Three Eastern Conference role players who could be X factors this season

With the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers improving significantly this offseason, and young teams like the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic looking to build on their playoff experiences, the Eastern Conference is poised to be deeper than ever. While the All-Stars will grab the headlines, it's the depth of talent — the unsung heroes and clutch performers — that will separate contenders from pretenders.

Let's explore three role players who could serve as X factors in the Eastern Conference for the 2024-25 season.

Myles Turner

While budding superstar Tyrese Haliburton and two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam often steal the spotlight for the up-and-coming Pacers, Myles Turner is frequently the decisive factor between victory and defeat. Under coach Rick Carlisle, Indiana utilizes a unique defensive approach focused on forcing opponents off the three-point line, resulting in the fewest long-distance attempts allowed in the NBA last season (2,404). However, this scheme can leave the paint exposed, making Turner’s presence crucial in preventing easy baskets.

In 2023-24, Turner recorded the ninth-best block percentage in the league at 5.5%. As the primary defensive anchor, he played a key role in helping the Pacers maintain one of the better field goal percentages allowed at the rim (68.8% from 0 to 3 feet). With journeyman James Wiseman in on a minimum contract and serving as the only other legitimate center on the roster, Turner must continue to excel as an elite defender if the Pacers aim to secure a top-6 seed in the increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.

Kelly Oubre Jr.

With one of the most expensive “Big 3s” in the NBA — Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey — the 76ers were strapped for cash this offseason as they looked to fill out their roster with quality role players. That’s why Kelly Oubre Jr. will be crucial for Philadelphia heading into the 2024-25 season.

Last year, while frequently tasked with guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter scorers, Oubre Jr. limited his assignments to an impressive 46.9% clip from the field. Slotted in at the shooting guard position in Philadelphia’s starting lineup, he will again play a vital role on defense, allowing Tyrese Maxey and Paul George to conserve energy on offense. In a conference teeming with elite scoring threats like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell and Pascal Siakam, Oubre Jr. will be pivotal for the 76ers’ success on the less glamorous end this season.

Khris Middleton

Three-time All-Star Khris Middleton’s days as one of the top wings in the league may be behind him. Sapped by injuries and father time, Middleton will have to settle in as more of a high-end role player alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in 2024-25.

Despite having two elite defenders in Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez last season, the Bucks finished just 19th in the league in Defensive Rating (115.8). Middleton’s capacity to shut down opposing wings on the perimeter, coupled with his secondary scoring and reliable three-point shooting, could be pivotal in determining whether the Bucks secure a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference or face a challenging first-round matchup against a team like the Celtics, Knicks or 76ers.

Middleton is recovering from two ankle surgeries, which will limit his availability during training camp, and there’s no certainty he’ll be ready for the season opener. However, once fully healed, his two-way contributions will be crucial for a Bucks team that lacks depth at the wing position.