Believe it or not, NBA training
camps are right around the corner, which means a blank slate for
everybody.
Recently, our staff discussed
which organizations had the best offseason, which teams did the worst, plus
this summer's most underrated
moves. Now, we're going to turn our attention to individual
improvement. Today, we asked our staff:
Which player is poised to break out next
season?
Nekias Duncan:
No Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam missing the first month or so of the
season, plus a strong second half of last season leads me to
believe that OG Anunoby could be in line for a production bump —
as I wrote over the
weekend.
Alex Kennedy:
It feels like De'Andre Hunter is on the verge of breaking out... if
he can stay healthy. Last year, as a sophomore, he was outstanding
in the first half of the season, averaging 17.2 points, 5.4
rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 threes and a steal on 51.4/36.6/87.7
shooting splits prior to the All-Star break. Then, he hurt his
lateral meniscus in his right knee and needed surgery. After a
brief return, he tore that same meniscus, which also required
surgery. Despite losing Hunter early in the second round, the
Atlanta Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Now,
Hunter is expected to be healthy in time for training camp, so this
could be the year he takes a major leap forward and shows why he
was drafted No. 4 overall in 2019. The 23-year-old has all of the
tools to be a difference-maker on both ends of the
court.
Jackson Frank:
OG Anunoby made considerable strides offensively last season with
his handle, driving craft and general self-creation. Yet he was
beset by various ailments and only played 43 games, despite
averaging a tidy 16-5.5-2-1.5 on 60.5% True Shooting. I’m betting
he’ll get some All-Star buzz and continue his development on a fun,
funky Raptors squad.
Imman Adan: OG
Anunoby is poised to have a breakout year. With Kyle Lowry gone,
the Raptors enter their next phase. Siakam is expected to miss some
time rehabbing from shoulder surgery, so the Raptors should see a
lot of offensive possessions go to Anunoby.
Spencer Davies:
You know, Darius Garland had one hell of a summer. He grew an inch
or two, added some muscle and just really seems ready to take that
leap following a successful run with Team USA’s Select Team. Before
he went down with an injury that ended his season prematurely for
the Cleveland Cavaliers, Garland was on a post-All-Star-break tear,
averaging 19.5 points and 6.5 assists per game on over 40% from
long distance. He and Collin Sexton began to develop a solid
relationship on the floor, and based on what Isaac Okoro did at summer
league, we can probably expect those cutting abilities to help
Garland’s case as a passer as well; plus, the third-year point
guard is a confident knockdown shooter coming off dribble hand-offs
and in transition, and can throw up lobs with the best of them.
Defensively, his efforts are there, and now that he has Evan Mobley
along with Jarrett Allen behind him, there’s enough protection to
cover those angles. Year 3 is typically the time when prospects put
what they’ve learned into action, and Garland just seems to have
the right personnel surrounding him for success.
Evan Sidery:
I’m going to cheat here, listing two names that are poised for
breakout campaign: Anthony Edwards and OG Anunoby. After the All-Star break,
Minnesota’s No. 1 pick averaged almost 25 points per game. With
another year of seasoning, it's very possible that Edwards could be
a top contender for Most Improved Player in 2021-22. Another name
to keep an eye on is Anunoby. With Kyle Lowry’s departure from
Toronto, more opportunity opens up for Anunoby to become a primary
scoring option. Anunoby’s continued shooting development gives me
strong indications he’s poised for a massive breakout with an
increased workload.
Ethan Fuller:
OG Anunoby was already on the verge of a breakout last season after
posting career-highs in points (15.9), rebounds, (5.5) assists
(2.2), steals (1.5), three-point percentage (39.8%) and True
Shooting percentage (60.5%). That doesn't account for him being one
of the best defenders on the Toronto Raptors. Anunoby is only 24
years old, and as the Raptors look to get back in the playoff hunt,
expect him to be a key contributor.
Jesse
Blancarte: If you watched Game 6 between the Utah Jazz and
Los Angeles Clippers, then you have a good idea why Terance Mann is
poised to have a breakout season. In that crucial game, Mann posted
39 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist. Mann shot 15-of-21
from the field, 7-of-10 from beyond the arc and was instrumental in
the Clippers’ come-from-behind victory. Mann is athletic, a good
defender and hustles on both ends of the court. He's also improving
as a playmaker and shooter. With Kawhi Leonard possibly out for the
entire season, Mann will play a large role in filling the void left
behind by Leonard.
Drew Maresca:
Obi Toppin. At summer league, Toppin averaged 21 points and 8.3
rebounds per game and slashed 44.5 / 34.4 /88.9. Once again, he
wowed with his athleticism, had a significantly better-looking
jumper and made quicker decisions with and without the ball.
Toppin’s biggest hurdle in breaking out continues to be his
inability to crack an NBA rotation. He plays behind Julius Randle,
and Randle will probably be a leader in minutes played again next
season. But when he's given an opportunity, Toppin will be ready to prove the
doubters wrong.
Chris Sheridan:
Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs.