5 NBA Players Poised for Bounce-Back Seasons in 2025-26
The 2025 NBA offseason is winding down. While a few late moves are still to come, most teams have shifted their focus to rest, recovery, and preparation for training camp. Along with that comes renewed optimism — especially for players looking to put a disappointing 2024-25 season behind them.
Some are established stars aiming to reclaim their old form. Others are key role players hoping to reassert their value. Either way, these five names stand out as prime bounce-back candidates for the upcoming season.
Paul George – Philadelphia 76ers
Paul George’s first year in Philadelphia was far from the All-Star form fans were expecting. Limited to just 41 games due to injuries, George saw both his production and efficiency drop significantly. Part of the dip was due to a new role, but age was also a factor.
While a full return to superstar status may be unrealistic, a healthier George should still be a much more effective contributor — especially if Joel Embiid can stay on the floor and the Sixers can build a better system around him.
Lauri Markkanen – Utah Jazz
Markkanen entered last season fresh off two years of star-level production, but his numbers dipped sharply in 2024-25. Playing for a Jazz team that wasn’t prioritizing wins, his efficiency — including a drop in true shooting percentage to 57.1% — took a hit.
Utah remains in rebuild mode, but a stronger season from Markkanen would not only boost the team’s competitiveness, it could also enhance his trade value if the Jazz explore moving him.
Kyle Kuzma – Milwaukee Bucks
From 2022-24, Kuzma was a consistent 20+ points-per-game scorer for Washington, providing size, scoring, and athleticism. But last season, his game cratered — most notably from beyond the arc, where he shot just 30.7%.
Milwaukee doesn’t need Kuzma to replicate his Wizards production, but they do need him to be a reliable secondary scorer alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Entering his age-30 season, a return to form is within reach.
Scottie Barnes – Toronto Raptors
Barnes followed his 2023-24 All-Star breakout with a step backward last season, as his averages in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks all dipped. His efficiency also declined, and advanced metrics reflected a slight regression.
Still, at just 24 years old, Barnes has plenty of room to grow. With the Raptors expected to be healthier and more stable in 2025-26, he’s in a strong position to regain his upward trajectory.
Bruce Brown – Denver Nuggets
It’s been less than three years since Brown was a key piece of Denver’s 2023 championship run, playing heavy playoff minutes as a versatile two-way contributor. But after signing with Indiana and later bouncing to Toronto and New Orleans, his efficiency dipped to 50.4% true shooting, and injuries slowed him down.
Now back in Denver, Brown returns to a system perfectly suited to his game. Playing alongside Nikola Jokic again could be exactly what he needs to recapture his 2023 impact.
Bottom line: Each of these players has the talent — and in some cases, the track record — to bounce back in 2025-26. If they do, their teams’ ceilings could rise dramatically.
