As the NBA season winds down, at this point it’s mostly veteran players we see on the court given teams trust the experience to win close playoff games. With that said, let’s predict which players could become breakout players for their team next year.
Southeast Divison
Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter – Thought of as a defensive first wing with a little 3 and D, Hunter led the team in scoring in their 5 game defeat given by the Miami Heat. Its possible it wasn’t a fluke given he also had a true shooting percentage of 67.3% against Miami’s stellar defense. Atlanta will likely pick up his team option of about $9 million for next year.
Charlotte Hornets: PJ Washington – The Hornets are in an interesting spot, as they feel they can contend for legit playoff berths with the core they have. It seems like Charlotte wants Mike D’antoni as their head coach who I wanted the Sixers to get. One thing he loves as a coach is an athletic rim runner (Amare Stoudemire, Clint Capela to name a few). If they hire D’antoni expect Washington to see increased offensive production. Charlotte will likely pick up his team option for next year.
Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs – Could have gone a number of ways here, it feels like they will draft Jabari Smith or Holmgren, even though I like Paolo better. Nonetheless, injuries and poor shooting made Suggs have an ok rookie season. With an offseason to recover, and likely a better defense expect Suggs to improve in his sophomore season.
Washington Wizards: Kristaps Porzingis – A system change can do Kristaps wonders. In nearly 20 games with the Wizards, in less minutes than with the Mavericks he was getting to the line at a much higher clip and scoring more efficiently. Seeing how the Mavs are so Luka-centric and like playing a 5 out, a change of scenery will make Kristaps look a lot better in DC.
Miami Heat: Max Strus – Seeing that Strus is fourth in minutes for the Heat these playoffs, its clear that Spoelstra trusts him. He has had some great games so far in these playoffs, and I expect it to continue come next regular season.
Atlantic Division
Brooklyn Nets: Cam Thomas – With not much young, unused talent, returning, it’s possible that Thomas begins to get real rotation minutes for Brooklyn next year. We know he can score, but it will be about improving his defense and playmaking.
Boston Celtics: Grant Williams – A player whose stock has tremendously improved these playoffs, its clear Grant will be in this team’s rotation plans, which was definitely in the air for a lot of this season. Williams has been unlocked as a bulky 3 and D wing with great switch-ability. Expect him to build on his playoff performances towards next season.
Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey – A team with no other realistic option, its possible this team will be without Harden and Danny Green next year. Could it be possible Maxey makes the leap to All Star reserve? He was the team’s second best guy for lots of spurts in these playoffs
Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby– I tried to go with someone other than Scottie Barnes, and OG was their second best guy against the Sixers. A good defender with an offensive game improving each year, it wouldn’t shock me if he puts up 20 a game next year.
New York Knicks: RJ Barrett – A really good player who didn’t get much media attention for being a young budding talent in New York, Barrett is trusted by Tom Thibedeau. If they move on from Julius Randle or move the offense closer Barrett’s way, expect some All Star caliber numbers.
Central Division
Milwaukee Bucks: Grayson Allen – The Bucks extended Allen’s rookie deal with a 2 year/$20 million extension. With Wes Matthews not getting any younger expect to see Allen receiving more minutes on the wing.
Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams – Injury derailed much of his regular season, but I found it interesting that he was 4th in minutes against the Bucks. Williams has loads of potential which is why he went 4th overall in the first place.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Caris Levert – With Garland and Allen breaking out, and Mobley nearly a rookie of the year, people won’t give Levert much attention. However this guy can put up 20 a night, expect him to be the teams secondary player maker aside from Garland.
Indiana Pacers: Chris Duarte – After a good rookie season, expect Duarte to receive a bigger role in Indiana. With Sabonis gone as a ball stopper expect more shoots going Duarte’s way.
Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Stewart – Landing the fourth pick makes it unlikely they will draft a big man. With a full year of Cade running the show, expect Stewart to see better production.
Northwest Division
Minnesota Timberwolves: Jordan McLaughlin – It was interesting to see the little-known point guard closing games out for the Timberwolves. With Beverly and D’Angelo Russell on expiring deals, it could be possible for one of them to be traded opening up some guard minutes for McLaughlin.
Portland Trail Blazers: Josh Hart – Seeing that the Blazers still want to build around Lillard, they need to pair a defensive guard with him. Hart is certainly that guy, who will likely start at the 2 for Portland and see lesser defensive matchups with Lillard being the main focus of other teams.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Lu Dort – Averaging 17 while playing good defense, if he can be more healthy expect to start hearing news about the Thunder and Dort working on an extension
Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr – With the MPJ and Murray back in the fold next year, expect this team to be in contention for a top seed in the West. Maybe MPJ can live up to the high potential he has. Bones Hyland was also up for consideration.
Utah Jazz: Nickeil Alexander-Walker – A hard team to find a breakout player NAW is still very young and has shown flashes of athleticism. It’s quite possible he can play his way into the Jazz rotation. This team also may shake things up this summer. Expect Utah to pick up his contract.
Pacific Division
Phoenix Suns: Landry Shamet – Most of their players are developed at this point, however it was interesting to see that Shamet got more minutes than Cameron Payne as the playoffs went along. It might be possible he will be their first guard off the bench next year at this rate.
Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga – A team with a bunch of options for this spot, it’s clear that Kuminga is part of the bridge of the Golden State Warriors from old to young. Expect to see him legitimately be in that rotation all year with Otto Porter Jr and Gary Payton II both free agents following the season.
Los Angeles Lakers: Stanley Johnson – The Lakers only have 5 guys that are virtual locks to be on the team next year given their contracts. It looks like they will unload THT and Nunn along with Westbrook based on some rumors. Stanley Johnson gave the team some valuable minutes towards the end of the year, it’s possible that they could give him some backup forward minutes.
Los Angeles Clippers: Norman Powell – With PG, Kawhi, and Covington as this team’s forwards, Powell will have favorable defensive matchups all year, leaving him more energy to spend on offense. He’s a pretty good 3 point shooter for his career, so expect him to become an efficient spot-up shooter as the ball leaves his hands.
Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell – Likely their first guard off the bench if he doesn’t start, the stout defender showed some flashes of being a solid offensive player. With Halliburton no longer in the mix, Mitchell will see more ball-handling duties.
Southwest Division
Memphis Grizzlies: Zaire Williams – A lottery pick who showed lots of flashes in the playoffs, with Dillon Brooks an on expiring contract and Kyle Anderson a free agent once the Finals end, Williams will see an increased role with the team next year.
Dallas Mavericks: Reggie Bullock – A guy who started every game of this teams postseason, he has exceeded expectations in this postseason. He’s been tasked with guarding opposing team’s best guards a lot of the time and has still been knocking down threes at a good clip. Expect to see him have more sets run his way next year as a shooter. If not Bullock, Josh Green is an option here as well.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado – A defensive demon who overtook Devonte Graham’s spot in the rotation against the Suns, he is a fascinating story. The fans love him, so expect to see him see regular rotation time in the regular season.
Houston Rockets: Jalen Green – It was an up and down rookie year for Green, but he picked it up strong towards the end of the season. He could greatly improve improve his shooting percentages next year and have people putting him in conversation with some of the other strong rookies of his draft classes. There’s a reason he went number 2, he’s as bouncy a player as they come. A summer in the weight room will do him wonders.
San Antonio Spurs: Devin Vassell – With Derrick White gone, and Lonnie Walker IV on an expiring deal, it feels like there will be lots of minutes to be had for Vassell. He averaged a quiet 12 points off the bench last year, I think that will improve.
