7 Intriguing Breakout Candidates for the 2026-27 NBA Season

Each season sees some new NBA breakout players. Names that were no more than an afterthought when making preseason NBA picks can transform into difference-making pieces.

Here are seven players to keep a close eye on in 2026-27.

Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors

Collin Murray-Boyles started 22 games last season and earned All-Rookie honors. He’s primed to be Toronto’s first man off the bench to get minutes at the four and five, but it won’t be a surprise to see him starting as a smallball center given Jakob Poeltl’s injuries and limitations.

Toronto was +6.6 per 100 possessions with Murray-Boyles and Scottie Barnes on the floor last year. The frontcourt of Barnes, CMB, and Kawhi Leonard is going to hellacious on defense, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a marked increase in Murray-Boyles scoring with Leonard drawing so much defensive attention.

Oso Ighodaro, Suns

Oso Ighodaro played 22 minutes per game in an encouraging sophomore campaign. He should get more opportunities with Mark Williams sidelined at the start of the season.

Per 36 minutes, Ighodaro had 2.6 stocks, 3.7 assists, and 8.3 boards to go with 10.6 points. Phoenix was +5.7 in his minutes and the Suns had great overall numbers when Ighodaro was on the floor with Devin Booker.

It’s easy to get lured in by the upside of Khaman Maluach, but Ighodaro has an opportunity to establish himself as a reliable starting center.

Tidjane Salaün, Hornets

After shooting 28.3% from deep as a rookie, Tidjane Salaün drained 43.4% of his deep attempts in inconsistent sophomore minutes. Mikal Bridges’ departure opens more opportunities for the third year stretch four.

Charlotte’s decision to trade Bridges and LaMelo Ball shows they are looking to the future. It’s worth getting an idea of what they have in Salaün, a former lottery pick, who has serious two-way upside with his length, athleticism, and shooting.

There’s a scenario where the Frenchman is a starter within a few weeks and averaging 10+ shots per game.

Kasparas Jakučionis, Bucks

The first of two Bucks on this list, Kasparas Jakučionis’ inclusion in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade was underdiscussed.

The second-year guard shot 42.3% from 3 as a rookie. He had some turnover woes in Summer League, but he’s got great court vision and showcased his pick-and-roll playmaking chops in college ball.

Milwaukee has a number of play finishers in the frontcourt to pair with Jakučionis. He’s got great size at the one and showed as a rookie that he’s more comfortable off-ball than some scouts thought ahead of the 2025 draft.

Kel’el Ware, Bucks

The second Buck, and one of those aforementioned playmaking forwards, Kel’el Ware shot 39.5% from 3 last season. His shooting made him highly effective alongside Bam Adebayo (+8.5 net rating), so we fancy Milwaukee to give Ware plenty of minutes next to Myles Turner.

The mix of shooting, length, and play finishing makes Ware a tantalizing prospect for the beginning of this Bucks rebuild.

A line of 18 and 10 with a couple of stocks per game is a realistic expectation for the third-year big man.

Hugo González, Celtics

The relentlessly energetic Hugo González had gaudy on/off numbers last season. He probably won’t start at the beginning of this campaign, but he’s going to be the first or second man off the bench. There will be plenty of starts down the line with Paul George guaranteed to miss time.

Look out for an uptick in usage from González’s 11.8% in 2025-26. The 6’6 wing averaged 8.2 boards and 2.1 stocks per 36 minutes last year and has the handle to run the offense in short stints.

The scoring average should be in double digits this year with the potential to get into the 14-15 range.

Cody Williams, Timberwolves

Averages of 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals over his final 19 games gave Cody Williams a shot with the Timberwolves, who are desperately short at the three and four after swapping out Julius Randle for LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga.

It’s little over a couple of years ago that Williams was a potential top-five pick. He ultimately went 10th to the Jazz and didn’t have much of an impact in Utah.

There are going to be sufficient opportunities for Williams to make an impression in Minneapolis, though. He should be straight into the rotation.