5 Under-the-Radar NBA Players Ready to Be Stars for 2012-13 Season

Every season in the NBA we speculate on who will evolve, who will get worse and who will come out of seemingly nowhere to become a star.

Last season Jeremy Lin sent shockwaves through the entire NBA and had us all going Linsane.

Here are five under-the-radar players who may shock us in the upcoming season.

No. 5: Brandan Wright

Brandan Wright has always been average. On the Golden State Warriors, Wright averaged around 17 PP40M (points per 40 minutes) nine rebounds and two blocks. 

His increased minutes next year will make a difference.

Dallas had a bevy of talented forwards last year. Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Lamar Odom and others shared the position, leaving Wright with around 16 minutes per game. On the Warriors during his best season, Wright averaged a little over 17 MPG. 

Not a huge difference, but it's the usage rate that tells a different story. In that best season with the Warriors, Wright's usage rate was 19.02 percent. On Dallas last year, just 16.95.

However, what's interesting is that despite this dip in usage rate, Wright gained his highest PER of his career last season: 21.65. Before that, his highest PER was only 18.73 percent.

Along with this great stat, if you look deeper, you'll see other all-time highs in true shooting percentage (63.2 percent), percent of field goals assisted (79.9 percent) and blocks per 40 minutes (3.17). 

With Nowitzki and Marion getting older, and Odom gone, be on the lookout for a rising Brandan Wright. 

No. 4 Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas had a great rookie season, but will he experience a sophomore slump?

The reason Thomas had so much success last year was because of Tyreke Evans' injury issues. Given the fact that Evans may be in a new uniform next year, we may see Thomas take over the starting point guard role in 2013, which means bigger production.

In 25.5 minutes per game, Thomas averaged 18.1 PP40M, 6.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and shot 57 percent from the floor. 

He also shot 38.3 percent from three-point range.

With this in mind, and a possible boost from increased minutes, keep your eye on Isaiah Thomas in 2013.

No. 3 Kenneth Faried

While not as "unlikely" as the rest, Kenneth Faried still isn't close to being a household name. However, given his numbers last season, that might not be true for very long.

In just 22.6 minutes per game, Faried averaged 18.1 PP40M, 13.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals, all on 58 percent field-goal shooting.

Given the fact that several players—including Faried—are up for grabs in free agency in 2013, anything can happen.

Regardless of where he ends up, he is sure to receive more minutes.

No. 2 Patty Mills

Patty Mills put up amazing statistics for the Spurs last year. 

Mills averaged a whopping 25.3 PP40M, 6.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds. However, Mills only played 16 games, so these numbers may be a little inflated.

With Portland the year before, he averaged 18 PP40M in 64 games. His other numbers were similar to last year's totals.

Mills told Australian news source The Age will likely be opting out of his contract to test the free-agent waters.

He should be a somewhat-hot commodity for teams struggling at the point guard position.

Let's see if he delivers in 2013.

No. 1 Gustavo Ayon

Gustavo Ayon may not be a household name, but he put up some impressive numbers last year for the Hornets.

Ayon averaged 11.7 PP40M, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks...in 20.1 minutes!

I know what you're thinking: Anthony Davis is going to come in and take Ayon's minutes and we'll be back to forgetting he existed.

That may be true, but know this: The Hornets have a team option on Gustavo Ayon, so he may just get more minutes elsewhere.

Gustavo Ayon and Anthony Davis could also form a scary tandem.

Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor were sent packing, and Chris Kaman will likely not be with the team next year as well.