Author: Bilal Imran
With the NBA 2024-2025 season underway, it’s time to discuss some players who are exceeding expectations and those who are underperforming. Although the season has just begun, potential superstars are already emerging. Following a wild off-season of trades, expectations for some players have never been higher. All eyes are on the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves after a blockbuster trade involving big names like Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle, as well as the Knicks acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets to form a new Big 3 in NYC. Another major storyline this season is the continued dominance of Nikola Jokic, who is once again putting up historic numbers. Fresh off leading the Denver Nuggets to an NBA championship a couple of seasons ago, Jokic is making a strong case for yet another MVP award, showcasing his ability to dominate with a unique combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking
Exceeding Expectations
KAT
After averaging 21.8 points, 3.0 assists, 8.3 rebounds, and less than 1 steal and block per game throughout 62 games in the 2023-2024 regular season, KAT was traded to the New York Knicks in a package centered around Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle. In his time at Minnesota, Towns played alongside all-star caliber players such as Anthony Edwards, who averaged 25.9 points, 5.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, and Rudy Gobert, who averaged 14.0 points, 5.1 assists,12.9 rebounds with 2.1 blocks per game. This big 3 led Minnesota to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in 5 games. KAT had an underwhelming postseason averaging only 19.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game so after being traded to the Knicks, expectations were not too high. Before the season, it looked like KAT’s role on the Knicks would be as a secondary option behind Jalen Brunson. Surprisingly, The Big Bodega is performing like the first option on this heavily stacked Knicks team. He is averaging more points than his last three seasons in the NBA with 26.5 points as well as 2.7 assists and 12.4 rebounds per game. KAT has had some monster performances this season dropping 44p/13r on the Miami Heat as well as 46p/10r against the Chicago Bulls. KAT has also been on fire from beyond the arc, averaging a career-high 50% from three, ranking him 7th in 3P% this season. Not only has KAT been putting on an offensive clinic with his scoring but has also been dominant on the glass, averaging more rebounds than his last six seasons in the NBA. Becoming a primary center on the Knicks and not having to share the floor with Rudy Gobert, KAT is averaging 4 more rebounds per game with double the amount of offensive rebounds. Currently sitting at number 3 this season for rebounds per game behind Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis, he is one of the very few who are top 10 in points and rebounds per game. Town’s performance so far in the season is creating a significant impact on the Knick’s early season success, with them currently sitting at the 4th seed in the East. If the big man can continue this all season long, then the New York Knicks are a team to watch out for.
Paolo Banchero
Paolo Banchero had an excellent start to his NBA career after being named Rookie of the year as the number 1 overall pick in the 2022-2023 draft. He averaged 20.0 points, 3.7 assists and 6.9 assists per game. Although Paolo got his first all-star selection in his sophomore year averaging 22.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game, the jump from his rookie year was somewhat disappointing compared to other first-overall picks who had also won Rookie of the Year. Paolo showed signs of development in the 2023-2024 postseason against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he took them to game 7, averaging 27 points, 4.0 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game. However, he did not have the opportunity to prove his growth in the postseason as their campaign ended early only after 7 games. Paolo started the 2024-2025 season off where he left off, averaging 29.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game on an efficient 50% from the field, proving his playoff run was not a fluke. Paolo’s significant improvement from last season had a tremendous effect on the Magic’s performance, resulting in a positive record. Paolo’s game draws comparisons to some of the greats, notably resembling Blake Griffin at his peak. Banchero’s blend of size, athleticism, and ability to attack off the dribble resembles Griffin’s play, especially in transition and around the rim. The next step for Paolo to take his game to the next level is improving his 3-point shot. Paolo struggled with three-point shooting during his time at Duke, shooting only 33%. He shot below 30% from three in his first season in the NBA but has increased his accuracy since then to 34% on the season. Banchero’s increase in three-pointers attempted per game, from 4.0 in his rookie year to 6.4 this year, shows signs of development and confidence as he’s averaging more 3PM, from 1.2 3PM in his rookie year to 2.2 3PM per game this year. If Paolo can elevate his three-point shooting, he will become an even bigger problem for defenders. Unfortunately, Banchero's season has temporarily been cut short due to an oblique injury keeping him out for 4-6 weeks, but if he can maintain those averages when he returns, he will undoubtedly be considered for an all-star team selection.
Nikola Jokic
The three-time MVP's appearance on this list may surprise some, as a player of his stature already has a reputation that precedes himself. Nikola Jokic won his first MVP in the 2020-2021 season averaging 26.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 10.8 rebounds. After another incredible season during the 2021-2022 season averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 assists, and 13.8 rebounds, Nikola Jokic joined an elite list of players to win back-to-back MVPS. After missing out on getting the three-peat to Joel Embiid, the Joker was back to being the best player in the 2023-2024 season, averaging 26.4 points, 9.0 assists, and 12.4 rebounds. With three MVP titles under this belt in the last four years, there was not much more we could reasonably expect from Jokic going into this season but the numbers he has been putting up seem straight out of a video game. The Joker leads the league in rebounds and assists per game, at 13.7 and 11.7 respectively, and ranks number 4 in points per game at 29.7. So far, he is averaging better numbers than any of his previous MVP seasons. The Denver Nuggets had a rough start to the season on back-to-back losses but with the help of Nikola Jokic, they were able to climb the standings. Nikola Jokic has had a remarkable start to the 2024–2025 NBA season, achieving several significant milestones. His historic triple-double against Dallas in which he had 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists made him only the second player in NBA history to achieve such a stat line, joining Oscar Robertson. For the first time in his career, Jokic has had back-to-back 40-point games, showing he still has not reached his scoring ceiling. Jokic also achieved 4 consecutive triple-doubles, which included a 37 point, 15 assist, and 18 rebound game. To put Nikola Jokic’s averages this season into perspective: Shaquille O’Neal’s career-high in points per game was 29.6, Tim Duncan’s career-high in rebounds was 12.9, and Chris Paul’s peak in assists was 11.6. Remarkably, if Jokic matched the career highs of these current/future Hall of Famers, his current season averages would go down. As of present, Nikola Jokic sits solidly at the top of the MVP ladder averaging a triple double. No one else can claim the number one spot after the season Nikola Jokic is having. If the Joker adds another MVP or two to his resume and secures another championship for the Denver Nuggets, it might be time to seriously consider him in the conversation for the Top 10 players of all time.
Underperforming
Mikal Bridges
Mikal Bridges had everyone’s attention this offseason after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets to reunite with his Villanova teammates, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on the New York Knicks. Bridges began his career with the Phoenix Suns after being traded on draft night by the Philadelphia 76ers. Initially coming off the bench, he solidified his role as a starter for the Suns during the 2020–2021 season, averaging 13.5 points, 2.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. He became a key player in the Suns’ playoff run, helping them reach the Western Conference Finals. Bridges is widely known for his defensive prowess, boasting a career average of 1.2 steals per game and a 113.3 defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions). In the 2021–2022 season, Bridges was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s premier wing defenders. He also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, just behind Marcus Smart. Bridges had an impressive start to the 2022–2023 season, increasing his scoring to 17.2 points per game over the first 56 games with the Suns. However, he was traded midseason in a blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix, landing Bridges on the Nets. This trade allowed Bridges to flourish as the first option in Brooklyn, with his scoring jumping to 26.1 points per game. He finished the season strong, setting the stage for high expectations heading into the 2023–2024 season. In his first full season as a Net, Bridges’ scoring dipped to 19.6 points per game, but his value remained high among teams due to his wide skillset. Bridges entered the 2024–2025 season with high expectations, fuelled by their established chemistry in his new home. His start with the Knicks has been disappointing, falling short of those expectations. So far this season, Bridges is averaging 15.6 points, 3.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting a career-low 30% from beyond the arc. He is also the only Knicks starter with a negative net rating, indicating the team performs worse when he’s on the court. Defensively, Bridges’ struggles have contributed to the Knicks ranking 19th in defensive rating. Offensively, he has also faced challenges, as a change to his shooting form during the offseason backfired, leading to a poor preseason where he shot just 2-for-19 from three-point range. His free throw percentage has also dropped to a career-low 63%. While the season is still young and there’s time for a turnaround, Bridges is looking more like the role player he was in Phoenix than the All-Star caliber player he was during his time with the Nets.
Tyrese Haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton’s start to the 2024-2025 season has been very underwhelming, considering he was the league’s leader in assists per game last season at 10.9 APG last season. He averaged 20.1 points, 10.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, getting him his first all-star selection as well as an All-NBA third-team nod. Not only did Haliburton have a great season, but he also took the Indiana Pacers all the way to the Eastern Conference finals. He took them to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2014, averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals on an efficient 49% from the field, defeating the heavily stacked Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks. With high anticipation, Haliburton was expected to elevate himself from previous seasons. Haliburton’s numbers have dropped drastically, with his shooting percentages taking the biggest hit. He is shooting a career-low from the field at 40%, with his 3P% below 30% and his FT% below 80% for the first time in his career. Haliburton caught fire when he was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Indiana Pacers, allowing him to become the primary ball handler. He was then joined by former Raptor’s all-star Pascal Siakam who helped take the Pacers to the in-season tournament finals where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Haliburton has demonstrated modest improvements in his defensive metrics this season compared to the last, indicating a positive trend in his defensive contributions. Haliburton still has time to find his rhythm offensively and show the type of player he can be. Regaining his efficient shooting will be paramount to his individual success.
Zion Williamson
Given Zion Williamson’s history of injuries, it won’t come as a surprise to see him on this list. Since being drafted in 2019, Zion Williamson has missed 42% of total games in his NBA career. Zion had an impressive rookie campaign averaging 22.5 points, 2.1 assists, and 6.3 rebounds but due to a torn meniscus to start the season, he only played 24 games. The next season was more promising as he managed to play 61 games, averaging a stellar 27 points per game, 3.7 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game on 61% shooting from the field, proving the hype he had built to be justified. He made his first all-star appearance that season at the young age of 20 years old. The year after was not great as he got injured again and missed the whole season. It was not looking good for the all-star, but he managed to make a recovery and was set to start the 2022-2023 season healthy. Williamson started the season off to a great start, averaging 26 points, 4.6 assists, and 7 rebounds per game on 60% shooting, and even made the all-star team selection as a starter. However, Williamson sustained a hamstring injury in early January 2023, which kept him sidelined for the rest of the season. It was not looking good for the Pelican’s all-star as the injury was only supposed to keep him out for a few weeks, but he managed to make a recovery for the 2023-2024 season. Surprisingly, Zion managed to play 70 games that season but the effects of the injury were noticeable as his averages dropped to 22 points, 5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game. The Pelicans managed to scrape a playoff berth, but Zion had to be sidelined due to another injury. Zion made a recovery in the off-season and was looking great, reportedly losing over 25 pounds. Zion started the 2024-2025 season looking good, averaging 22 points, 5.3 assists, 8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Although this was not his stats of years ago, he was back on the right track besides his poorer shooting efficiency. His defensive numbers were looking better, averaging over a block per game but not surprisingly, he sustained yet another injury. He has been ruled out indefinitely with a hamstring injury, the same injury which had kept him out for the remainder of the season in 2023. With the season just having started, the New Orleans Pelicans are taking caution and not rushing Zion back but from what we have seen previously, it could be a while, if even, till we see Williamson back on the court. With Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Hawkins all sidelined, the Pelicans are facing significant challenges this season, especially in terms of their health. Currently sitting 14th in the West with a 4-10 record, their outlook does not seem promising. Could this lead to the Pelicans pivoting toward a rebuild and tanking for a shot at securing the top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg? Time will tell.
