NBA Teams With Players Who Have Made the Biggest Impact This Season
As I sit down to analyze this NBA season, I can't help but reflect on how certain players have completely transformed their teams' trajectories. What makes a player's impact truly significant isn't just their stat line—it's that intangible quality of changing games when it matters most, much like how the speaker in our reference material described that immediate understanding with their coach. That unspoken connection between player and coach often becomes the difference between a good team and a championship contender.
This season has been particularly fascinating because we're seeing players who aren't necessarily the biggest names making the most substantial differences. Take Jalen Brunson with the New York Knicks, for instance. When the Knicks acquired him, many analysts questioned whether he could be a true number one option. Fast forward to this season, and he's averaging 27.3 points and 6.7 assists while completely transforming New York's offensive identity. The Knicks have improved their offensive rating by 4.7 points per 100 possessions with him on the court, and their win percentage has jumped from .512 last season to .634 this year. That's the kind of impact that changes franchises.
Then there's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City. What he's doing with that young Thunder squad reminds me of those special players who make everyone around them better. The Thunder have improved from 24 wins just two seasons ago to potentially 52 wins this year, and SGA's leap from All-Star to MVP candidate has been the primary driver. His ability to control the game's tempo while putting up 31.2 points per game on ridiculously efficient 55% shooting from the field is something we haven't seen from a guard since prime Dwyane Wade. The way he's elevated that entire organization speaks volumes about leadership impact beyond just numbers.
What's interesting is how these impact players often develop that almost telepathic connection with their coaches, similar to what our reference described—that single look conveying everything. I've noticed this particularly with Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento. His chemistry with coach Mike Brown has revolutionized the Kings' offense. Sabonis is averaging 19.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists while shooting 61% from the field—numbers we haven't seen from a big man since Wilt Chamberlain. The Kings' offensive rating jumps by 12.4 points when he's on the court, and they've maintained a top-three offense in the Western Conference largely because of his unique playmaking from the center position.
The Denver Nuggets present another fascinating case study. While Nikola Jokić is the reigning Finals MVP, what Jamal Murray has done this season deserves more attention. His playoff performance last year was historic, but he's carried that momentum into this regular season, averaging 21.7 points and 6.7 assists while shooting 42% from three-point range. The Nuggets' net rating improves by 8.9 points when he's on the floor, and his partnership with Jokić has become arguably the most lethal two-man game in the league. There's something special about players who elevate their game when the lights are brightest, and Murray embodies that quality.
What often gets overlooked in these discussions is defensive impact. I've been particularly impressed with what Anthony Davis has brought to the Lakers this season. When healthy—and he's played 74 games this year, his most since 2018—he's been an absolute force. The Lakers' defensive rating improves by 6.3 points when he's on the court, and he's averaging 2.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while anchoring their defense. His ability to protect the rim while also switching onto perimeter players has been crucial to whatever success the Lakers have found this season.
The Boston Celtics deserve mention here too, though their impact feels more collective. Still, Jayson Tatum's consistency has been remarkable—he's on pace to play all 82 games while averaging 27.1 points and 8.3 rebounds. What's impressed me most is his improved playmaking, averaging a career-high 4.9 assists while reducing his turnovers. The Celtics have the best net rating in the league at +9.7, and Tatum's on/off numbers show they're 7.2 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court. That's superstar impact, plain and simple.
Looking at these examples, what strikes me is how the most impactful players often share that quality mentioned in our reference—that deep understanding with their coaching staff. It's not just about physical talent; it's about basketball IQ, emotional intelligence, and that almost instinctual connection that allows them to execute complex schemes seamlessly. The best players this season aren't just putting up numbers—they're elevating their teammates, executing their coaches' visions, and changing the culture of their organizations. As we head toward the playoffs, these impact players will likely determine who raises the Larry O'Brien trophy in June, proving once again that while basketball is a team sport, transformative individual talent remains the ultimate difference-maker.