Bradley Beal, Jrue Vacation amongst a number of the NBA’s most intriguing gamers to observe this season

Celtics

Jrue Vacation has to switch fan-favorite Marcus Good, who was traded out of Boston earlier within the offseason. No stress.

Phoenix Suns' Bradley Beal poses for a portrait.
Phoenix Suns’ Bradley Beal poses for a portrait throughout the NBA basketball workforce’s media day. Matt York/AP Photograph

By NOAH TRISTER, Related Press

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When the NBA season begins subsequent week, it’s fairly straightforward to anticipate who will take heart stage. MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his new Milwaukee teammate Damian Lillard. LeBron James, making an attempt so as to add to his legend as he approaches his thirty ninth birthday. And naturally, rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.

A listing of the league’s most intriguing gamers, nevertheless, extends nicely past that predictable group of stars. Listed here are a couple of extra names to observe in 2023-24:

Bradley Beal, Suns

Age: 30

Final Season: Averaged 23.2 ppg whereas taking pictures a career-best 50.6% from the sphere for Washington.

Outlook: Beal lasted one season on his large new contract with the Wizards earlier than being traded to a contender within the offseason. After 11 seasons in Washington during which his scoring common twice made it into the 30s, Beal shouldn’t must shoulder that type of burden alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix, however he does have to point out he can thrive on a workforce with championship hopes. And he needs to be wholesome when the Suns want him — he hasn’t performed greater than 60 video games since 2018-19.

Mikal Bridges, Nets

Age: 27

Final Season: Averaged 26.1 ppg in 27 video games with Brooklyn after being traded from Phoenix to the Nets within the deal that despatched Durant to the Suns.

Outlook: Brooklyn didn’t precisely collapse after the exits of Durant and Kyrie Irving, partially due to Bridges’ scoring means. If the Nets exceed expectations for a full season with Bridges, it’ll be a breath of contemporary air for the franchise after constructing round Durant and Irving didn’t work.

Cade Cunningham, Pistons

Age: 22

Final Season: Averaged 19.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 6.0 apg in his second NBA season, however he performed solely 12 video games due to shin surgical procedure.

Outlook: The No. 1 total decide within the 2021 draft, Cunningham represents a centerpiece of Detroit’s rebuild — and his damage issues imply the Pistons nonetheless can’t be sure if he’ll change into the famous person they’ve been ready for. Detroit has additionally added top-15 picks like Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson during the last two years, so if Cunningham is in reality a rising star at level guard, the Pistons would possibly lastly begin to see some mild on the finish of the tunnel.

Tyrese Maxey, 76ers

Age: 22

Final Season: Averaged 20.3 ppg, giving Philadelphia one other important scoring menace together with Embiid and James Harden. Maxey additionally shot 40% from 3-point vary within the playoffs.

Outlook: Nick Nurse is taking up as coach following Doc Rivers‘ firing. Harden has demanded a commerce. Embiid has quite a bit to reply for after a second-round postseason exit towards Boston. In the course of all that drama, Maxey will attempt to construct on the strides he’s already made in his three seasons with Philadelphia.

Jrue Vacation, Celtics

Age: 33

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) dribbles the ball up the court.
Jrue Vacation is among the Related Press’ most intriguing gamers to observe this season. – AP Photograph/Mary Schwalm

Final Season: Averaged 19.3 ppg — his highest output in 4 seasons — for a Milwaukee workforce that had the NBA’s finest report however misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs.

Outlook: First, Vacation was traded from the Bucks to Portland within the deal that introduced Lillard to Milwaukee — a commerce which will have made the Celtics’ path by way of the Japanese Convention a superb deal tougher. Then Vacation was despatched to Boston, the place he’ll attempt to be the veteran the Celtics want to interrupt by way of and win a championship. Vacation additionally has to switch fan favourite Marcus Good, who was traded out of Boston earlier within the offseason. No stress.

Pascal Siakam, Raptors

Age: 29

Final Season: Averaged a career-high 24.2 ppg, however his workforce might solely handle a 41-41 report and was eradicated within the play-in spherical.

Outlook: The Raptors already misplaced guard Fred VanVleet in free company, and Siakam can change into a free agent subsequent summer season. So there may very well be loads of chatter about his future, particularly if Toronto struggles early.

Christian Wooden, Lakers

Age: 28

Final Season: Averaged 16.6 ppg whereas primarily a reserve for Dallas.

Outlook: A midseason makeover gave LeBron James and Anthony Davis sufficient assist to achieve the convention finals final season. Wooden is one in all a number of extra additions in Los Angeles since then, however his taking part in time has declined since he averaged 21.0 ppg with Houston in 2020-21. Wooden agreed to a two-year cope with the Lakers. The second is a participant possibility, so he might take one other shot at free company if he performs nicely sufficient.