After going through the list of NBA stars who will decline next season, we are switching it up this time. The 2025-26 campaign is shaping up to feature several stars who are primed for a resurgence or a breakout, ready to prove that their best basketball is still ahead of them.
For these players, improvement will mean more than better numbers; it will translate to greater impact on winning, elevated leadership roles, and more consistency across an 82-game grind. This group has all the ingredients to shift narratives in their favor, and as a result, here are five NBA stars who are poised to show significant improvement in the 2025-26 season.
1. Amen Thompson
2024-25 Season Statistics: 14.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Already one of the NBA’s elite defenders at just 22 years old, Amen Thompson is primed to take the next step toward stardom in 2025-26 for the Rockets. His defensive instincts and athleticism earned him All-NBA First Team defensive honors, but his offensive game is what will define his leap.Â
With Kevin Durant now in Houston, Thompson has the perfect mentor to refine his scoring and decision-making, learning how to pick his spots while playing off an established superstar. If his jumper and shot creation improve even modestly, he could emerge as a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate and solidify himself as the Rockets’ cornerstone of the future.
2. Paolo Banchero
2024-25 Season Statistics: 25.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Paolo Banchero is already one of the best young stars in the league, but his ceiling remains far from reached. Entering his fourth NBA season, Banchero is expected to sharpen his efficiency, cutting down on forced shots and becoming even more effective as a scorer within the Magic’s improved roster that welcomes Desmond Bane.
Beyond the numbers, his growth as a leader will be critical as Orlando continues its rise into playoff contention. With a deeper supporting cast around him, Banchero has a clear opportunity to showcase not just his individual brilliance but also his ability to elevate the Magic into one of the East’s most dangerous teams.
3. Jalen Johnson
2024-25 Season Statistics: 18.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Jalen Johnson’s two-way ability makes him one of the league’s most intriguing breakout candidates. After showing flashes of high-level play with the Hawks, the expectation for 2025-26 is a full leap into All-Star consideration.Â
His ability to defend multiple positions, push the ball in transition, and finish at the rim already makes him a winning player, but as his offensive consistency improves, his ceiling rises dramatically. If Atlanta makes a playoff push, Johnson’s all-around growth will be a big reason why, and his emergence could firmly establish him as the franchise’s long-term running mate alongside Trae Young and Dyson Daniels.
4. Andrew Nembhard
2024-25 Season Statistics: 10.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
The Indiana Pacers have leaned heavily on Tyrese Haliburton as their offensive engine, but Andrew Nembhard is in line for a major statistical and role-based leap with Haliburton sidelined for the entire campaign. Nembhard’s poise, court vision, and ability to control tempo already stand out, and now he’ll have the ball in his hands more often to showcase a more complete offensive game.Â
Expect him to increase his scoring volume while maintaining his efficiency as a facilitator, giving Indiana a reliable secondary playmaker. His expanded role in 2025-26 could be the spark that finally puts him on the radar as one of the league’s most improved players.
5. Matas Buzelis
2024-25 Season Statistics: 8.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.9 BPG
The Bulls’ sophomore forward Matas Buzelis is expected to grow considerably in Chicago’s rebuilding landscape. His size, fluid athleticism, and scoring instincts already make him a promising prospect, but what we expect from him is a better all-around offensive game that goes beyond shooting.Â
In 2025-26, Buzelis should benefit from immediate playing time and the freedom to develop without heavy pressure to carry the franchise just yet. With steady progress over the first few months, he has the tools to emerge as one of the most exciting young wings in the NBA.
