Three players who have been pleasant surprises in the NBA preseason

On defense, Ivey’s energy has been relentless, frequently disrupting plays with perimeter strips and staying active as a general disruptor. He has the look of a player determined to change the team’s culture, doing the little things on the less glamorous end — fighting through screens, staying in front of his man and swiping at the ball in the post — to make life difficult for opponents.

While the league has seen many preseason heroes struggle to translate their success into the regular season, Ivey’s improved shooting stroke and commitment to playing intense, pressure defense both appear highly transferable.

Bobby Portis

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers’ decision to continue starting 36-year-old Brook Lopez at center is confusing at best. Although Lopez remains a valuable presence, he’s slowed down significantly, and his prime playing days are behind him.

Bobby Portis’s incredible preseason performance could force Doc Rivers’ hand. Portis is shooting 81.8% from three-point range on 3.7 attempts per game and an equally impressive 75.0% overall from the field. His scoring arsenal has extended far beyond catch-and-shoot opportunities; point guard Damian Lillard has made a concerted effort to feed Portis in the post and midrange, where he’s confidently knocked down an array of smooth turn-around jumpers.

Defensively, Portis may not offer the same rim protection as Lopez, but he brings relentless energy on the boards. Last season, he ranked 30th in the NBA with 7.4 rebounds per game despite playing a more limited bench role than nearly everyone who finished above him. Standing at 6-foot-10, he has the length to bother opposing centers in the paint, and he moves his feet well enough to switch onto smaller wings on the perimeter.

Portis won’t maintain his torrid three-point shooting percentage during the regular season. However, if he can carry some of his preseason touch into the Bucks’ 2024-25 campaign, he will not only provide a boost to Milwaukee’s aging roster — he might earn a much more significant role than last year.

Moses Moody

At the start of the preseason, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr announced that, aside from Steph Curry and Draymond Green, every spot in the starting lineup was up for grabs. It appears that Moses Moody is taking his audition opportunity to heart.

During his first three years in the league, Moody was primarily known as a catch-and-shoot threat, with over 50% of his attempts coming from beyond the arc. This preseason, however, he has showcased a significantly expanded offensive repertoire. Moody is confidently knocking down mid-range jumpers off screens, pushing the pace in transition and finishing with authority at the rim. He’s even leveraging his reputation as a sharpshooter to his advantage, using pump fakes to create driving lanes for himself.

Moody was a solid defender last season, closing the year out with a 115 Defensive Rating, one of the best marks on the Warriors. At 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he has the prototypical size to be a top-10 defensive wing in the league, a player capable of guarding positions 1 through 4.

Although Coach Kerr hasn’t officially stated who will fill Klay Thompson’s starting spot, Moody’s standout preseason performance has made him a strong contender.