The first month of the season has been rough for some of the league’s biggest stars. Joel Embiid’s Sixers are sitting at a shocking 2-12, despite adding Paul George to the roster. Injuries and chemistry issues have turned what should’ve been a contender into a mess.
Paul George himself hasn’t been much better. Between missed games and a lack of impact, his partnership with Embiid is off to a rocky start. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton’s shooting has cooled off, and his turnovers are up, making the Pacers’ playoff hopes look shaky.
Even Jimmy Butler seems off. Miami’s counting on him to lead, but so far, his performances have been inconsistent at best. It’s still early, but these stars need to step it up—and fast.
1. Joel Embiid
Man, what is going on with Joel Embiid and the Sixers? A month into the season, Philly’s sitting at a painful 2-12 record, behind the Wizards for dead last in the league. This is a team that was supposed to be contending, especially after adding Paul George to the mix. Instead, it’s been nothing but disappointment.
Embiid, who was coming off another strong season but only 39 games in 2024, has been a shadow of himself so far. He’s averaging just 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting an uncharacteristic 37.9% from the field. Those numbers are way off from what we’ve come to expect from one of the league’s most dominant big men.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s some internal drama brewing. Tyrese Maxey reportedly called him out in a team meeting for being late to practices and meetings, saying it’s setting a bad example. Add to that Embiid’s three-game suspension for shoving a journalist who criticized him, and things are looking messy.
Between the shaky stats, team conflicts, and off-court issues, Embiid and the Sixers are in a rough spot. If this team wants to get back on track, Embiid needs to step up, clear the air, and start leading.
2. Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray’s start to the 2024-25 season has fallen short of expectations. Coming into the year, fans and analysts were hoping for a bounce-back season after his underwhelming performance in last year’s playoffs. Instead, his production has been inconsistent, and he hasn’t looked like the dynamic scorer or playmaker the Nuggets need alongside Nikola Jokic.
Through 10 games, Murray is averaging 18.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds, but his shooting has been a major concern. He’s hitting just 41.1% from the field and an abysmal 21% from three-point range. These numbers are a significant drop from the efficient shooting that made him a key piece during Denver’s championship run two seasons ago.
Murray’s inconsistency has forced the Nuggets to rely heavily on Jokic, especially in tight games. While the team is still a respectable 8-5, their offense has lacked the balance and explosiveness they once had with a fully operational Murray. The shooting slump and lack of rhythm have made it difficult for him to step into the second-star role the team desperately needs.
With a long season ahead, there’s still time for Murray to find his groove. But so far, his performance has been far from what’s expected of one of the league’s premier guards.
3. Tyrese Haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton started the 2024-25 season with a ton of hype after his breakout last year, but things haven’t really clicked for him so far. The Pacers are sitting at 6-9, which is not terrible, but definitely not where they’d hoped to be. And honestly, Haliburton’s been a big part of why they’ve struggled.
Through 15 games, he’s putting up 15.3 points, 8.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds, which sounds decent at first glance, but his shooting is all over the place. He’s hitting just 37% from the field and a rough 28% from three. For a guy who’s supposed to lead the offense, those numbers just aren’t cutting it.
The bigger issue? He hasn’t really stepped up when it matters most. The Pacers have dropped some close games—like against the Raptors (130-119) and the Magic (94-90)—and Haliburton hasn’t been able to take control late. He’s still got the playmaking chops, but the team needs him to be more of a scorer when the pressure’s on.
There’s plenty of time for Haliburton to turn things around, but for now, it feels like he’s playing way below what we all know he’s capable of. If the Pacers are going to get back on track, it starts with him finding his groove.
4. Paul George
Paul George’s transition to the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2024-25 season has been rocky. After signing a hefty four-year, $212 million contract, expectations were sky-high. George’s performance, at this point, has been underwhelming. In the only eight games he’s played, he’s averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 38.3%. These numbers are a dip from his previous seasons and not what the Sixers had in mind when they brought him on board.
Injuries have also played a part. George suffered a left knee hyperextension during a preseason game, leading to a bone bruise that sidelined him for the start of the season. His delayed debut meant the team had to find its footing without one of its key players.
For the Sixers to turn their season around, George needs to elevate his game and become the leader the team envisioned. His health and performance are crucial, but so is fostering better chemistry within the squad. The clock is ticking, and both George and the Sixers have a lot of ground to cover.
5. Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler’s start to the 2024-25 season has been a bit of a head-scratcher. After the Heat’s early playoff exit last year, expectations were that Butler would come into this season firing on all cylinders. Instead, he’s averaging just 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 47.8% shooting, which is a bit of a letdown compared to his usual elite numbers. These stats aren’t awful, but given his superstar status and the Heat’s reliance on him, they definitely fall short of the high expectations that come with a player like Butler.
What’s been especially concerning is his inconsistency in high-pressure moments. The Heat have struggled with overall team performance, and Butler hasn’t been able to consistently carry them like he has in the past. Whether it’s inefficient shooting nights or a dip in defensive intensity, it’s clear that he hasn’t fully found his rhythm this season.
Additionally, Miami has not been firing on all cylinders, with a 6-7 record, which is disappointing given the talent on the roster. If the Heat want to get back on track, they need Butler to step up and lead by example, especially on the defensive end where he’s usually a lockdown force.
On top of his play, there’s growing chatter about Butler’s contract. He’s got a player option for the 2025-26 season worth a whopping $53 million, but there are rumors that he’s not planning on extending his deal anytime soon. This has sparked speculation about a possible trade, with teams like the Warriors showing interest in his services. While Butler and the Heat have maintained that they want to keep things going, the uncertainty around his future is starting to become a bigger talking point as the season goes on.
6. Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo’s 2024-25 season has been pretty disappointing so far. He’s putting up solid numbers—16.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game—but for someone with his potential, those stats just don’t hit the mark. The Heat are counting on him to be a dominant force, especially with Jimmy Butler not firing on all cylinders, but Bam hasn’t stepped up the way they hoped. At 42.6% shooting from the field, he’s just not being as efficient as we’ve seen in previous years, and that’s been tough to watch.
He’s still grabbing boards and playing decent defense, but where’s the Bam who can take over games offensively? He’s had some good games here and there, but he’s been way too passive and hasn’t really imposed his will on the court. The Heat need him to be a consistent scoring threat, not just someone who fills in the gaps. Right now, he’s not doing enough to make the offense flow smoothly, and that’s really hurting the team.
On top of that, his role in the Heat’s offense feels off. He’s supposed to be the second star, but a lot of the time, he hasn’t been able to take over when it counts. He’s not being aggressive enough, and even when he’s given opportunities, he hasn’t made the most of them. For a guy who’s capable of so much more, it’s frustrating to see him just kind of float along in some games.
With the Heat sitting at a 6-7 record, this has been a rough start. Bam needs to find another gear, and fast. The team’s struggles are directly tied to his inconsistency, and if he doesn’t start playing like the star he’s supposed to be, the Heat are going to continue sinking further.
7. Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson’s 2024-25 season has been great, but when you consider how high he set the bar last year, he might be expecting more from himself. After making his first All-NBA team and leading the New York Knicks to a strong playoff showing, there were big expectations for him to pick up where he left off. So far this season, Brunson is averaging 25.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game, with solid shooting splits of 46.9% from the field and 40% from three. While those numbers are impressive in their own right, they don’t quite match the elite level he reached last season.
Part of the issue for Brunson and the Knicks is that they haven’t been able to elevate their play to the same level as some of the top teams like the Celtics or Cavaliers. The Knicks are 9-6, which is a solid record but still a bit far from the expectations they set last year. It’s tough to ignore that Brunson’s game, while still solid, isn’t having the same impact as it did during that breakout year. The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns has shifted the balance a bit too, and it seems like Brunson’s role has been slightly altered. With KAT now in the mix, the team has more offensive weapons, but it has also meant that Brunson doesn’t have to shoulder quite as much of the scoring burden.
While his scoring is still up there, and he’s contributing in other ways, Brunson hasn’t looked quite as dominant as he did last season when he was clearly the leader. The competition in the East is fierce, and for the Knicks to truly be considered a contender, they need Brunson to find another level. His All-NBA form from last year seems a bit out of reach right now, and if the Knicks want to keep pace with the big dogs like Boston and Cleveland, Brunson will need to rediscover that consistency and make a bigger impact.
8. Ja Morant
Ja Morant’s 2024-25 season hasn’t exactly gone as expected so far. After dealing with injuries last year and finally coming back, fans were hoping he’d pick up right where he left off, but that hasn’t really happened. He’s averaging 20.6 points, 9.1 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, which is solid, but it’s not the explosive, game-changing impact he’s known for. The Grizzlies’ 9-7 record shows that they’re still figuring things out, and Morant’s inconsistencies have been a big part of that.
His playmaking has been on point, no doubt, but his shooting—especially from three—has been a struggle. At just 25.8% from deep and 55.5% true shooting, he’s not giving Memphis the type of offensive firepower they need from him. Morant’s ability to score has been off at times, and when he’s not scoring at his usual clip, it puts more pressure on the rest of the team to pick up the slack.
Morant’s return should’ve been the spark Memphis needed, but he’s been a little too passive at times, trying to set up teammates rather than dominating himself. His explosiveness just isn’t fully there yet, and with other guys like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane stepping up, it’s been harder for Ja to stand out.
9. Lauri Markkanen
After getting a big five-year, $238 million extension with the Utah Jazz this offseason, the expectations for Lauri Markkanen were through the roof. The guy had a breakout All-Star year in 2023, and fans were hoping he’d pick up where he left off last season. But so far? Not exactly. He’s averaging 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, with 44.8% shooting, which is solid but not exactly superstar material. The Jazz are 3-11 right now, and even though Markkanen is still the top scorer, the team has struggled to find consistency.
His shooting efficiency has dipped a bit from last season, and while he’s still a solid scorer, he hasn’t had that same dominant presence that fans were hoping for after his big extension. The Jazz, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, have been looking for someone to take control, but Markkanen hasn’t quite been able to lead them to the wins they need. The Jazz are a rebuilding team, but when you pay someone big money like this, you expect them to elevate the squad, and that’s just not happening right now.
There’s been a lot of speculation about Markkanen’s future with the Jazz, especially with some teams reportedly interested in him in the trade market, like the Golden State Warriors and others looking to add a versatile scorer to their roster. But Utah locked him down for the long term, so it seems like they still see him as part of their core. The real question is whether his current level of play justifies that huge investment.
Markkanen has been solid, but he needs to step it up if he wants to live up to his new contract and help the Jazz get back on track. He has the talent to be a go-to guy, but he hasn’t quite proven it this season. If he can get back to the level he was at last year, the Jazz have a chance to start making some noise. But if this inconsistency continues, questions will keep swirling about whether this was the right move for Utah in the long run.
10. Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert has had a quiet start to the 2024-25 season. With the Timberwolves sitting at 8-6, Gobert’s numbers are steady, but they aren’t exactly living up to the hype. He’s averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, with a solid 63% shooting from the field, but that’s not the impact the Timberwolves need from a player of his caliber. His defense remains strong, but offensively, he’s not providing the kind of spark that the team expected.
With Anthony Edwards carrying the scoring load, Gobert’s role has mostly been limited to rebounding and rim protection. He’s still elite on defense, but the Timberwolves need more from him offensively if they’re going to compete with the best in the West. The team’s 8-6 record shows they haven’t quite found the right balance alongside Julius Randle in place of Karl-Anthony Town, and Gobert’s offensive limitations are part of the reason.
Gobert’s contract and the big trade that brought him to the Timberwolves last year continue to be topics of discussion. While he’s an elite defender, the question remains whether he can provide the offensive boost needed to help Minnesota become a legitimate contender. Right now, he’s not playing like the star the Timberwolves need alongside Edwards.
