his strength to get to the basket time and time again. While Doncic will not be accompanying him in New York, the traits that Brunson brings to the table should serve him well in New York.
Tyrese Haliburton
Much like the perception of Evan Mobley, most fans already know that Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has some special qualities. He has a knack for finding the open man, and the unselfishness he plays with is something that teams love to feature as a core tenet of their offense.
He was impressive after being traded to Indiana from the Sacramento Kings, but will now get to have full control since the Pacers moved on from Malcolm Brogdon this summer. It will be exciting to see if Haliburton, who some have likened to a franchise cornerstone like Reggie Miller, takes the next step and pushes for an All-Star nod.
