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Watching young NBA players make the leap to rotation contributor, starter or even star is one of the best parts every season.
We saw this last year from players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Deni Avdija, Neemias Queta, Ryan Rollins, Collin Gillespie and others, most of whom have now become household names.
Who are the players we should be watching heading into the 2026-27 season? The young (or young-ish) role players who deserve more minutes, shots and a bigger role in general?
The following 30 players could all make a leap this upcoming season and definitely deserve more respect than they currently receive.
Atlanta Hawks: Devin Carter, G (1 of 30)
Picture this; Sacramento Kings' lottery pick guard known for defense with a shaky outside shot flames out with franchise only to find new life with an Eastern Conference playoff team.
Enough about Davion Mitchell, however. We're talking about Devin Carter, of course.
Don't sell your Carter stock just yet. The 24-year-old was the No. 13 overall pick in the draft just two years ago and looked better in his second season. Carter has registered a positive swing rating in both pro seasons and averaged 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 12 starts in 2025-26.
The Atlanta Hawks have a lot of mouths to feed at the guard position, although being in a better organization with a veteran like CJ McCollum to learn from should only bring out the best in Carter.
Boston Celtics: Hugo Gonzalez, F (2 of 30)
A new-look Boston Celtics team is going to need a bigger dose of Hugo Gonzalez this season.
The 6'6" forward had some really nice moments as a rookie last year. He brings insane energy, rebounds at a high level and shot 48.4 percent from three over his final 19 games of the season.
Gonzalez is a strong, versatile defender who annoys opponents with his activity and intensity and will get a bigger opportunity offensively without Jaylen Brown. He's going to be a really good role player in Boston for years to come.
Brooklyn Nets: Josh Minott, F (3 of 30)
A 6'8" wing who's only 23 and recently became a 40 percent three-point shooter? What's not to like about Josh Minott?
A strong start with the Boston Celtics last year continued into his stay with the Brooklyn Nets, earning a new two-year, $9 million contract. Minott averaged 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and nailed 39.5 percent of his three with the Nets in 19.3 minutes per game.
With a wingspan that nearly stretches to seven feet, Minott has all of the physical tools to be a rotation player and beyond for the rebuilding Nets this season.
Charlotte Hornets: Tidjane Salaun, F/C (4 of 30)
Tidjane Salaun looked like a bust following his rookie season, as the No. 6 overall pick shot just 33.0 percent overall and 28.3 percent from three.
His sophomore campaign swung completely in the opposite direction, inspiring hope that his biggest weakness may have become a permanent strength.
Still just 20 years old, the 6'10" power forward knocked down 43.4 percent of his threes and could see a bigger role in the Charlotte Hornets' offense after starter Miles Bridges was traded to the Phoenix Suns.
Chicago Bulls: Tre Jones, PG (5 of 30)
Tre Jones has mostly flown under the radar in his six NBA seasons, a product of being overshadowed by his brother Tyus and playing for some bad San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls teams.
The 26-year-old has worked his way into becoming one of the steadiest playmakers in the league, however. He owns career averages of 7.6 assists to just 1.8 turnovers per 36 minutes, giving teams reliable ball-handling and offensive creation.
Jones' true shooting mark of 63.7 percent ranked 19th overall in the NBA, giving the Bulls some really good value given his $8 million annual salary.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Nae'Qwan Tomlin, F/C (6 of 30)
Nae'Qwan Tomlin is an NBA success story, working his way up from Exhibit 10, to 10-day, to two-way and now standard, multi-year contract.
He's become the ideal spark plug, backup big man to bring in when a team is looking sluggish on either end. Tomlin will crash the glass, defend the rim, play with energy and throw down some monster dunks to ignite the crowd.
Tomlin's feisty attitude is a good mix alongside Evan Mobley's and Jarrett Allen's laid-back personas, as the 25-year-old looks to establish himself as an every day member of the Cleveland Cavaliers' rotation this season.
Dallas Mavericks: Max Christie, SG (7 of 30)
Going from a second-round pick in 2022 to the starting shooting guard between Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg has been quite the rise for Max Christie.
The 23-year-old averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and shot 40.4 percent from three last season, starting 68 of his 77 games. Only future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson made more threes for Dallas.
For a franchise that now needs shooting and ball-handling around Flagg, Christie looks like a reliable starter for the Mavericks moving forward.
Denver Nuggets: Julian Strawther, G/F (8 of 30)
Last season it was Peyton Watson who made the leap from intriguing rotation player to franchise staple for the Denver Nuggets. Now, we could see a similar jump from Julian Strawther.
The 24-year-old wing is entering his fourth season in Denver, dramatically improving his overall game and outside shooting during this time. Strawther connected on just 29.7 percent of his threes as a rookie, a number that reached 38.7 percent this past season.
He's not just a stand-still shooter, however. Strawther has shown the ability to dribble-drive past defenders on the perimeter and get to the basket. If he develops into a strong defender this season, the Nuggets will have another big contract to make a decision on next summer.
Detroit Pistons: Daniss Jenkins, PG/SG (9 of 30)
Daniss Jenkins was one of the biggest surprises of the NBA season, beginning the year on a two-way deal.
He would later become one of the Detroit Pistons' most important offensive options, especially during the time Cade Cunningham missed due to a collapsed lung. In his 19 starts, Jenkins averaged 17.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists with 22 total stocks (steals plus blocks).
During his time as a reserve, Jenkins shot 39.0 percent from three and provided instant scoring and playmaking off the bench, necessary for a Pistons team who doesn't possess a lot of go-to options outside of Cunningham.
Golden State Warriors: Gui Santos, F (10 of 30)
With so much attention on the young core of Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody for the Golden State Warriors the past few years, Gui Santos has quietly become a staple in the team's rotation.
The 24-year-old earned a three-year, $15 million deal with a player option for his role as a do-it-all forward who plays well off surrounding stars. Santos knows when and how to cut, spaces the floor and can get to the basket with crafty finishes around his defenders.
In his 30 starts the 6'7" forward put up 14.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists and will be called on once again with Jimmy Butler missing the beginning of the 2026-27 season with a torn ACL.
Houston Rockets: Reed Sheppard, G (11 of 30)
Most of the Houston Rockets' young core is well known by now, although players like Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason have the most room to grow.
After Eason just inked an $80 million contract, it may be Sheppard who qualifies as the greater "hidden gem."
The 22-year-old guard finished seventh in Most Improved Player voting, although he probably should have been higher. Following a bad rookie season where he was picked No. 3 overall, Sheppard bounced back as a sophomore to help fill the shoes of Fred VanVleet who tore his ACL right before the start of the year.
Averages of 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 21 games as a starter is just the beginning. Sheppard should be starting over VanVleet even with the return of the veteran guard and is a big part of the Rockets' future.
Indiana Pacers: Johnny Furphy, G/F (12 of 30)
Johnny Furphy will miss the beginning of the regular season with a torn ACL. Even when he returns, it will be tough to crack an Indiana Pacers rotation that's stacked with depth.
So why the optimism surrounding the former second-round pick?
Furphy, 21, is an athletics 6'8" wing who pops off the screen at times. He can attack the rim with thunderous dunks, rebounds well for his size and has strong defensive potential. Furphy's three-point shooting improved from his rookie to sophomore years as well.
Even if he doesn't make a big impact coming back from such a major injury this year, Furphy still has star potential when fully healthy.
Los Angeles Clippers: Kobe Sanders, G/F (13 of 30)
One of the steals of the 2025 draft, Kobe Sanders was the 50th overall pick yet ended up starting 16 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season.
The 6'8" wing is part of a youth movement now in LA and should continue to be a big part of the rotation. He put up 10.6 points on 43.3 percent shooting from deep as a starter, keeping the floor spread and helping lead the Clippers to a top-7 finish in three-point efficiency.
Sanders should be in the mix to be the team's starting shooting guard this season alongside Darius Garland, although he's capable of playing three or four different positions at times.
Los Angeles Lakers: Jaden Hardy, SG (14 of 30)
A new-look Los Angeles Lakers team built around Luka Dončić will forever need shooters orbiting him. This is where Jaden Hardy could shine.
A former teammate of Dončić with the Dallas Mavericks, Hardy should be thrilled to be reunited. He excelled as a floor-spacer following a trade to the Washington Wizards with Anthony Davis last year, averaging 12.6 points on 42.0 percent from three.
Going into his fifth professional season yet having just turned 24 years old, we could see Hardy become one of the league's best shooters if he gets a regular rotation role alongside Dončić, Austin Reaves and others.
Memphis Grizzlies: GG Jackson II, F/C (15 of 30)
The Memphis Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr. primarily for three first-round picks, but they also may have unlocked GG Jackson II in the process.
The 21-year-old forward averaged 17.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and shot 50.9 percent overall and 37.8 percent from three in 27 games after Jackson was traded. No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer will be the Grizzlies' new starting power forward, although Memphis traded Santi Aldama to the Dallas Mavericks, ensuring there will be a healthy role for Jackson.
At 6'9", Jackson brings size and athleticism to the position. He's a crafty finisher when driving and showed off a reliable outside shot over the final few months of the regular season. With Boozer, Cedric Coward and Zach Edey the new faces of the Grizzlies, Jackson will be an important part as well.
Miami Heat: Myron Gardner, F (16 of 30)
Myron Gardner is the latest Miami Heat success story, as the then 24-year-old rookie filled a number of roles while going from a two-way to standard NBA contract.
Miami will need his shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, especially with Tyler Herro and Norman Powell now gone. Gardner made 40.6 percent of his threes last season and had a swing rating of plus-5.5, good for the 81st percentile via Cleaning the Glass.
Per 36 minutes of play, Gardner gave the Heat 14.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.7 blocks while splitting his time anywhere between shooting guard and power forward.
Milwaukee Bucks: Pete Nance, F/C (17 of 30)
After bouncing around the NBA for a few years, Pete Nance may have found a home with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 6'9" forward proved he can be a reliable stretch big, making 42.0 percent of his threes in 47 games for the Bucks. It was enough to earn him a new two-year deal with the franchise, and playing time opportunities should be plentiful following the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis trade.
The son of three-time All-Star Larry Nance and brother of 11-year-veteran Larry Nance Jr., the youngest of the three has worked his way into becoming one of the more underrated big men in the league.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Joan Beringer, C (18 of 30)
Despite playing a limited role as a rookie, Joan Beringer should be an exciting part of the Minnesota Timberwolves' future.
The 6'11" center still won't turn 20 until November and is already one of the most intriguing young shot blockers/rim protectors in the NBA. He put up 17.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per 36 minutes of play while shooting 66.3 percent overall.
A lack of spacing means he'll still need to play behind Rudy Gobert for now even with the starting power forward job up for grabs, but Beringer could be a high-level starting center in a few years.
New Orleans Pelicans: Yves Missi, C (19 of 30)
Yves Missi's role was reduced last season with the addition of rookie Derik Queen, although the second-year center was much better overall.
He's become a valuable rim protector who saw his block rate jump from 4.8 percent to 7.4 percent year-over-year. Missi's swing rating also leaped from minus-5.5 as a rookie to plus-5.4 during the 2025-26 season.
The New Orleans Pelicans currently have a log jam of talented, yet non-shooting big men in their rotation. Contenders and rebuilding teams alike should be interested in the 22-year-old Missi to plug into their starting lineup as a two-way force in the paint.
New York Knicks: Mohamed Diawara, F (20 of 30)
Mohamed Diawara was the 51st overall pick in the 2025 draft—just don't tell him that.
The rookie forward played with confidence and bravado as a surprising contributor to the New York Knicks' success last season. At 6'9" and 225 pounds, he can defend multiple positions and welcomes tough defensive assignments.
The shooting is legit as well. Diawara canned 42.1 percent of his threes over a 42-game stretch from late December towards the end of March, giving Jalen Brunson a kick-out option in the corner on most nights.
Losing Mitchell Robinson in free agency to the Boston Celtics may mean more of Diawara off the bench, possibly in some small-ball five minutes.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Jaylin Williams, F (21 of 30)
Jaylin Williams, or Jay Will, has become perhaps the most underrated part of the Oklahoma City Thunder's success the past four years.
The 6'9" big man can mix and match with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and any other power forward and center on the roster with his floor-spacing and mobility for someone his size.
Williams is a good defender, career 38.7 percent shooter from deep and just turned 24 a few weeks ago.
As the Thunder continue to load up on centers in the draft the past few years (Thomas Sorber, Aday Mara), Williams would be an attractive trade piece for other contenders if OKC feels like it can't afford to offer him a long-term extension.
Orlando Magic: Tristan Da Silva, F (22 of 30)
Tristan Da Silva has been the man the Orlando Magic have called on to fill in as a starter whenever Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner have missed time the past two seasons. Because of this, the 25-year-old forward has been plenty busy.
Da Silva has terrific size on the wing at 6'8". In 34 career starts he's averaged 12.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and made 38.2 percent of his threes, an important skill for a Magic team that's struggled from deep the past few years.
If Da Silva improves his playmaking and continues to develop as a defender, he'll look like a full-time starter in the league.
Philadelphia 76ers: Dean Wade, F (23 of 30)
One of the newest members of the Philadelphia 76ers, Dean Wade is one of the best 3-and-D forwards in the NBA.
The 6'9" forward is a terrific defender whose work is perhaps best demonstrated by his play on Brandon Ingram during the 2026 playoffs. Wade combines size, strength and mobility to body his opponents, stop drives and challenge shot attempts.
Wade's 36.7 percent mark from three doesn't jump off the page, although the veteran forward doesn't force shots and does all the dirty work that allows the stars around him to shine. He's a perfect fit on a Sixers team that will have a lot of mouths to feed.
Phoenix Suns: Oso Ighodaro, C (24 of 30)
Oso Ighodaro was a second-round pick by the Phoenix Suns in 2024 who's become an important part of the team's rotation.
He improved in nearly every area in Year 2, even starting 24 of his 82 games for the Suns. The 6'11" big man is a force at the rim on both ends of the ball and is a talented passer who averaged 3.7 assists per 36 minutes.
The outside shot needs to improve, as Ighodaro's average shot distance was just 4.1 feet this past season and the 24-year-old is a 49.1 percent free-throw shooter. In his role as a defender and finisher around the rim, however, Ighodaro has been a bright spot for the Suns.
Portland Trail Blazers: Toumani Camara, F (25 of 30)
Toumani Camara started to gain recognition in 2024-25 when he was named to the All-Defensive second team. A four-year, $81 million contract extension followed, although he's still not one of the first names you think of when discussing the Portland Trail Blazers.
Camara's role will be more important than ever this season, however. Swapping Jerami Grant for Ja Morant not only means more minutes available at forward but also more defense needed alongside a backcourt that's going to feature Morant and a 36-year-old Damian Lillard coming off a torn Achilles.
Camara is one of the best defenders in the NBA with his size (6'7", 230 pounds) and versatility. He's also a 37.0 percent shooter from three and one of just 18 total players to appear in all 82 games last season.
Sacramento Kings: Nique Clifford, SG (26 of 30)
The game certainly appeared to slow down for Nique Clifford in the second half of his rookie season, as the 6'5" wing looked far more comfortable over the final few months of the year.
Clifford showed off his overall game, averaging 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals and shot 35.8 percent from three over his final 28 contests and should be in for a bigger role in Year 2 with no DeMar DeRozan.
The 24-year-old's versatility was a big factor in his success and the Sacramento Kings were far better with Clifford on the floor last season (plus-9.7 swing rating, 94th percentile via Cleaning the Glass).
San Antonio Spurs: Carter Bryant, F (27 of 30)
There's a ton of young talent to like in San Antonio. Just don't forget about Carter Bryant.
The Spurs are going to need wings between Victor Wembanyama and guards like Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. While there's plenty of options on the roster already, Bryant has all the right tools to become the long-term starter at either small or power forward in San Antonio.
A strong, 6'6" frame is already years ahead of schedule for the 20-year-old. Bryant also made 37.4 percent of his threes over the final 36 games of the season and appeared in all but one of the Spurs' 22 playoff games.
This blend of experience and development should bode well for next season.
Toronto Raptors: Ja'Kobe Walter, SG (28 of 30)
If the final three games of Ja'Kobe Walter's 2025-26 season are any indication, the young shooting guard is poised for a breakout year.
Walter stepped in for an injured Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley to average 19.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 steals and shoot 43.3 percent from three on 10 attempts a game for the Toronto Raptors in their biggest contests of the season in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The shot is pure looking and the 21-year-old Walter is already a good defender. There's a ton of untapped talent here and a potentially bigger role if the Ingram and Gradey Dick for Kawhi Leonard trade ends up going through.
Utah Jazz: Brice Sensabaugh, F (29 of 30)
Brice Sensabaugh is one of the most underrated players in all of basketball.
The 6'6" wing has a sweet, high-arching shot that he can get off from all areas of the floor. In 22 games as a starter, the former Ohio State star averaged 20.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists while shooting 42.9 percent from three. If he were a few inches taller and played in a bigger market, every basketball fan would know his name.
The Utah Jazz have to make sure Sensabaugh doesn't get lost in the shuffle after drafting Darryn Peterson and trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. If anything, a Lauri Markkanen trade should be on the table to ensure the young wings on this team like Sensabaugh, Ace Bailey and Cody Williams can continue to grow.
Washington Wizards: Will Riley, F (30 of 30)
The Washington Wizards are going to look drastically different next season with Trae Young, Anthony Davis and AJ Dybantsa. Figuring out roles for all of the young talent the team has accumulated the last few years will be an important part of the franchise's short and long-term success.
Will Riley needs to stay in the Wizards' rotation. At 6'9" and with his scoring chops, Riley is a unique talent who won't turn 21 until next year. He finished his rookie season on a high note, putting up 15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game over his final 36 contests.
There's potentially a lot of hidden gems in Washington, although only the best will rise to the top with so much added talent next year.
