TEAMS WELCOME BOOSTS FROM UNEXPECTED SOURCES

It’s still early, but these players have been some of the NBA’s most pleasant surprises through the first three weeks of the season. Meaning, they’re playing at a level that few — if any — expected. ( Statistics through Monday.) HARRISON BARNES, DALLAS MAVERICKS No longer stuck behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the NBA’s most high- powered offense, the fifth- year swingman is averaging a career- high 22.3 points — nearly doubling his previous high of 11.7 ( set last season). He’s also grabbing 5.9 rebounds, shooting 49.1% and playing 37.8 minutes. T. J. WARREN, PHOENIX SUNS The third- year forward out of North Carolina State is averaging 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists — all career bests — while averaging 35.7 minutes as a starter for Phoenix. OTTO PORTER, WASHINGTON WIZARDS Another year, another uptick in production for Porter, whom the Wizards chose with the third overall pick in 2013 out of Georgetown. As the third scoring option in an offense behind John Wall and Bradley Beal, Porter is averaging 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, and his 55.2% shooting ranks ninth in the league. LOU WILLIAMS, LOS ANGELES LAKERS The 2014- 15 Sixth Man of the Year ( while with the Toronto Raptors) is leading the Lakers in scoring, averaging 16.5 points on 47.2% shooting, both career highs. J. J. BAREA, DALLAS MAVERICKS It’s not often that players have a career resurgence as they enter their 11th NBA season, but Barea has done just that during the absence of starting point guard Deron Williams. His 17.3 points and 33.7 minutes are the best of his career. DEMAR DEROZAN, TORONTO RAPTORS DeRozan’s dominance isn’t a surprise, per se, because his talent as a scorer has been well- documented. That said, he’s leading the NBA with 34.0 points per game and became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1986- 87 to score 30- plus points in eight of his first nine games. TIM HARDAWAY JR., ATLANTA HAWKS The fourth- year shooting guard has emerged as a valuable asset off the bench for Atlanta early in his second season there. He is putting up 12.3 points and shooting 47.1% from the field. KEMBA WALKER, CHARLOTTE HORNETS Much like DeRozan, Walker’s success isn’t exactly unexpected. But coming off the best season of his career, Walker has taken his game to a new level through Charlotte’s first nine games. With 25.3- point and 5.4- assist averages, Walker — who also has been one of the league’s most efficient three- point shooters ( 3.4 makes per game at 47%) — has emerged as an All- Star candidate. SEAN KILPATRICK, BROOKLYN NETS Perhaps the least- known name on this list, Kilpatrick — an undrafted, 26- year- old guard who had played in 35 NBA games before this season — has been one of the lone bright spots for a Nets team looking for an identity. He’s averaging 15.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26.3 minutes. GEORGE HILL, UTAH JAZZ After averaging 12.1 points and 3.5 assists in 74 games for the Indiana Pacers last season, the veteran point guard has found new life in Utah, putting up a careerhigh 20.4- point average as the floor general for a 7- 5 Jazz squad looking to threaten for a top- four spot in the West. He earned Western Conference player of the week honors ( Oct. 31 through Nov. 6) for the first time.

JAYNE KAMIN- ONCEA, USA TODAY SPORTS Harrison Barnes is averaging 22.3 points, more than double his career average, in his first season with the Mavericks.