The NBA playoffs are where a player’s legacy is truly defined. Sure, excelling during the regular season helps, but if a player falters when the playoffs come around—like Josh Giddy did last year—it can really hurt their standing in the league, no matter how well they performed earlier.
On the flip side, some players rise to the occasion, showcasing their talent in the clutch moments, often leading to more lucrative contracts down the road.
Here are five players who have significantly boosted their reputations during this year’s NBA playoffs. Before we dive in, I won’t be mentioning other players who may have also improved their stock this postseason. First up, Luke Cornett—it’s clear he’s earned his place as a legitimate NBA center (Celtics fans would agree). Next, Christian Brown, who has stepped up as a solid replacement for KCP. Then we have Jonathan Kuminga, who reminded us that he should’ve been getting more playtime under Steve Kerr. Ivica Zubac is definitely in the mix for the “most important Clipper” title, and the Thompson twins have emerged as two of the league’s top young defenders. It’s promising for all of them, and I could see future benefits for myself as a fan.
Now, let’s get to this year’s biggest stock riser.
5. Mitchell Robinson
Robinson hasn’t dramatically increased his scoring from the regular season to the playoffs, but he has clearly established himself at a higher level. He has transitioned from an injury-prone reserve (on a good day) to a valuable sixth man for championship contenders. His stats showcase an average of 10 offensive rebounds per 100 possessions, and he restricts players shooting within six feet to a 51.6% success rate.
True, he only plays about 18.5 minutes a game, but that’s not due to lack of shape or mobility. He actually shines as a boundary defender, exhibiting impressive footwork and using his length effectively in switch and pick-and-roll situations. Robinson has proven himself as a bona fide NBA center, especially noted by how the Celtics have had to hack him to keep him off the floor—something we wouldn’t have imagined midway through the season.
4. Alex Caruso
Caruso has long had a reputation as one of the best boundary defenders in the league, both during and prior to his time with the Bulls, like in the Lakers’ 2020 Championship run.
However, his role was somewhat uncertain during the regular season. Averaging 19.8 minutes a game, he was often the player opponents would disregard on offense, shooting just 35% with only 3.1 attempts from deep. Yet, in this postseason, Caruso has shown he’s indispensable to OKC. His three-point shooting has become more consistent, hitting 41.7% on 4.4 attempts per game. Defensively, he stands out in a team already packed with defensive talent. With a steal rate of 33.3%, he’s responsible for a significant portion of the team’s steals when on the court, and his performance against Nikola Jokić in Game 7 was particularly remarkable. Caruso has solidified his status as one of the elite role players in the NBA, even though his postseason role was a bit uncertain before it started.
3. Aaron Gordon
Gordon has always been a crucial player for the Nuggets, but his standout performances this postseason have definitely put him in the spotlight. His scoring has jumped from 14.7 points per game in the regular season to 16.2 in the playoffs—partly due to improved three-point shooting.
His defensive versatility allows the Nuggets to better utilize Jokić by placing him around non-shooters while Gordon steps up on the boards. Offensively, he has mastered the art of playing alongside Jokić, effectively understanding cuts and off-ball movements. If anyone were to teach a class on how to elevate one’s game by synchronizing with top players, that teacher would likely be Gordon.
2. Andrew Nembhard
Honestly, it feels like every player on the Pacers has seen their stock rise during these playoffs. Yet, Nembhard stands out as particularly deserving. He has escalated his scoring from 10 points in the regular season to 14.6 during the playoffs, suddenly emerging as a reliable three-point shooter. Where he struggled to hit 29.1% on 2.7 attempts per game during the regular season, he’s now hitting a commendable 50% on 4.4 attempts.
This isn’t just a matter of role players hitting open shots; his attempts are often challenging. He’s sinking difficult off-dribble threes and has developed into a genuine offensive creator for Indiana. Plus, he’s their best point defender and plays a critical role on that end. Nembhard has, without a doubt, become a standout performer in these playoffs. Last year might have seemed like a fluke, but what we’re seeing now feels quite real.
1. Julius Randle
Even before his recent playoff performances, Randle had a tough reputation to shake off. In the previous two postseasons, he averaged less than 20 points per game, with not-so-great efficiency stats (29.8% and 37.4%).
This year, though, he’s averaging 23.9 points per game, a rise from 18.7 during the regular season, while shooting 50.9% from the field. He’s been more careful with the ball, assisting more than he did in his previous runs.
His composure with the ball and the way he’s finally making shots that eluded him last postseason is noteworthy. Randle appears mentally focused, changing the narrative from his prior playoff struggles to now being a key postseason performer. If he continues this way, it could be one of the more significant stock rises we’ve seen during the NBA playoffs.
