Contract year? Finally healthy? The new face in a successful place?
There are several reasons players across the NBA might be feeling a little extra pressure to perform in 2022-23. So The Athletic NBA staff decided to examine all 30 teams to pinpoint one player (or coach) with the most to prove on each squad.
Some choices might be expected. Others might surprise you.
Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter
The 2019 NBA Draft was expected to form a significant part of the Hawks’ core, with two top-10 picks, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Cam Reddish was a bust at 10th overall and traded to the Knicks. De’Andre Hunter was taken fourth overall after the Hawks moved up four spots in a trade with the Pelicans, but he hasn’t fulfilled his promise. He generally has been solid defensively, but he has missed 78 games with injuries the last two seasons. He’s been inconsistent offensively, and at times even a liability. Hunter is only 24 years old, so the Hawks don’t want to give up on him, especially given they parted with assets to get him. But he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the two sides don’t appear close to a deal. The Hawks need to see significant progress.
Boston Celtics: Malcolm Brogdon
It’s never easy being the new guy on the team — especially when it’s a group that was two wins away from winning it all. And while the Celtics’ Malcolm Brogdon deal with Indiana was widely celebrated as one of the best of the entire offseason, he still has to make good on all this enthusiasm that surrounds him. Add in the fact that reigning Defensive Player of the Year/point guard incumbent Marcus Smart is coming off a career year, and it’s easy to understand why there will be a fair amount of pressure on the 29-year-old Brogdon to elevate this already-elite program.
Brooklyn Nets: Ben Simmons and Steve Nash
Ben Simmons is returning from back surgery and hasn’t played in well over a year since his ugly ending in Philly. Can he return to being the franchise cornerstone he was and help keep the Nets relevant? As for Steve Nash, can he have a team stay healthy for an extended time and show what kind of coach he is? Does he impact winning and show he can develop players?
Charlotte Hornets: Gordon Hayward
Gordon Hayward’s injuries have destroyed the Hornets. They are the reason why James Borrego is no longer the coach there. A healthy Hayward would likely have vaulted Charlotte into the back end of the playoff bracket in one of the last two seasons. He is going to make about $30 million this season — he has to prove he’s worth it by showing he can stay on the court.
Chicago Bulls: Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball appeared in only 35 contests in his first season with the Bulls, largely due to left knee discomfort that required meniscus surgery in January. His recovery has been slow, and his availability for the start of the season remains in question. More than that, Ball has been available for only 65 percent of his teams’ contests through his first five seasons. This must be the season he stays healthy and in the lineup. With Ball, the Bulls are among the Eastern Conference elite. Without him, Chicago is ordinary.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Cedi Osman
I deliberated naming Collin Sexton here because he does have much to prove, not only returning from the meniscus injury but also if he signs the qualifying offer, he will have a prove-it year in terms of his next contract. I wrote recently about four Cavs players who have something to prove next season for various reasons, so we’ll narrow this list down to the one: Cedi Osman. His main priority for the 2022-23 season is to show more consistency in his overall game. During exit interviews at the end of last season, Osman said he believed it was his “best season so far” because he found his role in Cleveland. Yet Osman was in and out of the rotation in the latter half of the season. Osman has one year left on his contract for the 2023-24 season, but it is a non-guaranteed deal. He has to use 2022-23 to show he can contribute steadily to earn minutes and his spot in the rotation.