In 2016 we saw the emergence of several young players in the league, led by the Most Improved Player (MIP) C.J. McCollum. This year invariably we will see the same thing happen, just with different players (maybe some of the same?). Now that the offseason is done we are able to see which players are likely to be given that opportunity to blossom, whether through increased role/playing time (similar to McCollum) or simply through more experience/continued growth.
(Bias, Heat fan, paragraph coming)
Justise Winslow of the Miami Heat is the first player who could break out in a big way this season. With Wade gone, Bosh likely done due to blood clots, Deng gone and Joe Johnson gone Winslow will be thrust into a starting role and a whole lot of shots and opportunities are available for him. Fresh off USAB select team training he has to be motivated to start climbing into the upper echelon of wings in the league.
(End of bias, Heat fan, paragraph).
Out west there are several other wings who could be looking at a great opportunity to blossom. Devin Booker, Victor Oladipo and Rodney Hood are all players who quickly come to mind. Bookers situation almost entirely depends on a trade of either Brandon Knight or Eric Bledsoe unfortunately, but he has all the tools to become a star for the Suns when/if they make the decision to go with him as the starting 2 guard this season. Victor Oladipo gets a chance to star for the semi rebuilding OKC Thunder, while also getting the opportunity to form one of the most lethal and athletic back courts in the league with Russell Westbrook. Finally Rodney Hood should continue the blossoming which began in the 2016 season and start making a solid name for himself on a Jazz squad which should make the playoffs in 2017.
In the lead guard category in 2017 Elfrid Payton and Dennis Schroder are both players who will benefit from team mates moving onto new places (Oladipo>Thunder and Teague>Pacers) thus freeing up playing time and control of the ball. Both will also thoroughly enjoy having a shiny new big man to play pick’n’roll with, and throw lobs to, in Ibaka (Orlando) and Dwight Howard (Atlanta). These two factors could mean big boosts in assist averages for each of them over the course of the 2017 season. D’Angelo Russel and Emmanuel Mudiay should also make strides in their sophomore season, though Mudiay may be slightly slowed by Jamal Murray who seemed more comfortable at PG than SG during summer league. Stay tuned to see how they fit together.
For the bigs, Steven Adams‘ big playoffs, coupled with Ibaka’s move to Orlando could spell breakout for the 23 year old centre. There will certainly be a lot of rebounds available for him to grab and he should be able to block his fair share of shots too. How he plays in the pick’n’roll with Westbrook/Oladipo will determine his breakout status. Julius Randle is another player who should continue along on the path to stardom. Coming off a year where he averaged a double-double (11&10), was invited to train with the USAB select team plus the addition of perimeter threats should free up space for Randle to feast on the block. Whether Ingram or Deng steal minutes/shots away from him remains to be seen so keep an eye on him to see that dynamic.
Can I include Joel Embiid in this category? If he ever gets healthy he could breakout quickly. Remember this was the guy most analysts were saying should go no.1, ahead of budding all stars ANDREW WIGGINS(!) and JABARI PARKER(!). Keep a sneaky eye on his situation as we head towards the 2017 season to see if he can get/stay healthy.
Some other sneaky players who could fly under the radar in terms of breakout include Zach Lavine, Otto Porter Jr, Harrison Barnes, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Gary Harris and Myles Turner. Keep an eye on them as the season progresses.
Then again, as usually happens, someone could come flying out of nowhere and steal the MIP title away from one of these guys with ease, these are simply the guys who came to mind first.
T.
In The Open Court 