Fantasy Basketball Breakouts for the 2025-26 Season

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Sep 26, 2025

With the NBA season approaching quickly, here are the players who I expect to break out this season. These players are either in better positions due to trades/injuries compared to last year or are younger guys who can see a jump in production due to overall development.

Devin Booker (PHX G)- Booker is one of my favorite players entering this season as he’ll finally be able to play a season as the primary ball-handler for Phoenix. Add in KD leaving Phoenix and Devin is due for a ridiculous amount of volume. Booker has elite scoring and assisting upside as Phoenix’s point guard, making him a prime breakout candidate entering his 2025-26 campaign.

Ja Morant (MEM G)- Morant enters this year as Memphis’ primary playmaker after Desmond Bane was shipped off to Orlando. Ja is coming off an underwhelming season, but will be due for a much larger workload entering this year with Bane gone. Even if his shot doesn’t improve (it would help him offensively if it did), Ja still possesses enough speed to be one of the best downhill threats in the NBA. Morant has the playmaking ability to be a dynamite scorer and passer without Bane in Memphis’ lineup.

Josh Giddey (CHI G)- Giddey struggled at times to begin last season, but exploded in value after Zach LaVine was traded to Sacramento, as his volume improved drastically. Josh averaged 20.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 8.1 APG, and 1.4 SPG on 49/45/80 shooting splits after Zach LaVine was moved. Giddey is primed for a huge role this year, given he’ll operate as a do-it-all primary playmaker for Chicago.

Jaylen Brown (BOS F)- With Jayson Tatum expected to miss the entire season, Jaylen Brown could have a career year. Brown has never had a season as the overall first option for Boston and this will be the first time where he won’t have to be a secondary scorer for Boston. While I don’t expect Brown to be a point forward for the Celtics, he’ll still see a boost in scoring and all around volume, making him a higher end option entering the 2024-25 campaign.

Deni Avdija (POR F)- Avdija performed at a high level in his first season with the Trail Blazers as he absorbed a larger workload for a Portland squad. Deni quietly dominated post all star break as he put up 23.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 5.2 APG, and 1 SPG on 51/42/78 splits. Avdija enters this year with top scoring option, Anfernee Simons, heading to the Celtics, which should allow him to pick up right where he left off.

Michael Porter Jr. (BKN F)- Porter Jr. was recently sent to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson. MPJ joins a younger, rebuilding Nets team where he should have a featured role as a leading scorer. While his on-ball creation is lackluster at times, Michael is a high level shooter who can rebound at a solid rate. MPJ will have more upside on the Nets as they’ll value his scoring and spacing.

Andrew Nembhard (IND G)- With Tyrese Haliburton slated to miss the entire 2025-26 season, Nembhard has displayed high level playmaking in past contests with Haliburton out, so he’ll be a shoe-in for Indiana’s starting PG next season. While I don’t expect him to completely replicate Tyrese’s production, Andrew is fully capable of making a leap as a full fledged point guard, compared to a secondary ball handler last season.

Shaedon Sharpe (POR G/F)- With Anfernee Simons in Boston now, Sharpe will be able to operate alongside Deni Avdija as a go-to scoring option for the Trail Blazers. Sharpe is an explosive athlete who can make a huge jump in scoring if his outside shooting can become more consistent. Simons’ departure will allow Sharpe to see an uptick in volume which bodes well considering he is advancing at a fast rate.

Alex Sarr (WAS C)- Sarr was inconsistent offensively to start his NBA career, but slowly improved as the season progressed. Following Valanciunas being traded to the Kings and more league experience, Alex had a better second half of his rookie season. If he can continue to raise his shooting efficiency, he already has proven to be a great all around contributor, which should allow him to take the next step forward in fantasy this year.

Donovan Clingan (POR C)- With Ayton headed to LA, I expect Clingan to take full advantage of a full time starting role. In games where he played over 25 minutes, he put up 9.9 PPG, 12.3 RPG, and 2.6 BPG on 52/32/61 splits. He is still improving as a shooter, but there is definitely potential to continue improving in that area. Overall, Clingan has the tools to become an elite defensive, lob threat center this year.

Bennedict Mathurin (IND G/F)- Similar to Nembhard, I expect Mathurin to benefit from the season-long absence of Tyrese Haliburton. Tyrese Haliburton’s volume will be difficult to replace, making it so Indiana will rely on Bennedict for more offensive production. Mathurin has proven to be a high level scorer when given the opportunity, which is why this should be his best season yet.

Ausar Thompson (DET F)- Thompson enters the 2025-26 campaign as the primary defensive stopper for Detroit. Ausar’s biggest drawback is his lack of offensive involvement, but he’s showcased enough all around upside when given the minutes. If Thompson can take a step forward with his 3PT shooting, he’ll be one of the better 3 and D wings in the league.

Cam Whitmore (WAS F)- With Bilal Coulibaly out to begin the year, look for Whitmore to see a larger workload out of the gate. Cam has 3 and D capabilities which gives him season-long upside. Whitmore could join the list of recent year 3 breakouts given he joins a team where he’ll actually be able to see meaningful minutes.

Matas Buzelis (CHI F)- Buzelis played sparingly to begin the season, but finally got meaningful minutes after Zach LaVine was shipped off to the Kings. Once LaVine was traded away, Matas put up 13.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.1 BPG on 49/37/81 splits. Buzelis should continue developing offensively and has the skillset/athleticism to take a step forward this year.

Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL G)- Milwaukee has a void at point guard with Damian Lillard getting hurt and then being shipped off to the Blazers. Entering this season, KPJ will have to compete with Cole Anthony for the starting PG role, but has already established more worth to Milwaukee (they paid him more than Anthony). Luckily, Porter Jr. has already proven his worth when Lillard missed time last year, as he established solid all around appeal in Damian’s absence.

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