Most surprising and disappointing players of the 2017-18 NBA season

With OKC adding Paul George and Carmelo Anthony in the offseason, it looked like Adams would be less of an offensive contributor. That hasn't been the case at all. He's arguably been the team's second best player behind Russell Westbrook, averaging a career-high 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 63 percent from the field.

It's not a shock to see some decline in averages from Anthony given that he's not the main man in the OKC offense after getting traded from the mediocre Knicks, but he's seen his game slip significantly this year. In addition to failing to average at least 20 points for the first time in his career, Anthony is shooting just over 40 percent from the field, by far the worst average of his career.

With Kawhi Leonard out of the lineup, someone needed to step up in San Antonio. That player has been Aldridge, who's averaged 23.4 points per game, easily his best total since joining the Spurs in 2015-16. While he's shooting 18 times per game, the big man has also been efficient, shooting better than 51 percent from the field.

While Ball's father, LaVar, has wreaked havoc off the court, Lonzo has been far from the star that was advertised after going second overall in the draft. The rookie has averaged just 10.2 points per game, shooting a horrific 36 percent from the field, though he does have 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists per contest. Injuries have also hindered him recently.

The fact Antetokounmpo has enhanced his star this season really shouldn't surprise anyone, but he's a legit candidate for MVP with big improvements across the stats sheet this year. He's increased his scoring average by more than four points (27.1) and is averaging 10 rebounds for the first time. Shooting a career-best 53 percent from the field, the Greek Freak is becoming a household name.

A key part of the Hornets the last two years, Batum has declined across the board this season. The 29-year-old is averaging just 11.6 points and 4.8 rebounds after averaging about 15 points and 6.2 rebounds per game the previous two seasons.

Barton has looked like more than just a sixth man this year with the Nuggets, averaging a career-high 15.5 points and 4.1 assists while playing nearly 33 minutes per game. His work behind the three-point line has grown substantially, attempting 5.2 three-pointers per game while shooting nearly 37 percent from beyond the arc.

Conley played only 12 games this season due to heel issues, and the Grizzlies have floundered without him. The team is just 21-58, competing for the worst record in the NBA.

The annual improvement for Harris has continued into his fourth season. The guard has become the second-leading scorer for Denver this season, averaging 17.7 points per game, and he also leads the team in minutes. At age 23, his ceiling continues to rise.

The first overall pick in the draft, Fultz had high expectations but suffered a shoulder injury early in the year. Getting his shot back has been a nightmare, though he's finally started to progress since his return late in the season.

Harris averaged a career-high 18.1 points per game with Detroit before getting traded for Blake Griffin in January, and he's performed even better in L.A. The seven-year veteran has averaged 19.5 points and six rebounds in 30 games with the Clips, showing himself to be a go-to scorer.

The Clippers' disappointing season has been partially due to Gallinari's injuries. The oft-injured forward has played only 21 games and averaged just 15.3 points per game, his worst average since 2014-15.

New Orleans has been an elite offensive team this season, and Holiday's improvement is one of the reasons. The guard is averaging a career-high 19.1 points per game, shooting 49 percent from the field.

Gortat's production started to level off last season despite averaging a double-double, and that slide continued this year. He's seen his minutes cut this season, averaging just 8.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as he evolves into what should probably be a bench role as he nears his mid-30s.

Ingles has gained significant playing time as a starter for the Jazz this season after mostly coming off the bench in his first three NBA seasons. The forward has made the most of his time with a career-high 11.5 points and 4.7 assists per game, shooting an elite 44 percent from three for the second straight year.

Hill has performed well in his role but hasn't been the same player he was in previous years in Indiana and Utah. The point guard is averaging only 10.1 points, his worst since he came off the bench in 2011-12, though he is shooting better than 40 percent from three for the third straight year.

After missing most of last season following a hamstring injury, Middleton has played better than ever this year. The Bucks forward is averaging a career-high 20.4 points and shooting nearly 47 percent from the field.

A mysterious quad injury has been frustrating for both team and player this season. Leonard has played only nine games, and San Antonio has been fighting for its playoff life in the loaded Western Conference without him. Throw in a reported lack of communication and team turmoil with Leonard at the center of it all, and you have yourself an odd season in San Antonio.

Many had Mitchell as the top candidate for Rookie of the Year, but it's still a wonder that he dropped to 13th in the draft. Utah has made the most of his talents, and the Louisville product has put the team on his back by averaging 20.4 points per game.

After playing nine seasons with the Nets, Lopez has had a rude awakening in L.A. He's been more of a role player, averaging only 23.7 minutes and 13.2 points per game. During his Nets career, Lopez averaged 32.2 minutes and 18.6 points.

The seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft, Murray could be the NBA's most improved player. After coming off the bench last year, Murray has seen nearly a seven-point increase per game as a starter and is shooting 38 percent from three.

Millsap looked like a potential steal after signing with Denver in the offseason, but he's had a disappointing year in large part due to a wrist injury. While on the court, Millsap has averaged just 15 points and 6.4 rebounds, both down significantly from the last four seasons.

Acquired from OKC in the offseason for Paul George, Oladipo has taken his game to a new level as the centerpiece of the Pacers' offense. The Indiana alumnus has averaged a career-high 23.1 points and also leads the league with 2.4 steals per game. His points per game average is nine points higher than Indiana's second leading scorer, Bojan Bogdanovic.

The expectations were somewhat low for Thomas after major hip surgery, but he failed to even match those in 15 games for the Cavs before getting traded to L.A. Thomas didn't look nearly the same as the player we saw in Boston, shooting just 37 percent before undergoing another hip procedure. It remains to be seen if Thomas will ever make a full recovery to become the star he was in 2016-17.

After missing all of last season due to injury, the wait has been worth it. Simmons has been everything advertised coming out of LSU, averaging 16 points, 8.2 assists and 8.2 rebounds while standing at 6-10. He's truly been one of the most unique talents the NBA has seen in a while and is becoming an elite player faster than many anticipated.

Wall has played only 40 games this season due to a knee injury, and he hasn't equaled last year's offensive breakout when on the court. After averaging 23.1 points and 10.7 assists last season, Wall has regressed to 19.2 points and 9.5 assists this year, and his team has actually played better at times without him.

Tatum's workload looked like it would be significant immediately following Gordon Hayward's horrific injury, but the rookie has taken the workload in stride. Averaging more than 30 minutes per game at forward, Tatum has averaged 13.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. His offensive upside looks off the charts, even shooting 43 percent from three on 3.1 attempts per game.

It's been a trying year for Whiteside, who has played only 52 games due to injury and averaged just 14 points and 11.5 rebounds after a career year last season in which he averaged 17 points and 14.1 rebounds. While still a key contributor, Whiteside has failed to build on his breakout performance.

Williams has continued to grow offensively in recent seasons, and he's become the Clippers' top scorer this season following the trade of Blake Griffin. At age 31, Williams is averaging a career-high 22.6 points per game and 5.3 assists while also reaching more than 30 minutes per game for the first time.

Wiggins was on track as a developing star player in his first three seasons, but he's regressed in his fourth year. He's taken fewer shots this season and averaged less than 18 points per game after averaging 23.6 points last season. Jimmy Butler has picked up the slack, but the veteran All-Star's presence has also reportedly made Wiggins frustrated with his reduced role.