Players To Keep an Eye on in the Upcoming NBA Season

Wed, Aug 30, 2023
by CapperTek

The NBA is always full of talent and excitement, with players pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the court every season. With the upcoming season just around the corner, fans eagerly anticipate the emergence of the next generation of NBA greats. From rookies to up-and-coming stars, there are several players to watch in the upcoming season.

Chris Paul

The storylines surrounding the Golden State Warriors move for Chris Paul have come in abundance, with him being the best player to watch throughout the season.

This team already features some of the greats in the current game with the likes of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry, with the NBA odds putting the team in high regard this season. Paul hasn’t once come off the bench during his college, NBA season, and NBA postseason, something that is looking to change during his time with the Golden State Warriors and how he will compete with the extremely high bar the team has set.

It has to be mentioned that it doesn’t look like the team is tipping its hat so far regarding Paul coming off the bench. The owner of the organization, Joe Lacob, has been reserved in his comments mentioning the role of CP3, but it seems as if Paul will follow the header of Russel Westbrook. It is no secret that Paul and teammate Draymond Green have an ongoing rivalry, but Griven has expressed his desire to put the past behind them and work towards the future.

Another narrative surrounding Paul is that this could be his last dance. Being close to 40, his experience can hopefully come into play if the Warriors become title winners again.

Fred VanVleet

The signing of Fred VanVleet to the Houston Rockets this offseason is arguably the biggest free agent signing this offseason. Houston's ability to take the next step will be determined by how he performs on a young team with his newfound reach.

The three-year, $130 million deal VanVleet signed with the Rockets is the culmination of his career with the Toronto Raptors. Undrafted players have never been paid more than this since the NBA began. VanVleet stepped onto the roster of H-Town and has become the best player. Also, he's an experienced leader, at 29 years old, on a highly talented roster that includes Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore.

Only one All-Star nod has been given to VanVleet because of his humble nature. However, it's important to note that he has been a high-caliber player for years. His career-high average of 19.3 points and 7.2 assists per game was a career-high for him last season. In addition, he has a title under his belt, which most Rockets won't be able to say.

VanVleet does not seem completely satisfied with the money, but it also looks as if he will not reach the height of James Harden during his time at the Rockets. He’s a star but not an all-time great, yet still the best Houston has got. He is willing to work hard to get to where he wants to be, as with all other NBA players, but it’s hard not to compare VanVleet’s work with the other chance picks.

In Toronto — where he built his career from the ground up — he will take on similar responsibilities to Kawhi Leonard. How VanVleet adjusts to his new surroundings is a question that still begs to be answered, making him a must-watch for the season.

Anthony Edwards

The trade for Ruby Gobert didn't offer the expected returns, with Karl-Anthony Towns’ future unresolved. It is now time for Anthony Edwards to take control of his team on the court and get them where they need to be.

Edwards is entering his fourth season in the NBA, fresh off a season that saw him as part of his first All-Star game. During the 22/23 season, Edwards averaged career bests across the field with 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, hitting 45.9% of all his field goals and over a third of all his three-pointers.

It has recently been revealed that Edwards is changing his jersey number, reverting to his number five worn at school and college. A change like this often goes overlooked, but the significance that a number can bring to a player is considerable, primarily due to the number he developed into a first-overall pick at a school that isn’t known for basketball, the University of Georgia.

Edwards isn’t a player who is short of confidence, always looking to score with the utmost ease when attacking the basket. Last year, Edwards attempted close to 500 shots at the rim, a number that he is expected to try and push even higher. This summer will surely be a spectacle with Anthony showing that his ability can continue to improve himself and the team. Ant-Man will be training and competing with Team USA for the first time, with aspirations to play in the FIBA World Cup later this year.

One thing for sure is that the NBA season will be highly contested, with new players, old and young, choosing skill, desire, and experience to get ahead of the competition. These three players will make a difference for their respective teams and should all be watched closely in the season ahead.