With the NBA season a quarter of the way through, it's a good time to analyze the performance of some of the emerging talents across the league. Each year a few players enjoy breakout seasons or play excellent basketball without being credited in the way they deserve. Here are four NBA players who have been killing it this season while staying under the radar in terms of their popularity. It's only a matter of time until each of these players is a household name.
4. Jusuf Nurkic - Blazers
Jusuf Nurkic has been a huge component of the Blazers' 12-8 start. The 24-year-old is enjoying a career year, averaging 15.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game across just 25.5 minutes per game. He's also coming away with a career best 3.9 offensive boards per game, providing second chance opportunities for the Blazers. He's shooting well, connecting at a career high 52.5 percent clip while posting a 24.5 PER rating, which is good for 13th in the NBA. Nurkic is looking better and better for Portland and his minutes could still stand to increase.
3. Nikola Vucevic - Magic
Nikola Vucevic was a prime trade candidate heading into this season, but if the Magic want to win games, they should keep him around. Vucevic has the seventh best PER in the league, posting a rating of 26.4. He's averaging 20.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. He's also showing off his range, knocking down 1.1 threes per game at a 40 percent clip and is averaging 30.8 minutes per game. In 20 games this season, Vucevic has logged 13 double-doubles and one triple-double.
2. Domantas Sabonis - Pacers
The Pacers may regret extending Myles Turner this offseason, because it's been the Domantas Sabonis show in the paint thus far. Sabonis is averaging 14.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists while leading the league in field goal percentage, knocking down 69.3 percent of his looks. He's provided the ninth best PER in the league with his 25.8 rating which ranks him one spot above Joel Embiid. Sabonis has been insanely efficient and has improved in every category across the board with his minutes still at just 24.7 per game.
1. Montrezl Harrell - Clippers
Montrezl Harrell is looking like the standout piece in the trade that sent Chris Paul to the Rockets for a huge package of players. After fighting for a chance in the rotation, 2018 has been Harrell's year to shine. Harrell ranks eighth in the NBA in PER with a 26.3 mark. He's averaging 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks across 25.6 minutes per game. Harrell is hitting shots at a 64.1 percent mark as he looks to establish his worth for the Clippers going forward.