Predicting one breakout participant for every NBA group in 2024: Western Convention Version

Editor’s Observe: That is the Western Convention version of our sequence on breakout participant candidates for every NBA group within the 2024-25 season. The Jap Convention version could be learn right here.

Yearly, every group opens the season with optimism about their new acquisitions or younger prospects who’re due for a breakout season. Some breakouts are simpler to foretell than others, however the system used for this listing will likely be a mix of previous manufacturing, expertise, upside, and most significantly, alternative.

The highest 5 Most Improved Participant Award outcomes final season went as follows: Tyrese Maxey, Coby White, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Williams, and Jalen Brunson. A few of these “breakouts” have been anticipated, however then you may have Coby White, who seemingly got here out of nowhere after a comparatively disappointing begin to his profession.

However making an sudden leap is available in a number of totally different kinds. It will give attention to gamers leaping from one degree to a different, slightly than getting fixated on their previous “leaps.” Sure, a few of these gamers have already damaged out, however there are ranges to it. From bench participant to key rotation piece, from function participant to key starter, from starter to star, or from star to celebrity, there are numerous methods to make “breakout watch” on this league.

Listed here are 15 gamers we predict are due for a breakout within the Western Convention.

Dallas Mavericks: Jaden Hardy

The Mavericks will want somebody to step up with Dante Exum out for a major period of time (three-plus months) this season. Regardless of having Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, there’s nonetheless a transparent want for spacing and buckets off the bench. Insert Jaden Hardy.

Hardy has had his justifiable share of struggles early in his profession, however there have been moments the place his function as a ground spacer and scorer appears seamless. Through the Western Convention Finals final postseason, he linked on 60% of his threes in 10.4 minutes per sport, averaging 7.4 factors to assist Dallas advance to the NBA Finals. Capturing 40% from deep all through the playoffs reveals that he’s able to hitting powerful photographs on an enormous stage. Consistency would be the key as he enters his third season within the NBA. The chance will definitely be there.

Denver Nuggets: Julian Strawther

The Nuggets misplaced Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in consecutive offseasons. Denver’s depth was already a priority at instances final season, and with KCP bolting, they are going to want somebody to step up. The additions of Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric ought to assist, however a spacing wing who can contribute defensively is extra of a necessity for them. Christian Braun stepped up a yr in the past, and now all indicators level to Julian Strawther.

Strawther stands at 6’7 and has proven to be a succesful shooter who can get sizzling in a rush. He can hit off motion, off screens, and join from deep vary to stretch defenses. The flexibility to hit transition pullups is a power he’s flashed as properly. Enjoying at Gonzaga, he commonly showcased how sensible of an off-ball mover he’s together with his capability to chop and relocate across the perimeter. If solely he performed alongside a middle that rewarded him for these actions… Oh, wait, he occurs to play with one of the best within the enterprise in that capability.

Throughout his final season at Gonzaga, he linked on 40% of his threes on over 5 makes an attempt per sport. Denver wants somebody to step up, and thus far he’s appeared like he might be that man throughout preseason motion.

Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemski

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors

Honorable Point out: Jonathan Kuminga

The Warriors have been reportedly reluctant to incorporate Podziemski in a rumored deal for Lauri Markannen this offseason, and solely time will inform if that was the suitable transfer.

“Loads of these different groups are calling about you,” Podziemski mentioned (Mike) Dunleavy instructed him (through The Athletic). “They need you, however you’re not going anyplace. You’re ours.” That ringing endorsement for Podziemski serves him properly coming into his sophomore season.

Podziemski is a high-energy, versatile guard who can perform a little little bit of every thing properly. He completed fifth within the Rookie of the 12 months voting after showing in 74 video games (28 begins) for the Warriors in his rookie marketing campaign. He has gained the belief of the Warriors teaching workers and figures to be a key piece of their rotation in an expanded function this yr. Steph Curry will want all the assistance he can get, and it begins with “Podz” as a possible beginning backcourt mate.

Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr.

The Rockets have a loaded core of younger expertise able to make noise. Their group is harking back to Orlando earlier than they broke out. In the event that they put all of it collectively, they might be a playoff group this season in a deep Western Convention.

Jabari Smith Jr. can have much less strain on him with extra expertise and spacing round him. He’s a 6’11 shooter with a fast launch and has proven a willingness to compete on the glass, averaging 8.1 rebounds per sport final season. His three-point proportion elevated from 30.7% in his rookie season to 36.3% final yr. The passing flashes and pull-up taking pictures additional strengthen his case as a breakout candidate. He’s primed for an enormous yr together with his mixture of measurement, scoring, and taking pictures capability.

Los Angeles Clippers: Terance Mann

Paul George is gone. Russell Westbrook is gone. Kawhi Leonard is ready to overlook (no less than) an enormous chunk of the beginning of the season. James Harden can have a heavy workload to hold, and he’ll want a “Robin” within the video games Kawhi is out. That’s the place Mann steps in as a dependable rotation piece that Ty Lue trusts.

Mann has averaged precisely 8.8 factors per sport in consecutive seasons, however final yr he noticed a dip in his 3-point proportion all the way down to a career-low 34.8. For a profession 37.3% shooter from lengthy vary who will possible see 28-plus minutes per sport, this breakout will likely be a circumstantial yet one more than something. The quantity hasn’t essentially been attainable lately, however courting again to 2021-22 he averaged a career-high 10.8 factors and 28.6 minutes per sport. This season ought to align nearer to these numbers, and even an uptick on these wouldn’t shock as he enters his age 27 season.

Los Angeles Lakers: Max Christie

The Lakers’ bench unit wants some consistency this season. Which may be loads to ask for from a 21-year-old, however Christie has proven progress early in his profession. The Lakers felt assured sufficient to reward him with a four-year, $32 million contract to stick with Los Angeles this summer season.

His defensive instincts are spectacular and may solely enhance with extra reps. The long-range taking pictures provides to his worth as a 3-and-D risk. He has shot 38% from three-point vary throughout his first two seasons. His offensive worth additionally lies in his capability to chop and play off the ball. JJ Redick and his workers will lean on Christie for intensive minutes this season, and they need to get what they paid for after which some from the promising younger guard.

Memphis Grizzlies: GG Jackson

Honorable Point out: Jake LaRavia

Final yr made it clear the Grizzlies have discovered an actual contributor in GG Jackson. Sadly, they should look ahead to his return as he underwent surgical procedure on his foot and will likely be re-evaluated in roughly two months. Jackson was a second-round decide within the 2023 NBA draft and earned 2nd group NBA All-Rookie honors. In 48 video games, together with 18 begins, he averaged 14.6 factors and 4.1 rebounds per sport. He was a lone shiny spot for the Grizzlies in an injury-riddled season.

Throughout his remaining three video games of the common season in 2023-24, Jackson put up 32.2 factors per sport, together with a masterful 44-point efficiency within the season finale. As soon as he returns, the Grizzlies will likely be a deep and harmful group.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Naz Reid

Philadelphia 76ers v Minnesota Timberwolves

Honorable Point out: Donte DiVincenzo

This one is just like the Jalen Williams decide earlier. Sure, he simply had his popping out occasion and gained Sixth Man of the 12 months. Now, with KAT within the Massive Apple, Reid will get much more of a chance to showcase his talents in a bigger function for Minnesota.

Julius Randle is now within the combine, however that gained’t cease Reid from getting important minutes and scoring alternatives on a group that might lack constant secondary scoring choices subsequent to Anthony Edwards. DiVincenzo, Reid, and Randle will all chip in, however it’s straightforward to imagine that one of the best of Naz is but to return. Minnesota, regardless of buying and selling KAT, will nonetheless be a harmful squad. The nearer his minutes get to ~30 (per sport) the nearer his factors per sport will likely be within the 20-plus vary per sport.

New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Murphy

Murphy has proven his worth time and time once more for the Pelicans early in his profession. Having a 6’9 wing who can shoot, assault closeouts, and defend the best way he can is a recipe for an ideal wing. Having him and Herb Jones on the wings provides New Orleans a pair of standout forwards who can combine it up in and out.

Final season, Murphy averaged 14.8 factors, 4.9 rebounds, and a pair of.2 assists per sport on a 44/38/81 taking pictures splits. He put up almost 8 three-point makes an attempt per sport and may proceed to get the inexperienced gentle for a group that wishes to play quick. New Orleans has restricted big-man choices, so they are going to unleash the wings but once more. The query is, how wholesome will their star trio of Zion, Ingram, and Murray be?

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder: Jalen Williams

Honorable Point out: Isaiah Joe

Okay, hear me out. Williams already technically “broke out” final season, it’s famous. The leap we’re speaking about right here is rising from a “promising younger wing” to a “star”. You may write that in Sharpie.

Josh Giddey is gone, and his function will likely be stuffed by Alex Caruso, who operates comfortably and nearly solely off the ball. That may be a evening and day distinction from the previously talked about Giddey. Shai will proceed to be Shai, however each nice star wants somebody to take the strain off them and step up in key moments. Chet can often be that man offensively subsequent season, however Williams is able to be that man from day one.

Phoenix Suns: Tyus Jones

Tyus Jones was an underrated acquisition for Phoenix this summer season and it’s already evident throughout the preseason. The veteran guard will begin for the Suns and see loads of time, sharing the ground with no less than two or three stars at a time.

His wonderful decision-making and talent to regulate the offense will likely be a sight for sore eyes in Phoenix below Mike Budenholzer. Jones took a notable low cost and will likely be enjoying with a chip on his shoulder as he appears to revive his worth and convert that into a bigger payday subsequent summer season. He has a profitable pedigree and may instill the wanted degree of competence on the level guard place the Suns lacked desperately final season.

Portland Path Blazers: Deni Avdija

Honorable Point out: Shaedon Sharpe

Deni already had a mini breakout season a yr in the past in Washington — ending sixth within the Most Improved Participant of the 12 months voting final season — however this yr might be much more important of a soar. Avdija will begin and see heavy minutes from the soar on a younger, rebuilding Blazers group. His versatility on each ends and talent to deal with the ball will current a number of alternatives for him to thrive.

Final season, Avdija averaged 14.7 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.8 steals in 30.1 minutes per sport. He appeared in 75 video games (all begins) for the Wizards and posted 50/37/74 taking pictures splits. His all-around sport and improved effectivity in a bigger function might result in one other notable breakout as he comes into his personal at 23 years outdated.

Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray

The Kings trio of Fox, Sabonis, and DeRozan will get the lion’s share of the eye coming into the season, however don’t sleep on Keegan Murray. He has made strides defensively and provides a helpful mixture of measurement and taking pictures on the ahead place. Murray will play a significant function in Sacramento’s hopes of constructing a deep playoff run.

Murray completed fifth in Rookie of the 12 months voting in 2022-23 and had a robust sophomore season for the Kings. Whereas his three-point taking pictures proportion dipped from 41.1% to 35.6%, he elevated his point-per-game common by precisely three factors with out a dip in general discipline objective proportion. Defenses will likely be centered on containing three wonderful scorers, and in the event that they lose observe of Murray he’ll make them pay. With the playmaking round him in a fast-paced offense, it’s straightforward to examine Murray breaking out in yr three.

San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama

Honorable Point out: Devin Vassell

Look, I do know what you’re considering. He’s already actually good, why is he right here? Nicely, this leap will likely be from a star to a celebrity, and that’s completely value highlighting as a result of it’s probably the most impactful “kind” of breakout a participant can have. Wembanyama is inevitable.

With veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes in to stabilize the locker room and supply management on and off the court docket, Wemby is primed to place all of it collectively in yr two. If the Spurs make a playoff run it will likely be largely due to Wembanyama. And sure, he would obtain MVP votes for that. His capability to affect the sport on each ends has a shot at being traditionally good.

Utah Jazz: Keyonte George

The Jazz should not have the deepest guard rotation, and they’re going to depend on George for playmaking and scoring from the perimeter. He has the keys to the offense and may solely progress his sport in a bigger function after exhibiting some promising flashes throughout his rookie season.

The tough 39.1% discipline objective proportion a season in the past comes with the territory of being a rookie guard with numerous accountability on a nasty group. He’s contemporary off a 24-point preseason outing, displaying his offensive upside. His capability to assault mismatches and get to his spots in inventive methods is enjoyable to observe. There’s some actual substance to go along with the flash in his sport. Jazz followers needs to be amped to see his progress in yr two.