Despite the Nuggets being crowned NBA Champions less than two months ago, the 2023-24 NBA season is quicly approaching. It is a fresh slate for every team and player, and a chance to make a statement.
NBA players primed for a bounce-back season: 5. LaMelo Ball
A former NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Star, LaMelo Ball has quickly emerged as one of the most entertaining and popular players in the NBA. However, 2022-23 was a lost season for Ball and the Hornets. In his third year as a pro, Ball shot a career-low 41.1 percent from the field while continuing to struggle immensely on the defensive end and turning the ball over at the highest rate of his career. It was also an injury-riddled season for Ball that saw him play only 36 games due to nagging ankle injuries.
Standing at 6-foot-7, Ball is a unique point guard who possesses the size and playmaking skills to see over opposing point guards and wreak havoc. He is a truly special talent that is able to do a variety of things and fill up the stat sheet in a hurry. Despite his above-average size for his position, he averaged three free throw attempts per game on 20 shots, which meant Ball was settling for a lot of contested jumpers/floaters and that led to wildly inefficient shooting nights throughout the season.
However, it was tough to pin all the blame on Ball for his decision-making. After all, the Hornets were one of the most depleted rosters in the NBA last year between injuries/suspension to Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Miles Bridges. The Hornets are prepared to be welcoming back all three of those players this upcoming season while also adding Brandon Miller and Nick Smith Jr. from this year's NBA Draft. Having more capable playmakers out there should take some pressure off of Ball while also enabling him to operate more off the ball, which should boost his efficiency.
NBA players primed for a bounce-back season: 4. John Collins
After seemingly being mentioned in trade rumors for years, John Collins has finally found a new home. Collins was sent to the Jazz this Summer in exchange for Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick after he recorded the lowest point and rebound numbers since his rookie year, along with the lowest field goal percentage and 3-point percentage of his career.
The Hawks continued to slowly phase him out of the offense as time went on, but at his peak in 2019-2020, he was a player who averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 40 percent from 3. Collins is also a proven shot blocker and rim presence that has averaged at least one block per game in five of his six seasons.
Collin' 3-and-D ability combined with the lob threat ability should keep him on the floor and could even allow Jazz head coach Will Hardy to play him alongside fellow Jazz big men Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Turning 26 in September, Collins is a talented player and proven commodity who is entering the prime of his career and should be looking forward to the change of scenery in Utah.
NBA players primed for a bounce-back season: 3. Jordan Poole
Another player who should be excited for a change of scenery — Jordan Poole was sent to the Wizards in exchange for Hall of Fame point guard, Chris Paul. While it hasn't been openly stated, this trade feels like it was a result of the turbulent season filled with drama surrounding Poole and Draymond Green. Poole and Green got into an altercation before the season even began and the friction seemingly lingered until the Warriors decided to send Poole to the Wizards.
Following the Wizards' decision to trade Bradley Beal, Poole is officially the guy in Washington. He averaged 20 points per game off the bench in Golden State last season while competing with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and more for offensive touches. Now, he is going to be the primary creator and scorer on a rebuilding Wizards team, where he will have the ultimate green light to do whatever he wants.
Off-court drama aside, it wasn't too long ago that Poole was viewed as the heir apparent to the Splash Brothers in Golden State while playing a major role in their 2022 NBA Championship. He was ultimately rewarded with a four-year, $128 million contract for his efforts and potential. Poole is a dynamic scorer and shot-creator with deep 3-point range and is capable of putting the ball on the floor. His ability to beat you in various ways off the dribble is a threat that defenders need to pay attention to before they end up on the receiving end of a highlight reel.
A fresh start for Poole, it wouldn't be shocking to see him average 25 points per game or more in his first season with the Wizards
NBA players primed for a bounce-back season: 2. DeAndre Ayton
It feels like a lifetime ago that Deandre Ayton was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Suns. For the amount of heat Ayton has taken over the years, he has been one of the more reliable centers in the NBA. That is just the expectations that come with the territory of being the consensus top pick in your draft class.
A career double-double player, Ayton averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds per game in 2022-23. However, as a 7-foot center, he leaves a lot to be desired in the rim protection department. That is where new head Frank Vogel comes into play. Vogel has continuously mentioned how much he is looking forward to working with Ayton and helping him get back on track after a couple of years of turmoil with former coach Monty Williams.
Vogel has developed a bit of a reputation for being able to get the most out of his centers — he helped turn Roy Hibbert into one of the most respected centers in the NBA during his time with the Pacers. In 2019, he earned the Lakers' coaching job where he helped propel the franchise to an NBA Championship by convincing the recently-extended Anthony Davis to play center, a position he has openly and adamantly been against playing.
Vogel's insertion as head coach and the acquisition of Bradley Beal should alleviate some of the offensive burden from Ayton and allow Vogel to maximize his potential on the defensive end.
NBA players primed for a bounce-back season: 1. Rudy Gobert
After what will go down as arguably the most lopsided trade in NBA history, Rudy Gobert failed to live up to expectations in his first year with the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves sent five first-round picks and five players (one of which ended up Rookie of the Year finalist Walker Kessler) for Gobert and all they had to show for it in his first season with the team was a first-round playoff elimination.
Gobert recorded his lowest points per game, rebounds per game, and field goal percentage since the 2017-18 season as the on-court fit alongside Karl-Anthony Towns was very awkward. Not to mention, Gobert has also been an awkward fit in the locker room and he punched teammate Kyle Anderson in a high-magnitude regular season finale versus the Pelicans.
However, Gobert is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and four-time All-NBA selection — the talent is there and he now gets a full offseason to work with Towns as well as Anthony Edwards to try and make the pieces fit.
After giving up the haul they did to acquire Gobert, the Timberwolves need this experiment to work. So, they traded for one of Gobert's former teammates, Mike Conley, at last year's trade deadline in hopes of making The Stifle Tower more comfortable with the team's system.
In 2022-23, Gobert recorded 1.4 blocks per game. This is the first season in which he didn't average at least two blocks per game and the lowest number he's posted since his rookie season when he was averaging less than 10 minutes per game.
Representing France in the FIBA World Cup this Summer should help Gobert stay in shape and enter the upcoming season with momentum. He is poised to bounce back in 2023.