It's not too early to overreact to what we've seen since the start of the NBA's 82-game series. Historically, trends start to stabilize around the 20-game mark. Although it would be unwise to suggest that milwaukee bucks and philadelphia 76ers They will continue to be the last team in the league all year, but a lot of what we've seen so far feels real.
One of the best things about the start of a new season is being able to keep track of all the young players who are going to significantly change the game for the better. Not everyone can break out into All-Star status over the course of a summer, but players can grow into their bodies and roles while showing off new skills that change the trajectory of their careers. Unfortunately, injuries always take a toll. Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero would have been the first two players on this list had they not already been sidelined.
Here are seven young NBA players who have changed perceptions for the better so far this season. All players on this list are under the age of 24.
Evan Mobley, C/F, Cleveland Cavaliers
Mobley's numbers don't look much different from last year, but he feels like he's become a more confident offensive player. Mobley was already one of the league's best defenders before this year as a 7-foot tall, mobile rim protector. During the Cavs' historic 13-0 start, he finally started using methods to discipline his team when Cleveland had the ball. New head coach Kenny Atkinson allowed Mobley to increase his ball-handling reps and encouraged him to be more physical around the basket. The 23-year-old is finally playing strong, increasing his free throw attempts and usage rate, and slightly increasing his scoring from 25.3 points per 100 possessions last year to 28 points per 100 possessions. Mobley is He is also currently the league's leading scorer in cuts.. Atkinson has figured out how to make Cleveland's twin tower approach work without spacing, and Mobley's evolution is key.
Tali Eason, F, Houston Rockets
Sort NBA by box score plus/minusan all-in-one statistic that captures your on-court impact right away. The top five players in this metric are just the best five players in the league: Jokic, Giannis, SGA, Tatum, and Curry. No.6 is houston rockets third-year forward Tali Eason; Eason felt like he was robbed of a lot of money on draft day when he fell to the No. 17 pick in 2022, but he has shown his talent to the fullest this year. The 6-foot-8 forward is a buzzsaw defender, efficient inside scorer and transition threat. He is currently second in the league in steal rate and in the top 15 in block rate. Eason is shooting 77 percent at the rim, up from 56 percent last year, according to Basketball Resources. The 23-year-old is a disruption agent in Houston who can turn defense into offense in the blink of an eye and physically bully opponents on both ends. The Rockets still have to sort out which members of their young core they can actually afford to keep long-term, but there's no question Eason should be the cornerstone going forward.
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Bilal Koulibaly, F, Washington Wizards
A former teammate of Victor Wembaneyama in France, Koulibaly looked like a fawn last season as a 19-year-old rookie with the Wizards. This year, he's unleashed the physical arsenal that made him the No. 7 overall pick in 2023, and he's shown why he has many of the traits teams look for in a modern wing. Koulibaly is very long (7'2 wingspan) and has very explosive athleticism, jumping down the floor and finishing plays in transition and finishing at the rim. He has significantly improved his scoring efficiency since last year, increasing his actual shooting percentage from 54.3 to 65.7. Currently, Koulibaly is hitting an impossible 96 percent of his shots at the rim. by Basketball Reference. Even with three, he earns 37.5%. The Wizards are still in the early stages of a rebuild, but they have found a very athletic two-way wing in Koulibaly.
LaMelo Ball, G, Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball was an NBA All-Star in his age-20 season, so his performance this year may not come as much of a surprise. Ball's biggest issue has always been his availability, with injuries limiting him to just 58 games combined over the past two seasons. Ball, finally healthy again under new head coach Charles Lee, once again reminded us that he is one of the NBA's most talented creators who can take over a game in an instant. Their ball usage rate is currently tops in the league at 37.7 percent, but they are averaging 30 points per game with above-average scoring efficiency and are making the most of their opportunities. Ball was considered a questionable shooter in the draft, but that is no longer the case. He leads the NBA in 3-point attempts per game (13.1) and has a success rate of over 37 percent. Although his scoring has increased dramatically, he is still in the top 10 in the league in assist rate. Ball could still be wild in his decision-making, but he's definitely on the shortlist of the best guards in the East right now.
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Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Dyson Daniels, G, Atlanta Hawks
Daniels was traded to the Hawks from the New Orleans Pelicans this summer as part of the Dejounte Murray trade. On paper, he felt like a good fit next to Atlanta's Trae Young as a big, defensive-minded guard, but he needed to prove he could stay on the floor offensively as well. It's all happening. The 21-year-old has improved from 5.8 points per game to 14.3 points per game, showing off his break-up passing and transition finishing, even though his jump shot is still a work in progress. Daniels’ real impact is on the defensive end. He leads the NBA with 3.6 steals per game and complements Young's star-level creation ability with defensive versatility. The Hawks still need Daniels to shoot the ball better from the three, but having an athletic 6-foot-8 guard who can competently defend wings and guards and push the ball on the break is just that. That's what the team always needed next to Young.
Tyler Herro, G, Miami Heat
Herro was limited to just 42 games last season due to injury and was hardly seen as a positive player based on his impactful numbers. So far this season, he ranks in the NBA top 20 in BPM by increasing his scoring ability and establishing himself as one of the league's best shooters. The 24-year-old has knocked down 48 percent of his threes on nearly 10 attempts from deep per game since the start of this season. His quick trigger helps open up more driving lanes in the paint, and he is currently shooting over 50 percent from 2-point range for the first time in his career. Hero's handles look tighter and his confidence is higher than ever. He has become a true third-level scorer and has been the Heat's best player so far this season.
Jaden Ivey, G, Detroit Pistons
Ivey played with the shortest leash in the NBA last season as head coach Monty Williams was determined to play Killian Hayes (who is currently out of the league) over him. This summer, Williams was mercifully replaced by JB Bickerstaff, and the Pistons suddenly went from being a doormat to a respectable team. The emergence of Mr. Ivy is a big reason for this. The 22-year-old is a speed demon and forms a lightning-fast duo with teammate Cade Cunningham, another young player who has stepped up this season. Ivey is free to create touches in the paint with his bursts, which he uses to increase the frequency of his attempts at the rim. His 3-point stroke also looks a little more confident. Ivey still has a lot of room to grow as a defender and playmaker, but this is the year he fully became a fundamental part of Detroit's long-term future.
