The 2025-26 NBA season is still a few months away, but the Summer League and offseason hype always create excitement surrounding some of the league’s young talent. We’re projecting the next wave of breakout NBA players who will take huge steps forward next season.
Let’s dive into our list of NBA players we believe will break out in the 2025-26 season.
Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
Breakout NBA players
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Taken with the first overall pick in a 2024 NBA Draft class viewed as very weak, wing Zaccharie Risacher had a relatively quiet rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks. In his first 41 games, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged just 11 points per game, shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from the perimeter. Once he settled in, though, RIsacher showed signs of an emerging player. In his final 34 contests, Risacher shot 50.8 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 14.4 points per game. He just turned 20 years old in April and his arrow is pointing way up. Risacher is going to make the leap next season, averaging 15-plus PPG while providing above-average defense on the wing to help Atlanta become a top-four team in the Eastern Conference.
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Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers
Breakout NBA players
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The Portland Trail Blazers struck gold in September 2023, acquiring Toumani Camara from the Phoenix Suns. After being selected with the 52nd overall pick just months earlier, the 6-foot-8 forward showed impressive flashes defensively as a rookie. He then took another step forward in his sophomore season, earning All-Defensive Second Team honors. Already regarded as one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, scoring is the next evolution of his game. After the All-Star Break, he shot 40.3 percent from beyond the arc, making 2.3 three-pointers per game and averaging 13.8 points per night. Poised to get more opportunities this season following the Anfernee Simons trade, Camara will put himself in the running for Most Improved Player, and he’ll shoot 40 percent from three-point range while earning All-Defensive First Team honors with a rising Trail Blazers team.
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Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Breakout NBA players
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Before suffering a fractured wrist, facial lacerations, and a concussion in April, the Memphis Grizzlies’ second-round pick Jaylen Wells put himself in the mix for NBA Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old wing was remarkable from November through January, averaging 12 PPG on strong shooting splits (45.4 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from the perimeter). He hit a rookie wall in his final 31 games, but the Grizzlies saw more than enough from him to trade Desmond Bane. Poised to receive more shots and minutes, Wells is set to be one of the best NBA players age 22 or younger next season.
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Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
Breakout NBA players
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Sacramento, California, could be responsible for a pair of breakout NBA players next season. Jaylen Wells, the 16th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, looked every bit like a former five-star recruit in his rookie season. Meanwhile, Jared McCain, before suffering a meniscus tear in mid-December, led all rookies in scoring (15.3 PPG) and three-pointers made per game (2.2). He even scored 20-plus points in 35 percent of his games played during his debut season. While McCain will certainly have to share the ball more in his sophomore season on a healthier 76ers roster, his overall impact over a full season will lead to a breakthrough year.
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Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
Breakout NBA players
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For most of our breakout NBA player picks, it’s about young talent emerging as key starters next season. With Houston Rockets wing Amen Thompson, it’s about making the leap to stardom. He improved as a rebounder (from 6.6 to 8.2 RPG) and distributor (from 2.6 to 3.8 APG), but the most significant progress came as a shooter (from 53.6 percent to 55.7 percent). Across his final 37 regular-season games, Thompson averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3.2 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game. The 22-year-old also earned All-Defensive First Team honors. Next season, Thompson is poised to emerge as an All-Star and one of the best wings in the Western Conference.
NFL, MLB & college football writer for Sportsnaut. Graduated from San Diego State University with BA in Journalism, 2019. ... More about Matt Johnson