Every year, some players hold high expectations, whether that is a new situation or underlying stats are in their favor, and they are expected to succeed in the next season. However, there are reasons why players show regression, whether they are fitting in with a new team or age is getting the best of them. Last week I wrote an article titled, “Standout NBA Players Showing Big Growth in 2025“, which talked about some of the most improved players so far through the 2025 season. Unfortunately, with all the players that have improved come the players who have regressed.
In this article, I will be breaking down four players with high expectations heading into the 2025 season and have struggled on the court. In my decision for these specific players, I took account of expectation, team, and prior resume.
Let’s dive into NBA players showing major regression so far in the 2025 season.
SG Derrick White – Boston Celtics
2024 NBA Stats –> 2025 NBA Stats
- 16.4 PPG -> 14.9 PPG
- 44 FG% -> 34 FG%
- 38 3PT% -> 27 3PT%
- 58 eFG% -> 42 eFG%
White was traded to the Boston Celtics during the 2021-2022 season and has been one of their most valuable pieces. With his elite defense and consistent three-point shot, he has become one of the best role players in the league. However, 2025 has not been exactly what the Boston Celtics expected.
The 31-year-old is experiencing his least efficient season of his NBA career. Even though his defense has been spectacular, the loss of Jayson Tatum could force White into a bigger role. He is averaging the most shot attempts per game of his career (15.3), and his inefficient play could be a big reason why Boston has struggled to start the season.
I have faith White will find his shot. He has been a consistent shooter from deep throughout his career, especially in Boston. Hopefully, his incredible defense could spark the most consistent play on the offensive side of his game. However, regression has hit Derrick White hard to start the 2025 season.
PF Jarace Walker – Indiana Pacers
2024 NBA Stats -> 2025 NBA Stats
- 47 FG% -> 33 FG%
- 40 3PT% -> 32 3PT%
- 58 eFG% -> 41 eFG%
Jarace Walker was drafted with the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NBA draft and went two seasons developing in the G-League and coming off the bench. In 2025, Walker has already started more games than the entire 2024-2025 season. Without looking at the efficiency, Walker has career-highs in every counting category, such as assists, rebounds, and points. However, the efficiency has taken a major step back, however, this could be attributed to a bigger role. With Tyrese Haliburton out for the season, Walker could be a much-needed scoring option throughout the season.
Indiana has struggled with injuries and this has not helped with Walker’s continued development. However, we haven’t seen Walker as a full-time starter in the NBA, as last year he was a consistent bench piece throughout the 2024-2025 season. Even so, with a great opportunity to prove himself, Walker has yet to prove he was worthy of such a high draft pick.
Regression could be the wrong term for Walker, and some people would rather say, “disappointing”. However, with how efficient Walker was last season, many expected a big leap with a bigger role. Even at just 22-years old, Walker has faced regression from his efficient 2024-2025 season.
PG Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies
2024 NBA Stats -> 2025 NBA Stats
- 23.2 PPG ->18.9 PPG
- 45 FG% -> 36 FG%
- 31 3PT% -> 15 3PT%
- 50 eFG% -> 38 eFG%
Ja Morant has become the face of the Memphis Grizzlies since Marc Gasol and Mike Conley were running the show. He has consistently been at the top of the league at the point guard position and was coming into 2025 at just 26 years old. In reality, this season has been a disaster for not just Ja Morant but the Memphis Grizzlies as a unit.
Since his MVP-level 2021-2022 season, where he averaged 27.4 PPG, Morant’s points-per-game have continued to regress below 19 points-per-game for the first time in his career. His efficiency has been the most concerning part of his game, falling well below 40% from the field and atrocious 15% from three-point range. Unfortunately, for Grizzlies fans, this season has taken a turn for the worse.
On November 1st, Morant was suspended for one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team,” and reports would later surface about the mutual unhappiness between Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. Rumors are swirling about Morant’s future in Memphis, but one thing is for certain: his play on the court has not been what the NBA has become accustomed to.
PF Cam Johnson – Denver Nuggets
2024 NBA Stats -> 2025 NBA Stats
- 18.8 PPG -> 8.0 PPG
- 47 FG% -> 38 FG%
- 39 3PT% -> 23 3PT%
- 3.4 APG -> 2.0 APG
Johnson experienced a career season in the 2024-2025 season, averaging career-highs across the board. The Brooklyn Nets traded Johnson to the Denver Nuggets during this past off-season, receiving Michael Porter Jr. and a 2023 unprotected first-round pick. For Denver, Johnson feels like a perfect fit alongside Nikola Jokic, but it has been anything but that.
Johnson is experiencing the worst offensive season of his career, averaging the lowest amount of points per game in his career. The most uncharacteristic part of the 2025 season for Johnson is his inefficiency: he shot just 23% from deep, which is his trademark. Denver has still been playing great, but if Johnson doesn’t show improvement, they could look for an upgrade.
I expected Johnson to bounce back from a rough start. Playing with one of the greatest playmakers of our generation will help. Jokic will help find Johnson’s open shots as he continues to try to return to his 2024-2025 form.
