One of the most exciting things about each new NBA season is the number of surprises that lay in store.

Last season, fans were treated to the surprise to end all surprises when the Toronto Raptors trumped the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

A season of plot twists culminated with an off-season of unprecedented player movement that functioned as one the most expensive, must-see games of musical chairs ever seen in professional sports.

For the bulk of fans, upheaval and unpredictability are like honey to bees. It’s what makes trade speculation so addictive, and it’s why the Raptors ending the Warriors league hegemony would have been warmly received at NBA HQ.

Something else which keeps fans coming back, and which makes the league so alluring, is the introduction of new superstars each season upon the NBA landscape.

At this stage last year, Toronto’s Pascal Siakam was a lightly-used first-round pick who was averaging just six points per game coming into the new season.

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Within 12 months, Siakam has morphed into a key cog throughout Toronto’s championship run, averaging 19 points while winning the NBA's Most Improved Player honours. He’ll enter the new season as one of the most exciting talents in the league and a key figure where Toronto’s quest for back-to-back titles is concerned.

As we approach the new season, we've identified five young prospects that could be on the brink of becoming a fully-fledged NBA star.

BAM ADEBAYO, Miami Heat

The end of the Hassan Whiteside era in South Beach has given way to what many are predicting will be a much more fruitful Bam Adebayo period in Miami.

The former first-round pick out of Kentucky will be an integral part of a remodelled Miami Heat team that now houses star free agent, Jimmy Butler, as well as significant hope that they won’t miss consecutive playoffs for the first time in 18 years. 

While Adebayo started just 28 games last season he did take over as a starter late in the season. Over his last 18 games, Adebayo averaged 12 points per game (ppg) and 9.4 rebounds per game (rpg), with his insertion into the starting five very much corresponding with Miami’s excellent finish to the season.

Adebayo’s impact last season was best measured by the team-high 6.8 win share number he produced. While he was an excellent rim protector and defensive lynchpin, he was also an integral part of the Miami attack. When the young centre was on the floor last season, the Heat averaged 120 points per 100 possessions, which was a significant jump on the 107.3 they produced overall.

At just 21 years old, the six-foot ten product is still a raw talent with significant upside. Season 2019-20 may well be his break out campaign.

MIKAL BRIDGES, Phoenix Suns

In a short time, things changed remarkably quickly for the Phoenix Suns' now second-year swingman.

Fresh off winning a breakthrough college championship with Villanova, Mikal Bridges was taken with the tenth pick of the 2018 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, only to be dealt to the Suns soon thereafter.

It couldn’t have been a worst-case scenario for the young forward. The Suns limped to just 19 wins in his first season, which was the second-worst mark in the league, and which was to ultimately cost first-year head coach Igor Kokoskov his job.

While Bridges eventually solidified himself as a starter and averaged 29.5 minutes in his rookie season, his numbers didn’t jump off the page, with just one 20+ point game to his name while averaging only 8.3 points throughout the season.

His sophomore season, however, could be very different. New coach Monty Williams will likely employ a much steadier tempo, bringing the pace down a notch or two from what Kokoskov wanted.

Under the Serb, the Suns played at the 15^th quickest pace in the league yet committed turnovers at a 13.8% rate which was the second-worst mark overall. While the pace greatly affected the Suns, it had an even more detrimental effect on Bridges, who’d thrived at Villanova in a much more systematic, structured environment.

Ricky Rubio’s arrival in the desert figures to very much assist the Suns youn brigade, as well as Bridges. Ideally, they’ll play at a much more sensible tempo while not turning the ball over as frequently.

Being steadier at point guard will also allow their franchise star, Devin Booker, to flourish, while enabling 2018's #1 NBA Draft pick, Deandre Ayton, to not have to run up and down the court like an Olympic sprinter.

Season two figures to be markedly different for Mikal Bridges after enduring a very difficult rookie campaign.

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JONATHAN ISAAC, Orlando Magic

When you’re a six-foot ten, athletic stud whose sublime freshman season fueled one of Florida State’s best-ever college seasons in 2017, it was no wonder the NBA became intoxicated with Jonathan Isaac. Ultimately it was the Orlando Magic who was the lucky team to secure his services, drafting him #6 overall in 2017.

Isaac’s do-it-all game drew (unhelpful) comparisons with Kevin Durant and while there’s been nothing particularly 'KD-like' about the rather modest 8.5 points per game he’s averaged since entering the league, Isaac's numbers have steadily improved to the point many are forecasting him to take off this season. 

Over his last 21 regular-season games, Isaac averaged 11.1ppg and 6 rpg, while also hitting the three shot at 38%. Isaac grew into a crucial member of an Orlando team that not only broke a six-year playoff drought but also won their first division title since 2010. 

Steve Clifford’s first season as head coach in Orlando was a raging success. If they’re to take the next step and challenge the very best in the Eastern Conference, Isaac’s development progression toward stardom will have played a major role.

ZACH COLLINS, Portland Trailblazers

At just 19 years of age, Gonzaga’s Zach Collins took the college basketball world by storm, guiding them to their first-ever Championship final.

And while the Bulldogs fell agonisingly short, Collins established himself as a tantalising NBA prospect, owing to a nuanced game which was characterised by elite interior defence combined with an ability to step out and hit jumpers.

Collins parlayed his exceptional freshman season into being picked at #10 in the 2017 NBA Draft by Charlotte, with Portland immediately swooping in, trading picks 15 and 20 to ensure Collins would become a Blazer.

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While the Las Vegas product has started just one game in his two seasons in Portland, and even though the Blazers traded in Hassan Whiteside as their projected starting centre, Collins possesses a game which Portland knows will be crucial to their team’s long-term success.

Considering Collins is still so young and raw, it's better to assess his production through the lens of per 36-minute numbers stats. While his 13.6 points and 8.6 rebounds in that span are encouraging, what’s stood out most is the 1.8 blocks he’s averaged which ramped up to 2.9 throughout the playoffs. Collins has also hit 75 three’s since turning pro.

The Blazers juggernaut has continued to roll along in recent seasons, emphasised by qualifying for nine of the last 11 post-seasons, last year breaking through to its first Western Conference Finals in 18 years.

Collins’ growth as a pro may very well determine if Portland can continue to challenge at the very top of the Western Conference.

MARVIN BAGLEY III, Sacramento Kings

While Bagley placed seventh last year in Rookie of the Year voting, well back from the more acclaimed stars such as Luka Doncic, Trae Young and Deandre Ayton, it could be argued that his season was just as impressive.  

Bagley did basically everything in his rookie season, with the #2 pick out of Duke coming off the bench in his rookie season to average a very impressive 14.9 ppg, while being used in a variety of roles, with his 6 foot 11 frame in no way pigeonholing him to a specific position.

While the Sacramento Kings franchise has been a veritable train wreck for quite some time, it did show signs of major improvement in 2018/19, with their 39 wins constituting their best return in 13 seasons.

Over Bagley’s last 15 games he averaged 18.1 ppg while hitting the three at 41.2%, as he looked increasingly comfortable as a pro, perhaps justifying Sacramento’s decision to select him above the likes of Doncic and Young.

Incredibly, the Kings encouraging season led to the termination of Dave Joeger as head coach, with Luke Walton bought in as the franchise’s tenth coach this decade. It’s the kind of change that’s usually so disruptive and detrimental to a young player’s development, however, Bagley should still be able to thrive and progress towards inevitable NBA stardom.

Who are you looking at to break out in 2019-20? Leave a comment below, or join the conversation on the Stats Insider Twitter or Facebook page.