The fact that Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has been able to play in 19 games so far this season is an achievement in itself, given that he missed the previous two-and-a-half years while dealing with ongoing knee problems. As Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps write for ESPN.com (Insider link), what’s even more impressive is how impactful Ball has been during his time on the court.
Although his numbers, including 5.8 points per game on .359/.318/.750, don’t look especially strong, Ball is once again making the sorts of winning plays that don’t show up in the box score. Chicago has a +6.9 net rating when he’s on the court, compared to a -5.0 mark when he’s not.
“Someone is going to get him next year and look smart,” one executive said to ESPN of Ball, who is on an expiring contract.
Ball is among several players identified by Windhorst and Bontemps as the pleasant surprises of the first half of the 2024/25 NBA season. Here are a few more of the names on that list:
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: “He’s been everything the Knicks were hoping for and more, and his absence has left a larger hole than the Wolves would’ve ever thought,” a scout told ESPN.
- Cade Cunningham, Pistons: “When the Pistons gave him the max, there were quite a few people who thought it was a risk, and he’s been very strong,” a general manager said.
- Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: “What he’s doing is just ridiculous,” an executive said. “Say whatever you want about him meeting expectations; if he gets that roster to the playoffs, he should get MVP votes. And he might.”
- Norman Powell, Clippers: “He’s gotten more minutes and shots, but no one would’ve believed he’d take this leap at this stage of his career,” an exec said to ESPN.
James Harden (Clippers), Dyson Daniels (Hawks), and Cameron Johnson (Nets) are among the others mentioned by ESPN’s duo.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, Heat teammates Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez, and Sixers center Joel Embiid are among the season’s biggest disappointments, as identified by Windhorst, Bontemps, and the sources they spoke to. Here are a few more of the players in that group:
- Paul George, Sixers: “Philly probably knew there was a chance they’d have a rough PG year on this contract but they probably thought it would be year four — not year one,” an executive said.
- Kyle Kuzma, Wizards: “I know he’s dealt with an injury,” one scout told ESPN, “but I think this has been the most disappointing season of his career.”
- Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers: “I thought it was a guarantee he’d play much better this year than last and show some things,” an exec said. “I’ve been wrong. His numbers are down, and the eye (test) confirms it.”
We want to know what you think.
Which NBA players have you been most pleasantly surprised or disappointed by so far this season? Are there any names on ESPN’s lists – or scouts’ and executives’ comments – that you strongly agree or disagree with?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts!
Amen Thompson
DARYL…..DARYL….DARYL.
76ers have a lot to fix
Defense is a biggest issue
Defensive field goal %
Maxey 46.8
George 45.5
Compare to wing or guards players
Jalen Williams 42.5
Durant 41.8
Ludort 41.8
Curry 41.8
Amen Thompson 39.1
Eason 38.9
Majority of wing starters are less than 43% this season
I didn’t think Westbrook would be a fit in Denver, but he’s found his groove after a shaky start. And Lavine turning into an efficient scorer… I don’t think anyone saw it coming. Franz Wagner was absurdly good from the moment Banchero got injured until he himself went down.
Utah should think about trading MarkKanen in the off season before that extension kicks in and his value plummets. He is becoming a offense only player with poor defense. a 7 footer that only gets 7 rebounds a game is not good.
His ext will be kicked in the first day be becomes trade eligible
You’re still miffed that Markkanen didn’t want traded to the Warriors huh?
Adding another Heat to the disappointing column, Bam has been surprisingly below par this season…Lowest fg% of his career by far, shooting poorly on the threes everyone was hopeful he could make after the Olympics, lowest ppg since his third year in the league; for a Heat team that really needs someone to step up now that Jimmy’s on his way out the door, it’s too bad that it looks like he won’t be that guy (at least offensively), especially because it looked like he could’ve been.
Disappointed in Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder (Warriors era only), Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski and Steve Kerr.
You don’t watch ball unless it’s a Warriors game lmao
The entire Warriors staff, players including should look into getting a restraining order. This stalker isn’t stable. I’m curtain Davey gets disappointed when the sun comes up.
Good on Ball for making it this far, I had doubts