Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been known to keep an eye on rising stars around the NBA, and he had some high praise for a pair of underrated players.
On Tuesday’s episode of the Mind the Game podcast (12:40 mark), James and co-host Steve Nash discussed the top “leap” players in the league this year, and James highlighted Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey and Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson.
An All-Star selection in 2024, Maxey endured an injury-riddled year last season, and he bounced back in a big way in 2025-26. The 25-year-old ranks third in the NBA with a career-high 31.1 points per game, and he’s also averaging career highs of 4.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.8 steals.
“I’ve worked out and trained with him over the last few summers,” James said of Maxey. “Every morning, 5 a.m., we’re in the gym, and you just see his dedication. Shows up on time, on target every single day.”
Johnson appears to be a shoo-in for his first career All-Star selection amid his breakout season. He leads the Hawks with averages of 23.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists. He’s tied for second in the NBA with seven triple-doubles this season, and he had a stretch last month where he recorded a triple-double in four straight games.
“I think the injury to Trae Young has sprouted even more of what Jalen is capable of doing,” James said. “They’ve put him at this Scottie Pippen role, where he’s playing like this point-forward. Not only is he scoring, he’s rebounding at a high rate and he’s dishing the ball.”
Nash highlighted the improvements of Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, who made the leap from averaging 16.9 points last season to 25.7 points this year. James agreed that he’s a “big-time player” and added that the Washington Wizards are “kicking themselves” for trading in 2024.
At 41 years old, James is nearing the end of his legendary career, so it certainly brings him joy to see more budding stars around the league.
“I just love the improvement,” James said. “I love seeing that in this league, where guys take advantage of their situation, or come in from their work that they did in the summertime and be able to apply it to the season and take full advantage of it.”
