NBA surprises and disappointments: Embiid, KAT, Wemby, Jáquez and more

NBA coaches, scouts and executives share their most surprising and disappointing players from the first half, including Embiid, KAT, Wemby and Jáquez.

---

As we approach the midpoint of the 2024-25 seasonit is a good time to take stock of the situation in the NBA.

A mid-season preview allows us to explore which players have surprised and disappointedin relation to expectations. When we asked coaches, scouts and executives around the league for their picks, they had no trouble finding plenty of players for both categories.

So here’s our rundown of which players made the rosters and why as the NBA heads to the trade deadline and the All-Star Game in February.

---

Eight surprise players from the first half

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

After returning to New York in a spectacular transfer on the eve of training camp, Towns It’s been better than anyone could have expected. He is averaging more than 25 points on 55% shooting from the field (the best mark of his career), while leading the league in rebounds and helping lead New York to the third-best offense in the league. And while it doesn’t exactly apply to how he’s playing in New York, his departure from Minnesota has also been palpably felt.

“He’s been everything the Knicks expected and more, and his absence has left a bigger hole than the Wolves ever thought,” one scout said. “This is how you win a transfer.”

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Entering his fourth season in the NBA, Cunningham had a lot of questions to answer about his max ceiling, even after Detroit had given him a rookie max contract extension this offseason.

He’s answered almost all of them, setting career highs in virtually every category for the Pistons, who are now above .500 and a half-game out of sixth place in the East after beating the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. evening.

“When the Pistons gave him the maximum (contract), there were quite a few people who thought he was a risk,” one general manager said, “and he’s been very strong.”

“It hasn’t taken the biggest leap, but perhaps one of the most important,” said one executive.

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

It’s scary to think that even with his extremely high potential, and all the attention placed on him as a result, Wembanyama is still on this list.

And yet, it’s hard to argue with his place in it, considering he once again leads the league in blocks and has the Spurs firmly in the conversation for a play-in spot in the stacked Western Conference.

“What he’s doing is just ridiculous,” another executive said. “Say what you want about him living up to expectations, if he takes that roster to the playoffs, he should get MVP votes. And he could do it.”

Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

daniels He’s playing a career-high 33 minutes per game for the Hawks after being stuck mostly on the bench the last two seasons in New Orleans, and with more shooting around him and a bigger role. Importantly, his confidence on offense has grown dramatically, even though his shooting remains a work in progress.

At the same time, he also leads the league in steals with 3.1 per game. And in one of the most notable defensive statistics in the league, daniels He has 90 more deflections than De’Aaron Fox, who is second.

“A big part of him, for me, is that he fits much better (in Atlanta) than he did in New Orleans,” one scout said. “He never got the chance to play there, and the form was always bad. Now, he’s playing with a lot more confidence in a much better environment.”

Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls

Frankly, it’s a surprise that ball is even on the court after missing the last two and a half years due to knee problems. But the most remarkable thing is that, now that he has returned, ball He has immediately begun making the kind of contributions to winning that he was making before injuries derailed his career.

Although their numbers are not spectacular, this statistic is: Chicago is 10 points per 100 possessions better with Ball on the court this year than when he’s not there.making him an interesting possibility for teams as a free agent this summer.

“When he plays, he has a big impact,” one executive said.

“Someone is going to sign him next year and he’ll look smart,” another executive said.

James Harden and Norman Powell, LA Clippers

After losing Paul George in free agency and seeing Kawhi Leonard miss virtually the entire season so far due to injuries, the Clippers have a 20-17 record, which is a surprise. Their solid performance can be attributed to the play of their starting backcourt: Harden and Powell.

Harden He’s averaging 21.4 points and 7.9 assists, and even though his shooting percentages are down, he’s earned praise for keeping the Clippers afloat.

“They’re pretty good, and he’s the reason,” one scout said. “I know he’s a household name. But he was in a bad situation, and that’s not the case anymore.”

Powellfor his part, is a strong contender for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award this season, as he is averaging what would easily be a career-high 23.4 points on 48.7% shooting from the field.

“He’s had more minutes and shots,” one executive said, “but no one would have believed he’d make this leap at this stage of his career.”

Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets

As Brooklyn begins its rebuild, Johnson He is establishing himself as one of the key players to take into account in this year’s transfer market. His contract, worth $22.5 million this season, just over $20 million next year and $22.5 million in 2026-27, is attractive, particularly within the CBA limitations teams are working with this year.

Most importantly, however, he is averaging career highs in all statistics, including points (19.6), three-point shots (44%) and assists (3.0). A big forward with these skills generates considerable interest throughout the league.

“He has good synergy with (coach Jordi Fernandez) and has really let him loose,” one scout said.

“He’s playing without pressure on a bad team,” one executive said. “But he’s not young and I wasn’t sure he could make the most of this opportunity.”

---

Seven disappointing players from the first half

Paul George and Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Everything about his season has been disappointing. Preseason injuries Embiid they moved to the regular season, limiting it to 13 games so far. george He hyperextended his left knee twice and is having perhaps his worst season in a decade. Under increased pressure, Tyrese Maxey’s play has also dipped.

All of that fueled Philadelphia’s horrible 3-14 start, but thanks to the weakness of the Eastern Conference, such a start wasn’t a death sentence. The Sixers, now 15-20, are just two games out of the play-in.

But although several players on the team received votes for disappointment, most of the discussion centered on george and Embiid. Of georgeone executive said: “Philadelphia probably knew there was a chance they would have a tough year on this PG contract, but they probably thought it would be year four, not year one.”

Meanwhile, another executive said about Embiid: “Embiid has a lot of bad luck with injuries and plays through pain, so you feel sympathy for him because of that. But sometimes he acts so entitled that that goes away.”

Terry Rozier and Jaime Jáquez Jr., Miami Heat

Beyond the current drama surrounding Jimmy Butler, a big part of the reason the Heat have struggled to get by this season is the poor performances of Rozier and Checkz.

Rozier He was acquired a year ago, at the cost of a first-round pick and Kyle Lowry in a deal that saved Miami money and, the Heat thought, got them a player who would make a difference for several years at a shooting guard position. This year, however, Rozier has lost his starting job and is shooting his lowest percentages since his early days in Boston.

“He’s nowhere near the player the Heat thought they had acquired,” one executive said. “His poor play has played a bigger role in his season than is noticeable.”

The Mexican Jáquez, meanwhile, has not looked at all like the player he was last yearwhen he was a first-team All-Rookie selection.

“Maybe he had a rough patch his second year, maybe he played a little above his ability as a rookie,” one scout said. “It has regressed compared to the level it was at last year.”

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards

A year ago, the rebuilding Wizards could have traded Kuzma at the transfer deadline, but after the team consulted with him, the deal was not consummated. Now, it could be very difficult for the Wizards to find another opportunity to do so.

Kuzmawho will turn 30 this summer, is averaging just 15.6 points and shooting a dismal 26.6% from 3-point range while playing on one of the worst teams in the league, one that is clearly focused on the future.

“I know he’s had to deal with an injury,” one scout said, “but I think this has been the most disappointing season of his career.”

Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

It was expected that Hendersonthe third pick in last year’s draft, took a significant leap as a second-year player, as many young point guards and guards do after adjusting to the NBA.

Instead, his minutes have gone down and his numbers have held steady or fallen, a problematic development for a rebuilding franchise that needs some cornerstones.

“I thought it was a guarantee that he would play a lot better this year than last and show some things,” one executive said. “I was wrong. Their numbers have gone down and the visual test confirms it.”

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

The Jazz are doing everything they can to ensure they have a top pick in this year’s draft. But they have been unexpectedly helped by a certain slip of their best player.

Points, rebounds and shooting percentages Markkanen are down this season after the 2023 All-Star played the best basketball of his career over the past two seasons after coming to the Jazz in the Donovan Mitchell deal.

“He’s probably not super motivated because the team is failing,” one executive said, “but his numbers and overall level are down across the board.”