Players You Should Know Heading Into the 2023–2024 NBA Season

By Hayden Shapiro

Each new NBA season is exciting for every fan of the league. How will your team do? Will this rookie live up to the hype? These are questions that will be answered soon, starting tomorrow night. Something I love doing before the season is looking at potential breakout candidates. The best way to explain this article is this: What players posses the tools of a star? What players showed glimpses of fantastic play? Lastly, what players have a new role that may fit them better than the one they had with their previous organization? Given all these factors, let’s take a look at some players we should be paying attention to this year.

Saddiq Bey, F, Hawks

Saddiq Bey was dealt to Atlanta at the deadline last year. Coming from Detroit, where he was used mostly as a wing scoring threat, it was a big adjustment fitting into a team with plenty of that already. Something that flies way under the radar is his ability to defend guards and bigs. With a full offseason in the ATL under his belt, I expect more off ball plays for Bey and would not be surprised to see him defending the opposing ball club’s number one option. Him and DeAndre Hunter make a scary wing pair for other teams to face, especially when the Hawks are on the defensive end and in transition.

Nassir Little, F, Suns

Nasir Little was part of the Damian Lillard deal and I think the Blazers are really going to miss him. This suns team is so top-heavy, with star power like KD, Brad Beal, and Devin Booker, adding Little to it’s rotation is so crucial because of his unique ability to play multiple positions. If you are a college basketball fan, you may remember his uncanny mid range ability which he showcased more at UNC than in Portland, but now that he is the leader of this Phoenix second unit, we may see some more offensive output. He can bring up the ball and is a very good rebounder. He plays a lot like Josh Hart of the Knicks, but a better defender. Look out for him cutting down the baseline or even some pick and fades, as he has shown some three point ability over the last couple seasons. I love this fit for him in Phoenix.

Cam Thomas, G, Nets

If we are talking pure scoring ability from the guard position, Cam Thomas is near the top of the list. His ability to pull up from three out of a dribble is something you simply cannot teach. When the defender realizes his three point ability they step up on him, but his speed and ball handling skills allow him to finish at the rim as well. Thomas posses skills that very few people in the NBA do, but the problem is he needs the ball in his hands. Many games last year he did not see the court because of his lack of defense and inability to help the offense off-ball. I expect a change in this, as in the preseason he looked great, physically and surprisingly enough, on the defensive end. Thomas is a special player. Watch out for some more highlights from him and maybe even another crazy scoring stretch of games, because the play time is coming.

Honorable Mentions

Christian Braun (Nuggets), Jeremy Sochan (Spurs), Trey Murphy III (Pelicans), Deuce McBride (Knicks), Christian Koloko (Raptors)

To conclude, we will keep it short and sweet. Happy new year to all the basketball fans out there and best of luck to your teams!