As this new NBA season is about to get underway, several players have been working hard in order to make their teams the best they possibly can be. These hardworking players are prepared to make the jump into stardom this coming season. Last season, it was Goran Dragic who became a household name, and this season another point guard like Jeff Teague is prepared to step into the limelight. Along with Teague, here are four more players who are poised to become stars this season.

Jeff Teague- As stated earlier, Jeff Teague is on the cusp of stardom, and this season will be his springboard. Teague is now controlling the Atlanta Hawks, who just traded away Joe Johnson in the summer. With the backcourt to himself now, Teague, who averaged 12-points and just under 5 assists last season, is prepared for a spike in his stats. Feeding the ball to Josh Smith, and a healthy Al Horford, Teague could become more of a passer in this offense while still being an efficient shooter, for he shoots 45% from the field in his career. The Hawks have hit their ceiling every postseason in the second round, and now they have opened up their organization to some flexibility with the Joe Johnson deal, and Teague will be a priority for Larry Drew. The former Wake Forest guard will plan to keep the Hawks relevant, as he is a part of the new direction of the Hawks.

Luol Deng- Already a known swingman in the league, Luol Deng has some pressure on him from Bulls management. Due to Derrick Rose’s injury keeping him out a portion of this season, Deng must step up and lead this team. With Carlos Boozer being a failure in Chicago to date, and Joakim Noah being a solid role player at best, Luol Deng needs to be the veteran player the Bulls need to remain competitive this year. Ready to take on leadership duties in the Windy City, Deng will see his points rise and for analysts to take note of Deng’s strong play on the defensive end of the ball. People will become aware of Deng being one of the most complete players on both sides of the ball. If the Bulls want to keep up with the suddenly competitive Eastern Conference, Luol Deng is the man they must turn to.

DeMarcus Cousins- A popular pick for Most Improved Player of the Year, DeMarcus Cousins, despite his short temper, will have one of the best seasons for centers this season. With freak athleticism, and incredible scoring abilities, Cousins has all the makings of the next great center in the NBA. Along with his team, the Kings, Cousins is going to use his youth, and untapped potential to quickly become one of the best young players in the league. Averaging a double double in last year’s campaign, Cousins will have only better stats this season. With the talent Cousins possesses, having a 20-15 stat-line is not ridiculous to think for the former Kentucky standout.

Greg Monroe- Monroe and Cousins are in similar situations. Both play for teams on the rise, and both could carry their teams and be the next great big men in the league. Monroe had a great year last year were he was just one rebound shy of a double double for the year. Monroe’s main difference from Cousins though, is he is a phenomenal shooter. Shooting over 53% from the field, Monroe is one of the best shooting big men in the league. Now with Andre Drummond on the roster clogging the middle, Monroe will be scoring more and have a smaller defender on him as he will be playing power forward for Lawrence Frank and this Detroit squad. Greg Monroe is poised to have a big campaign this season in the scoring category, and now the go-to guy for Detroit; Monroe will become a player of focus in the NBA.

Ty Lawson- Last season, Ty Lawson began his takeover of the NBA. Averaging 16-points and 6 assists; Lawson became one of the better point guards in the league. With an admirable first round of the playoffs against the Lakers where he average the same assists and 19 points, Lawson is prepared to jump into the elite category and play the best out of any player on this list. With the Nuggets, who are also ready to join the elites of the NBA, the speedy guard will run this young Nuggets squad to the top of the NBA food chain. With range that goes outside the three-point-line, and body control that weaves through defenders for layups, Ty Lawson is going to be a scoring threat on every possession. Not only will he crush teams with his scoring abilities, Lawson will feed his teammates and become a dual-threat point guard very quickly starting this season. Be on watch for Ty Lawson this season, as he is in line to become a superstar.