We are now a little over a month into the 2024-25 season, and we’re starting to get a good feel for the level different teams and players are operating at this year. Uncharacteristic hot and cold streaks are beginning to end, but the sample size is remains small enough where some guys are still on insane heaters through 13+ games. Here are six of those over-performers and a verdict on if their exceptional play is for real.
Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield is the early favorite for Sixth Man of the Year and it isn’t particularly close. He’s been absolutely en fuego through his first month as a Warrior, filling it up from downtown and leaving nets sizzling in his wake. Hield has always been one of basketball’s elite shooters, but he’s on another level right now. Because of the absurd rate at which he’s knocking down triples (46.2% on 8.0 attempts per game as of the writing of this article), his overall production feels unsustainable. However, it’s more likely that Buddy keeps balling than you would think. Why? Nothing about his process suggests regression. In fact, the opposite is true. The righty sniper is a dream fit in Golden State’s movement-based offensive system. He was born to play their style of ball. He’s going to be getting the same type of looks all year, and he’s going to keep cashing them in. You should buy Buddy Hield being a new-age Splash Bro— or a Splash Buddy, if you will.
Verdict: Buy
Norman Powell
Talk about shooters who can’t miss this year— Norman Powell has turned into a human flamethrower. He’s averaging well over 20 points, pacing the Clippers in that category, and he’s backing up all the comments he made when Paul George left in free agency this past summer. Many are putting the 31-year-old in Most Improved Player talks, speaking to just how impressive his scoring has been. Powell has always been a bucket, but can he maintain this All-Star level of play? Probably not. Nothing about the veteran wing’s game has actually gotten better. He’s simply just going nuclear in a bigger role, and that role isn’t set in stone with an eventual Kawhi Leonard return on the horizon. Plus, his shooting success has been just too crazy to be maintained (48.7% from three on 7.9 attempts per game).
Verdict: Sell
John Collins
In the midst of what’s been a largely irrelevant season from the rebuilding Utah Jazz, John Collins has quietly been having a resurgence. While he isn’t quite the explosive athlete or lethal deep threat he used to be, he’s replaced what he’s lost in those categories with smarter, more well-rounded play on both ends of the floor. Many nights, he’s been Utah’s best player. That being the case for the remainder of this year is tough to buy. However, Collins could help a playoff team a lot and he’s a guy to keep an eye on when the trade deadline rolls around.
Verdict: Sell
Toumani Camara
This young man’s season hasn’t been as flashy as other names on this list, but it’s worthy of attention. As a rookie in 2023-24, Toumani Camara was one of the most underrated defenders in the sport. Now, he’s added another layer to his game: a 40% three-point shot. He’s looked extremely comfortable letting it fly from outside and as a result, the former second-round pick has become a full-time starter for the Portland Trail Blazers. Camara wasn’t supposed to be an efficient perimeter shooter this early in his career, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see his percentages drop over time. Even if that does happen, though, you should invest in as much Toumani Camara stock as possible. He’s the next Herb Jones. Bookmark it.
Verdict: Buy
Malik Beasley
Back in September, we wrote about how Malik Beasley could make the Pistons better this season. He’s been more valuable for this team than even we could have imagined. The marksman has scored 20+ points in his last five games (as of the writing of this article), contributing big time to Detroit’s surprising competency. Despite having a 19.6 PPG campaign under his belt, it’s unlikely that Beasley continues to operate at this high of a level. That said, though, coach J.B. Bickerstaff can still lean heavily on his vet as he’s proven to be a reliable presence night in and night out.
Verdict: Sell
Jordan Poole
After what was an incredibly disappointing first season in Washington, Jordan Poole is now back and better than ever. Not only is he confidently hosting Poole Parties once again and getting buckets in flurries, he’s taken massive strides as a leader. He’s improved defensively, showing he’s willing to take pride in doing what it takes to win games. He’s also been a mentor for other young Wizards like Bilal Coulibaly, taking them under his wing and helping them flourish. This is a matured version of Poole, the version people saw him growing into back during his Golden State days. This is who Jordan Poole is supposed to be.
Verdict: Buy
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