10 NBA Players Poised for a Breakout in 2026-2027

The NBA is loaded with young, up-and-coming talent. Many players have already cemented themselves as household names around the league, but there are plenty of others who are on the verge of officially making a name for themselves. Here are 10 players who I believe are ready to take the next step in their development and establish themselves as major pieces for their respective teams.

Black took a huge step in the right direction during the 2025-26 NBA season. The 22-year-old finally found a path to consistent playing time and took advantage of the opportunity. Black played nearly 30 minutes per game while averaging 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

He will need to improve his three-point shooting after connecting on just 33.3% of his attempts last season, but there is plenty to like about his game. Black is a tremendous perimeter defender who can use his 6-foot-7 frame and athleticism to defend multiple positions.

If he can become a more consistent shooter and continue developing offensively, look for Black to become a major piece of this young Orlando team.

The former UConn Husky standout is beginning to show why he was such a highly regarded prospect coming out of college. Clingan is a handful in the paint, an outstanding rebounder and a legitimate shot-blocking presence.

His biggest strength continues to be his work on the glass. Clingan has already established himself as one of the NBA’s best offensive rebounders, and his ability to create extra possessions gives Portland a major advantage when he is on the floor.

Clingan is a double-double machine, and with another year of development under his belt, I expect him to take another major step forward in Portland this upcoming season.

The Hornets have made it clear who they are counting on to lead Charlotte into the future. Miller is entering a season where he should have an even larger role offensively, and I believe he is ready to take advantage of it.

Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season while shooting 38.3% from three.

I expect Miller to average close to 25 points per game while continuing to shoot around 40% from three. If he takes that next step, the Hornets could become a sleeper team in the Eastern Conference.

Miller is a tremendous young player who is poised to take an All-Star-caliber step in the NBA.

The second-year player out of Texas is going to have a big sophomore season in the NBA. The Wizards have a young roster with plenty of intriguing talent, and Johnson has an opportunity to become one of the team’s primary scorers.

Johnson averaged 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.0 minutes per game during his rookie season while shooting 35.8% from three.

He did not shoot the ball as efficiently as he would have liked, but Johnson is a tremendous shooter when he gets into a rhythm and can score in bunches.

The Wizards are counting on him to become the shooter and scorer they drafted him to be, and I expect his second season to be vastly improved.

Ware had plenty of ups and downs during his time in Miami. The 7-foot center did not quite take the next step last season, but he is still only 22 years old and possesses a very high ceiling.

A change of scenery and a larger opportunity in Milwaukee could be exactly what he needs.

Ware has shown that he can be productive even with limited minutes, and his size and athleticism give him the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. With a larger role, I believe he can become a consistent double-double threat.

I could easily see Ware averaging 15 or more points per game while increasing his rebounding numbers. He is going to thrive in Milwaukee.

The Memphis Grizzlies are hitting the reset button. They moved on from Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Ja Morant, but they still have some young and intriguing talent that is flying under the radar.

Coward was an All-Rookie selection last season after averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 33.8% from three.

He will need to improve his three-point shooting, but Coward is a scrappy defender with good size and length that should help him succeed long term.

With Memphis looking for new offensive contributors, Coward should have an opportunity to become one of the team’s main scoring catalysts. I believe he is going to break out in 2026-27.

Harper is one of the most exciting young players to watch in basketball. At just 20 years old, the poise he displayed during his rookie season was impressive, especially while playing a role on a San Antonio team with championship aspirations.

Harper averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 50.5% from the field and 34.3% from three.

The sky is the limit for Harper, and I expect his scoring numbers to increase significantly this season. With another year of experience alongside Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, Harper has everything he needs to make a major sophomore leap.

I expect Harper to be a very good NBA player for a long time and an important part of San Antonio’s continued success.

Buzelis quietly had an outstanding 2025-26 season. The 21-year-old averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field.

Chicago is giving him a larger offensive role heading into Year 3, and I believe he has a chance to become the next star in Chicago.

Caleb Wilson will generate plenty of attention, but Buzelis is a phenomenal athlete who can jump out of the gym, defend multiple positions and knock down shots from the perimeter.

Buzelis could be a sleeper All-Star candidate this upcoming season.

The Nets are clearly young and rebuilding their roster, but Sharpe is going to be a very nice piece of this team moving forward.

The 24-year-old signed a two-year, $20 million contract with Brooklyn this offseason, and now he has an opportunity to take the next step in establishing himself as a legitimate starting-caliber center.

Sharpe’s per-36-minute numbers have been eye-opening, and Brooklyn has performed better with him on the court in recent seasons.

With more playing time potentially available, Sharpe could finally have the opportunity to show what he can do over a larger sample size. If he can stay healthy and continue developing his offensive game, he could be one of the more underrated centers in the NBA.

For a 7-foot center, there may not be a better situation to land in than playing alongside Luka Dončić. Kessler is joining a Lakers team that has invested heavily in him, and he should have a significant role from the beginning. The Lakers acquired him from Utah via sign-and-trade and gave him a four-year deal.

Kessler is an outstanding shot blocker and rebounder, and his ability to protect the rim should give the Lakers a major defensive presence in the frontcourt.

I expect him to have a much larger role in Los Angeles and believe he can become one of the better young centers in the league. A 15-point, 10-rebound season is realistic, and if his offensive game continues to develop, those numbers could go even higher.

The 2026-27 season could be the year several of these players go from promising young talents to household names. Some may become All-Stars, while others could establish themselves as legitimate starters and key pieces on playoff teams. Either way, these are 10 players I believe are ready to take the next step, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we are talking about several of them very differently by the end of the season.