Herbert Jones really stood out last season as a top role player, shining in defense and three-point shooting to help the Pelicans achieve a solid record.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura
In a preseason game against the Timberwolves, Rui Hachimura struggled with his performance. He had the lowest rating among starters and couldn’t keep up with Luka Garza. Despite having great physical attributes, his play was inconsistent. When he’s on his game, he can block shots and score from midrange and three-point land effectively. However, he often doesn’t show his full potential on both offense and defense.
If Hachimura steps up consistently, he could be key for the Lakers in their quest to rise in the Western Conference standings.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid
The Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns to manage salary cap issues but also because Naz Reid’s outstanding season made it easier. With Towns gone, Reid’s ability to shoot from distance is crucial for Minnesota’s offensive strategy. The starting lineup has some shooting challenges: Rudy Gobert didn’t attempt threes last year, Julius Randle hit only 31.1%, and Jaden McDaniels managed 33.7%.
Reidโs stats per 36 minutes were impressive compared to Towns:
- Naz Reid: 20 points per game (PPG), 7.8 rebounds per game (RPG), and 41.4% from three.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 24 PPG, 9.2 RPG, with a similar three-point percentage.
Fans believe that if Reid continues this way, it will open up opportunities for Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley on the court.
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga
With Klay Thompson leaving for Dallas, Jonathan Kuminga needs to fill a scoring gap for Golden State alongside Steph Curry. Kuminga is athletic and strong at driving to the basket but struggles with long-range shootingโonly hitting 32.1% of his threes last yearโwhich lets defenders crowd him inside.
If Kuminga improves his shooting range and passing skills (he averaged just 2.2 assists per game), he could become an essential player for Golden State as they aim for a high spot in their conference standings.
Basketball can be unpredictable; sometimes players surprise us by stepping up when we least expect it!
