5 NBA players who are having a breakthrough season

#3 Tyler Herro

Tyler Herro in action during Miami Heat v Brooklyn Nets

Tyler Herro received a lot of criticism last campaign after failing to live up to his expectations based on the kind of rookie year he had when the Miami Heat made it to the NBA Finals.

Herro didn't make the leap he was expected to in his sophomore year as he averaged 15.1 points, five rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest. His inconsistent showings led many to believe that the Heat could look to trade him away in the 2021 offseason.

Miami was reluctant to do so, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions they made ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. Herro is now one of the strongest contenders to win the sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player because of his breakthrough campaign.

He is averaging 20.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and four assists per game across eight games. He is shooting a career-high 45.7% from the field. Herro is currently the second-highest scorer behind Jimmy Butler for the Miami Heat. His performances have bolstered the team to a 6-2 start.

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#2 Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter during their game at Spectrum Center

Miles Bridges showed glimpses of his potential in a limited role for the Charlotte Hornets during the 2020-21 campaign. He averaged 12.7 points and six rebounds, shooting on a 50/40/85 split. The Hornets opted to make him a regular starter this campaign, and Bridges did not disappoint. Ten games into the season, the 23-year old has amassed 22.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest.

He also claimed the first Eastern Conference Player of the Week award of the season. Bridges has recorded four 30-point games already, helping the Hornets secure a 4-1 start to the season. If he continues his rich vein of form, the Hornets will have a legitimate chance of making it to the NBA playoffs this season.

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#1 Ja Morant

Ja Morant in action during Memphis Grizzlies v Los Angeles Lakers

2020 Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant has been a star in the making ever since he stepped foot for the first time on an NBA court. Morant did not make the biggest of leaps in his sophomore year. He seems to have used that as motivation this time around. He went from averaging 19.1 points last year to 25.2 points per game this season.

Morant has also improved his shooting efficiency, and is making a career-high 49% of his shots from the field, including 34.9% from the three-point line. He has had five games so far in which he has recorded more than 25 points. This includes a 40-point-game as well.

Morant's breakthrough campaign could see him bag his first NBA All-Star appearance this season if he continues at this rate.