The Unknown Players to Watch Out For in the NBA This Season

Huynh NguyenOctober 19, 2022

The Unknown Players to Watch Out For in the NBA This Season

The NBA season started on Tuesday, October 18 with the doubleheader of the Philadelphia 76ers visiting the Eastern Conference Champions, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers travelling to the defending NBA Champions the Golden State Warriors.

Whilst most of the build-up ahead of the season has centred on who will win the MVP and whether the NBA odds are right to have the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks as the preseason favourites, there is another area of intrigue for basketball.

Who will be the standout player of the season that no one is currently talking about? Will it be one of the highly talented rookies looking to make a name for themselves in the game? Or could it be someone like Tracy McGrady who came from nowhere to have the season of dreams in 2000?

Read on to find out about the unknown players most likely to capture the hearts and minds of basketball fans this season.

Luke Kennard

There were shocked faces around the NBA when the Los Angeles Clippers made the decision to award Luke Kennard a four-year, $64 million contract extension last season. Considering the Clippers acquisitions over the offseason, Kennard’s contract extension seems even more perplexing to the untrained eye.

To the tacticians and statisticians out there though, Kennard’s multi-year extension looks like good, solid business. The 26-year-old has earned the nickname ‘Cool Hand’ for a reason and could well be the difference maker when the chip are down for the Clippers this season.

(Cool Hand Luke showing his worth to the LA Clippers.)

Bennedict Mathurin

The favourite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year is Paolo Banchero, by an absolute country mile. Behind him in the running are Keegan Murray, Jabari Smith Jr and Jaden Ivey.

A name that we think should be way more involved in the conversation is Bennedict Mathurin. During preseason the Indiana Pacers man was in scintillating form, averaging 19.8 points per game.

As the season progresses, Mathurin looks set to be paired with 22-year-old Tyrese Haliburton who looks every bit the perfect foil for the young ROTY contender. Factor in Chris Duarte and the future looks very bright indeed for the Indiana Pacers.

Seth Curry

If the Brooklyn Nets point guard had a different surname he would receive much more acclaim than he currently does. Unfortunately for the 32-year-old he is often overshadowed by the exploits of his brother Stephen.

In terms of talent, Seth can do almost everything that his brother can but just with a little less regularity. Despite that, Seth is still known as one of the best three point shooters in the league and with that in his locker, he has the ability to make waves this season and perhaps come out from his brother’s shadow.

(If Seth Curry can start doing it on a consistent basis he can take the league by storm this season.)

James Wiseman

The number 2 pick from 2020 has been plagued by injuries since stepping up to the NBA and was forced to spend the entirety of last season on the side lines.

The 7 foot tall 21-year-old has looked in great shape during preseason, moving with freedom and confidence on the court.

If he can maintain his fitness throughout the season, he could very well be the biggest breakout player of the year. His ability to convert high percentage shots combined with his physicality makes him a major boost to the Warriors front court.

Robert Williams III

It’s been a big year for the thirds with Charles III ascending to the throne of England and Robert Williams III potentially ascending to the throne of the NBA. Okay, so technically Williams isn’t an unknown player, but he is a great shout to rise to stardom this season.

He was in great form last season, helping the Celtics on their march to the 2022 NBA Finals but there is still plenty more to come from the former Maine Red Claws man. If his year on year improvement is anything to go on, 2022/23 will see Williams reach new heights.

In Summary

The NBA is full of young, talented up and coming players and older heads with untapped talent looking to make their mark on the big stage.

Nah’Shon Hyland, Malik Monk and P.J. Washington are just three more that are worth keeping an eye on this season.

Who do you think is on the verge of greatness? Let us know in the comments section below.

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