When the NBA season begins next week, it’s pretty easy to anticipate who will take center stage. MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his new Milwaukee teammate Damian Lillard. LeBron James, trying to add to his legend as he approaches his 39th birthday. And of course, rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
A list of the league’s most intriguing players, however, extends well beyond that predictable group of stars. Here are a few more names to watch in 2023-24:
BRADLEY BEAL, SUNS
Age: 30
Last Season: Averaged 23.2 ppg while shooting a career-best 50.6% from the field for Washington.
Outlook: Beal lasted one season on his massive new contract with the Wizards before being traded to a contender in the offseason. After 11 seasons in Washington in which his scoring average twice made it into the 30s, Beal shouldn’t have to shoulder that kind of burden alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix, but he does have to show he can thrive on a team with championship hopes. And he has to be healthy when the Suns need him — he hasn’t played more than 60 games since 2018-19.
MIKAL BRIDGES, NETS
Age: 27
Last Season: Averaged 26.1 ppg in 27 games with Brooklyn after being traded from Phoenix to the Nets in the deal that sent Durant to the Suns.
Outlook: Brooklyn didn’t exactly collapse after the exits of Durant and Kyrie Irving, in part because of Bridges’ scoring ability. If the Nets exceed expectations for a full season with Bridges, it’ll be a breath of fresh air for the franchise after building around Durant and Irving didn’t work.
CADE CUNNINGHAM, PISTONS
Age: 22
Last Season: Averaged 19.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 6.0 apg in his second NBA season, but he played only 12 games because of shin surgery.
Outlook: The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Cunningham represents a centerpiece of Detroit’s rebuild — and his injury problems mean the Pistons still can’t be certain if he’ll become the superstar they’ve been waiting for. Detroit has also added top-15 picks like Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson over the last two years, so if Cunningham is in fact a rising star at point guard, the Pistons might finally start to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
TYRESE MAXEY, 76ERS
Age: 22
