Predicting every NBA team's breakout player for 2024-25 season

Houston Rockets - Reed Sheppard

There's been a lot of love going around for Reed Sheppard since he was selected this past NBA Draft. In fact, the ESPN staff is so high on the third overall pick that they voted him as the runaway pick for the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year (subscription required) shortly after dazzling in the Summer League. The Rockets have a good one on their hands, and he might be ready to contribute immediately.

Sheppard's 3-point shooting will be his greatest attribute. While he struggled to sink his triples in the preseason, opposing defenses will pay if they dare to leave him open too often - he shot a blistering 52.1 percent from deep in college last season. That type of electric floor spacing ability will allow him to be plugged into countless lineups, likely thrusting him into the rotation sooner rather than later.

Indiana Pacers - Jarace Walker

Despite being selected eighth overall in 2023, Jarace Walker did not play a key role for the Pacers in their run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. In year two, he will try to break into the mix for Indiana and further beef up their rotation. If the 21-year-old meets expectations, it will make Indiana an even more formidable foe than they were last year.

In the preseason, Walker showed eye-catching signs of two-way potential. Offensively, he sank 42.9 percent of his triples. Defensively, he used his 6-foot-8 height and 7-foot-2.5 wingspan to hound his matchups, logging 1.3 steals on average. It's that frame that makes Walker such an intriguing player, as he has all of the makings to become a household 3-and-D forward for this Pacers team.