Five NBA players ready to explode in the 2026-27 season

Every NBA season brings a new wave of breakout stars, whether it's young talents taking the next step in their development or established players making the most of increased opportunities and playing time. With new rosters, changing roles and plenty to prove, the 2026-27 NBA season will be no different. Here are five players who could - and should - take that leap this season. Brandon Miller The Hornets drafted Miller 2nd overall in the 2023 NBA draft, and he has slowly improved in his first few seasons. This past offseason, the Hornets made a big move, trading their star point guard, LaMelo Ball, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. As a high-usage player, Ball's departure now lets Miller take on much more usage and volume as the Hornets' go-to scorer. Miller averaged 20.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 30.3 minutes per game last season, while nursing injuries. Miller suffered a left shoulder subluxation injury early in the season, missing 13 consecutive games, then played the rest of the season with a shoulder wrap. This past offseason, he underwent surgery to repair the left shoulder instability and a labrum tear. Miller discussed how the injury affected him last year and how he feels now. "Last year my shoulder just wasn't holding up. It was either popping out of place, feeling funny, or just 10/10 pain. Now just limiting that pain to 0/10. Shoulder is not popping out of place; it's been stable... I think that can take my game to another level." He's also just signed a 5-year USD$200-million contract extension. https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/2112287247106281557 Knowing all this, it only makes sense that Miller goes up from here and could become a potential all-star and 25-plus points-per-game player. Walker Kessler The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz this past offseason through a sign-and-trade, with Kessler receiving a 4-year, $130 million USD contract. The most obvious reason for his potential breakout is the Luka Doncic effect. Doncic is one of the league's best passers and makes it easy for every big man he plays with to get high-percentage looks under the rim. https://twitter.com/DStarkand/status/2112277104121585690 Former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has a career field goal percentage of 66.5%, however in his first full season with Doncic in LA, he averaged a career-high 76%, with most of his shots coming as alley-oop dunks or easy looks under the rim created by the Slovenian. Kessler is already an elite defender, averaging 2.4 blocks per game over his first four seasons; he can help anchor a Lakers defence that has struggled defensively in recent memory. Lakers coach JJ Redick has recently talked about using Kessler like the San Antonio Spurs used last season's Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. “I think it changes how we scheme overall," said Redick. “Not to get into details, but you guys obviously watched the playoffs. You probably have a basic idea of how San Antonio used Wemby and kept him low and kept him by the basket.” Kessler managed to play just five games last year after suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which required season-ending surgery. However, in those five games, Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. He will now enter the season fully healthy and ready to take on a bigger role and help the Lakers advance past the first round. Day'Ron Sharpe Sharpe hasn't averaged more than 20 minutes per game in any of his first five seasons, and he's started only 21 of 253 games. Now, with the departure of Brooklyn Nets' previous starter at center, Nic Claxton, Sharpe is in line to start on opening night and throughout the season and is projected to play 25-30 minutes per game. In limited minutes last season, Sharpe dominated, averaging 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 60% shooting in just 18.7 minutes per game. Now, with more minutes and a bigger role, his stats across the board are likely to improve. https://twitter.com/YESNetwork/status/2111229478315704697 If he remains durable with the bigger workload, the Nets could have their center for the future. Collin Murray-Boyles (CMB) The Toronto Raptors selected CMB with the 9th pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and he thrived as a rookie last year, averaging 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, shooting 58% from the field. Once the playoffs hit, he elevated even further, averaging 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. This earned him NBA All-Rookie Second Team honours. This past offseason, he has worked to transform his body, dropping 20 pounds from 245 to 225 while adding noticeable muscle. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic has praised CMB for his hard work this offseason. "He worked so hard this summer. We talked to him to get in even better shape. He put tremendous amounts of work this summer. I think he's ready to make the next step in his career." Rajakovic said Even with the addition of Kawhi Leonard back to the Raptors, CMB should still see an expanded role this season with a shared starting center role with veteran Jakob Poelt. He brings high energy, is a versatile defender who can guard most positions, and will provide an offensive spark with an improved three-point shot. https://twitter.com/KalshiHoops/status/2111941860415701326 Ausar Thompson Thompson enters his fourth season with the Detroit Pistons, and many fans already regard him as the league's best point-of-attack defender. Thompson received All-Defensive First Team honours and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Thompson's biggest weakness since entering the league has been his offensive skill set; from outside the paint, he shoots a below league average 25%. However, he has worked tirelessly this offseason on his jump shot, and has shown improved flashes through the Pistons' first few preseason games. Last season, Thompson averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2 steals per game on 26 minutes a game, and he looks likely to increase his minutes to around 30 per game, which would be a big boost to his confidence and overall output. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff has talked this offseason about increasing Thompson's offensive role, "We obviously want Ausar to have the ball in his hands. We believe if he takes a jump, our team, is going to take a jump. In order to do that, he's got to get that exposure." https://twitter.com/JJSebastianelli/status/2112242541143916632 If Thompson has improved his offence and thrives in this expanded role, the sky's the limit for him to take over.

Five NBA players ready to explode in the 2026-27 season

Brandon Miller, Walker Kessler and three more NBA players could deliver career-best seasons as new roles and opportunities reshape the 2026-27 campaign.

Day'Ron Sharpe

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