Chris Paul (left) and Darius Garland have been plagued by injuries from time to time during the 2023-24 season.
There are dozens of candidates on this list, but we've narrowed it down to 10, which is possible between now and Race 82. There is no discrimination here, as this includes former stars, champions, at least one future Hall of Famer, and a rookie.
Thus, the 10 players who need to jump (in alphabetical order by last name):
1.Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns.
As the third round in the Suns' Big Three, Beal is the unhealthy and most productive of the trio. It's not that his season is bad, it's just that it's not very encouraging at the moment.
Where to make the leap: Phoenix has big plans. That's why the Suns traded Beal (and his huge contract) and put him together with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. As long as they're together, they're either winning or losing.
But they need a healthy and consistent Beal to stay above the threshold of a top-six playoff finish in the West. It would be a big help if he could score efficiently, save Durant from consuming more than 35 minutes a night, and take the burden off Booker as a point guard.
2.Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
A broken jaw put his season on hold, and oddly enough, the Cavaliers were doing well without him. Missing 24 games doesn't work wonders for anyone's motivation or mood, though.
Where to make the leap: Garland is a certified 20+ scorer, albeit a lot more than before the Cavaliers bought Donovan Mitchell and handed him the keys two years ago.
However, Garland remains a vital player, and if the Cavaliers are going to finish second in the East (Boston seems out of reach), then Garland will be necessary. He has been inconsistent since returning from injury, averaging just 13 points per game on 33 percent shooting in February.
3.Scott Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers.
Whatever could possibly go wrong, there are already problems with the much-hyped third-overall pick. Injuries – he currently has an adductor strain – poor shooting percentage (375%) and the loss of a starting spot.
Where the leap is needed: The Trail Blazers aren't going anywhere but to play the draft lottery again, so it's all about Henderson wrapping up an otherwise tedious rookie season.
Traditionally, this is the time of year when rookies step up after tackling tricky NBA transitions (more games, travel, games, etc.). For Henderson, it's possible. The more impactful the games he plays here, the more confidence he will inspire heading into the summer.
4.Benedict Maturin, Indiana Pacers.
It's an encouraging step forward for the sophomore, who looks more confident and consistent than he did last season. The Pacers no longer have doubts about his big shots.
Where to make the leap: The main reason the Pacers traded Buddy Hield was because of their trust in Mathurin. They feel he is ready to take on the starting position and all the responsibilities that come with it.
So far, it's been decent — Mathurin scored 34 points against the Toronto Raptors on Monday and 31 against Sacramento on Feb. 2. That's important because the Pacers need this, and more, to put themselves in the best position for the playoffs. The better he is, the better the Pacers will be in the next games.
5.Chris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks.
Currently, Middleton is sidelined with an ankle injury, and he has overcome two hurdles this season – injuries and a reduction in shots since Damian Lillard joined. He averaged 14 per gameEight points is the lowest since the 2016-17 season.
Where to make the leap: The Bucks are in an odd position — still qualified as contenders thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo's help, but are vulnerable due to poor defense and (so far) shaky adjustments under new coach Doug Rivers.
That's where Middleton stands out. He's no longer the defender he was two or three seasons ago — thanks to injuries — and he's now the third choice on the offensive end. Milwaukee needs to know if Middleton can get back on his feet and play before the playoffs. If so, the Bucks could be beasts again.
6.Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks.
Murray has been solid but unremarkable, having been a player most nights with the Hawks but has never been selected as an All-Star. It shows that he has reached the pinnacle of his playing career, at least alongside Trae Young in Atlanta.
Where to make the leap: Speaking of Yang, he was absent for about four weeks after finger surgery. Therefore, the floor belongs to Murray. He will have the ball and the green light and a chance to prove that he can lead this team in this role.
Whether the Hawks keep Trey Dejounte's backcourt or tear it apart will be decided this summer. Meanwhile, the Eagles are eager to stop the free fall and compete in the play-in. Murray has a big say in this.
7.Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors.
His first season with the Warriors was arguably the most frustrating of his illustrious career. Find ways to adapt to established rotations, deal with age and decline, deal with underperforming teams and recover from injuries.
Where to make the leap: After missing on Jan. 5 with a broken hand, Paul is back to provide the Warriors with depth to help them compete for play-in qualification or, in the best-case scenario, finish six in the top spot for an automatic playoff qualifier.
But it will be a challenge for the 19-year-old veteran to find meaningful playing time in the backcourt, as rookie Brandin Poziemski has taken those hours in his absence. Head coach Steve Kerr said Paul will get all of his playing time except for Stephen Curry. That's it, 10-15 per game?
8.Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets.
Porter's season has been typical of the Nuggets' recent games, with a season-high 34 points and 12 rebounds against the Trail Blazers and nine points (3-of-11 shooting) against the Warriors.
Where to take the leap: Despite Porter's fluctuating performances, the Nuggets are thriving because of Nikola Jokic. Denver could even end the ...... with the best record in the WestSo what's the downside of that?
Once the playoffs begin, Potter can't afford such an unavoidable repercussion. Keep in mind that he struggled a lot in the 2023 NBA Finals. Regardless, the Nuggets won the championship, but it may be too much to ask for another title in the face of Porter's slump.
9.Terry Rozier, Miami Heat.
He started from the bottom, and now he's here — from the rebuilding Hornets to the reigning Eastern Conference champion Heat. It was a mid-season trade that was welcomed by Rozier and the Miami Heat.
Where to make the leap: The Heat are in desperate need of help from point guards this season. Kyle Lowry ages rapidly and becomes a victim by the trade deadline. No one else on the list has enough quality to take his place.
So this work belongs to Rozier. But so far, his transformation has been a struggle. While his playmaking looks solid, he doesn't shoot less than 25 percent from three-point range (35 overall.)9%）。
The most important thing is how he adapts to the culture. For some, going into the locker room from a losing team and looking forward to the playoffs can be tricky.
10.Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans.
After a career interrupted by injury, Williamson finally returned to full (most of the time) and he leads the Pelicans scoring charts (22. per game).4 points) and shot 578%。However, he was not selected to the All-Star Game and lost in the semifinals of the in-season tournament.
Where to make the leap: There's a lot of talk about Williamson, mainly because his physical condition is still questionable. There's nothing he can do about it now. It's a chore for summer.
All he can do now is step up the rest of the game (rebounding, defense, outside shooting) to keep the Pelicans from faltering in the competitive West. Justified or not, the final collapse of New Orleans would have had a bad effect on him.