Which players' stats will decline in the new season? US media reveals a list of six players: Brunson included along with two Hawks starters

On August 30th Beijing time, the renowned US media HoopsHype wrote about which players are likely to have declining stats in the upcoming season, naming six in total. Knicks' cornerstone Brunson made the list, along with two main Hawks players. HoopsHype clarified that they are not trying to predict injuries as a curse, but healthy players might still face relatively subdued seasons due to multiple factors. Here are the six players who may see their stats dip next season—

1. Brunson (Knicks)

With the departure of Thibodeau, Brunson might get more rest time (although Mike Brown also tends to overuse core players, so this may not necessarily happen). However, playing time is not the main reason Brunson is on this list. Under Thibodeau, the Knicks' offense often relied heavily on "giving the ball to Brunson to solve problems"; Brown prefers a more balanced offensive system like the Warriors', emphasizing team involvement. This means Bridges, Anunoby, and especially Towns will likely get more touches and offensive opportunities, probably at the expense of Brunson's usage.

A decline in Brunson's stats could actually be positive. Although the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the team aims to build a more diversified offense after replacing Thibodeau — a statistical drop would actually confirm the successful transition of the system.

2. Cameron Johnson (Nuggets)

Johnson is a talented player, but his defensive skills are overrated while his offensive abilities are underestimated. Can he replicate last season’s averages of 19 points per game with a true shooting percentage of 63%?

His efficiency might still hold up, but in the Nuggets’ critical lineup featuring Jokic, Murray, Gordon, and Braun, Johnson often ranks as the fourth or fifth scoring option, unlike his final Nets stint where he was the first or second option. With so many players demanding ball possession, Johnson will find it hard to reproduce last season’s impressive individual numbers.

Even if his stats decline, by the end of the 2025-26 season, Johnson has the potential to develop into a more well-rounded player.

3. Porzingis (Hawks)

The Hawks acquired Porzingis in a bargain "low buy" deal from the Celtics, who were eager to shed hefty luxury tax burdens. However, health issues have plagued Porzingis throughout his career. The Hawks might limit his minutes to nurture younger Onyeka Okongwu (possibly even reducing his starting role).

At his peak, Porzingis is superior to Okongwu and is expected to start most games, with the two possibly sharing the floor in "big lineups." But to maximize their strength, the Hawks must keep Porzingis healthy, which likely means his average minutes per game will drop closer to 25 rather than last season’s 29, leading to a decline in his stats.

4. Malik Beasley (Unsigned)

Though no longer a primary target of the federal gambling investigation, Beasley remains a person of interest who could face criminal charges. Even if he joins a team without suspension, recent personal controversies will undoubtedly cause significant mental stress.

Setting aside off-court issues, Beasley will struggle to replicate his remarkable shooting performance from the 2024-25 season. Last season, he attempted over nine shots per game with a three-point shooting percentage not below 41.6%. Only one player in the league has repeatedly achieved this — Stephen Curry (five times).

Between the difficulty of sustaining such a prolonged hot streak and his off-court troubles, Beasley is undoubtedly one of the most likely candidates for a performance drop next season.

5. DeRozan (Kings)

Throughout his 16 NBA seasons, DeRozan’s scoring efficiency has remained remarkably consistent. But now at 36 years old, signs point toward a significant upcoming decline in form.

Last season, the most worrying stat for DeRozan was that only 11% of his shots came from close range, compared to 25% in the previous year (his final season with the Bulls).

If DeRozan is limited to mid-range shots (he has never been a reliable three-point threat) and his defense continues to decline, how much value can he still offer? His aging curve has been quite gradual, but a more noticeable drop in stats is expected next season.

6. Daniels (Hawks)

Two Hawks players on the same list? Don’t misunderstand the Hawks’ potential for next season. On the contrary, this highlights their roster depth: apart from Trae Young, no player is required to carry the heavy burden of "putting up huge stats" every night because the team has many talented players capable of contributing in the rotation.

Daniels’ standout achievement last season was averaging 3.0 steals per game, becoming the first player in decades to reach that mark. However, based on data trends, his 2024-25 steals performance was likely a one-time peak. Further analysis of the Hawks’ roster suggests his playing time may be squeezed next season — Alexander-Walker has similar (though slightly weaker) defensive skills and is a much greater outside shooting threat. It’s likely that Alexander-Walker will receive similar "key moment minutes" as Daniels next season.

Porzingis’ arrival, Jaylen Johnson’s return from injury, and the addition of shooter Luke Kennard will probably all impact Daniels’ stats.