NBA: 15 Candidates For Breakout Seasons In 2016-17

Heading into the 2016-17 NBA season, here are 15 tantalizing young players poised for major breakout years.

Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

In the NBA, you can usually tell which teams are actually in the running for the championship before the season even starts. Unlike the NFL or NCAA March Madness, getting hot at the right time is usually not enough to knock off the overwhelming favorites from the regular season.

Dating back to 1950, only two teams have entered the playoff with a seed lower than No. 3 and went on to win the title: The 1968 Boston Celtics (No. 4) and the 1995 Houston Rockets (No. 6). The NBA can be thoroughly predictable at times, since the league’s brightest stars and most complete teams are revealed over the course of an 82-game season. Cinderella stories rarely happen here.

However, that doesn’t mean professional basketball is unentertaining. Despite only five or six teams having a legitimate shot at winning it all on a season-to-season basis, the other 24 fan bases still tune in religiously. Why? Because every franchise is part of a never-ending wheel that jettisons some teams into the spotlight as contenders and dumps others into the rebuilding process.

No matter where your favorite team lands in that eternal cycle, there’s always a reason to watch. Whether they’re competing for a championship or trying to develop younger players into superstars who will one day do the same, NBA teams can be as much about the future as they are about the present or past.

Bearing all this in mind, even the bottom-feeder and middle-tier teams have something to look forward to: Breakout seasons from the promising youngsters on their roster. We all know LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant own the league right now, but we’re always looking for the next big thing, even as we admire the current generation’s greatness.

Heading into the 2016-17 NBA season, it’s time to take a look at 15 tantalizing young players (and a few quick honorable mentions) who could be ready for major breakout seasons that put their names on the map.

Oct 8, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) with the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) during the first half at Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mentions:

Harrison Barnes — The opportunity is there with the Dallas Mavericks, but the efficiency might not be now that he won’t be served up wide open on a silver platter quite as often.

Nikola Jokic — The advanced statistics and per 36 minutes numbers love Jokic. Now we’ll see how they translate to full-time starter’s minutes in his second season with the Denver Nuggets.

Bismack Biyombo — A prime breakout target if not for Serge Ibaka, Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Jeff Green occupying spots in the same Orlando Magic frontcourt.

Festus Ezeli — The only things standing in his way with the Portland Trail Blazers are starting center Mason Plumlee and the same ongoing knee issues that have hindered his career thus far.

Marcus Smart — The Boston Celtics are ready to make the leap, but having Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley in the same backcourt may limit Smart’s opportunity to shine just yet.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist — The time to show the world that tweaked jumper of his rapidly approaching, but we need to see him stay healthy for the Charlotte Hornets first.

Nikola Mirotic — With Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler in the backcourt, Mirotic is going to have to take a big step forward and spread the floor for the Chicago Bulls as a stretch-4.

Alex Len — If there were ever a time to take Tyson Chandler‘s tutelage to heart and surpass him in the Phoenix Suns‘ starting lineup, it’s now.

Apr 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) shoots the ball during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. San Antonio won 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

15. Rodney Hood

Pretty much every Utah Jazz starter except George Hill could qualify for this category as the team looks to make the leap from lottery-bound to legitimate playoff squad in 2016-17. But since Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors have already enjoyed mini-breakout seasons, we’re going to take a look at Rodney Hood and all of his playmaking potential.

With Dante Exum sidelined by an ACL tear and Trey Burke being Trey Burke, most of Utah’s facilitating duties last year fell to Hood and Hayward, who ran the offense as the ball handlers in pick-and-roll sets and operated as iso-scorers.

Though Hood only averaged 2.7 assists per game, they also came with a career-high 14.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He only shot 42 percent from the field, but he did convert 35.9 percent of his three-pointers in just his second season.

With Hill added to the starting lineup and Exum back, Hood won’t be needed for his playmaking as much. But after a season of growth in that area, he’ll now be able to link that experience with a greater emphasis on being a spot-up shooter and iso-scorer.

With Joe Johnson being brought on board, Hood will have plenty to learn from a seven-time All-Star. His numbers may not stand out as much, especially if the Jazz stay healthy, but make no mistake about it: A breakout season from Rodney Hood is coming within the next few years.

Feb 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

14. Devin Booker

Though he’s the youngest player on this list at age 19 and is only entering his second season, Devin Booker has wasted no time in generating some considerable hype. Entering his sophomore year with the Phoenix Suns, there’s a legitimate chance he’s ready to explode onto the scene.

Though Booker will likely still be a woeful defender in 2016-17, he has the intelligence, length and size at 6’6″ to improve on that end with the proper diligence and more experience. On the offensive end of the floor, however, he’s already shown plenty of skills well beyond his years.

In his first season, Booker averaged 17.4 points, 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game in his 51 starts. The only reason the efficiency of that silky smooth jumper dipped was because he became the No. 1 option on offense for an injury-depleted Suns team. Most fans are ready to see him start over Brandon Knight at shooting guard.

The hype train for Devin Booker is very real. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors last year, played for the USA Basketball Select Team over the summer, dominated Summer League and even had Drake rocking his jersey at Phoenix concerts.

If Eric Bledsoe or Knight get injured again, if the losses start piling up or if Booker proves he’s ready to surpass Knight in the lineup in training camp, his inevitable breakout season could come as early as 2016-17.

Apr 22, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy talks with guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

13. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics are in a class of their own in the East, but the Detroit Pistons could be one of the conference’s most improved teams coming off their first playoff appearance since 2009.

Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and even Tobias Harris are the faces of the franchise right now, and Stanley Johnson adds even more excitement to the core as a young wing on the rise. But one of the more fundamentally sound players that hardly anyone ever talks about is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who might already be Detroit’s best two-way player.

Last season, KCP only put up 14.5 points and 1.4 steals per game, shooting just 42 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from three-point range. But he was one of the few players in the league last season to experience mild success guarding Stephen Curry last year and his playoff debut was very encouraging.

It was only a four-game sample size, but Caldwell-Pope was one of Detroit’s best performers in that series, averaging 15.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range.

Those are numbers the Pistons could certainly live with in 2016-17, and as KCP enters his fourth year in the league, this 23-year-old could be ready for a breakout season establishing himself as one of the league’s up-and-coming two-way shooting guards.

Mar 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the Pepsi Center. The Mavericks defeated the Nuggets 97-88. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

12. Gary Harris

Speaking of 3-and-D shooting guards on the rise, Gary Harris definitely deserves more love than he’s gotten over the last few months.

Despite proving himself as one of the NBA’s lockdown defenders for his position and putting up career-highs in scoring (12.3 points per game), field goal percentage (46.9), three-point percentage (35.4) and steals (1.3 per game), this Denver Nuggets sophomore was widely overlooked.

In fact, most people are wondering if Jamal Murray, Denver’s No. 7 overall pick in the draft this year, was brought on to replace him — right after a promising second season from Harris affirmed his long-term spot on the roster.

Now, nothing is ever guaranteed in this league, so perhaps his fit in Denver is not a completely foregone conclusion. But in addition to his stellar defense, which, again, is among the best in the league for his position, Harris made major strides from his rookie season in nearly every way.

At age 22, Harris has three years on the rookie Murray, he has a far more consistent three-point stroke, he improved leaps and bounds from his rookie year, and his defense makes him a perfect fit for what Michael Malone is trying to build in the Mile High City. A legitimate breakout season in 2016-17 wouldn’t be surprising as he fights to ensure his place in the rotation for the long haul.

Apr 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

11. Andrew Wiggins

Technically speaking, maybe a guy who averaged 20.7 points per game last season already had something of a “breakout season.” But there’s a difference between putting up big scoring numbers on a 29-win team and becoming the total package for a more demanding head coach like Tom Thibodeau.

In his first year under Thibs, there’s a good chance we see significant improvement from Wiggins on the defensive end of the floor. He already has the tools to become an elite wing defender; now he’ll have the proper instruction as well.

After averaging 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game last season, there’s also a good chance this third-year phenom begins to develop the other areas of his game. None is more important than his three-point shooting, which came in at a paltry 30 percent last year.

Putting up nearly 21 points a night was impressive for the NBA sophomore, but it didn’t lead to very many wins after the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ surprising 8-8 start.

In Year 3, under a defensive-minded coach who’s going to demand a lot from him a la Jimmy Butler, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this 21-year-old start to put it all together in a louder kind of breakout season.

Mar 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and forward Clint Capela (15) talk during a break in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

10. Clint Capela

With Dwight Howard gone and the Houston Rockets going all in on a high-powered offense, Clint Capela‘s breakout season is going to need to come a bit sooner than expected. In just his third season, this 22-year-old will be tasked with preventing Houston’s defense from being a complete dumpster fire.

James Harden in Mike D’Antoni‘s system will be thrilling to watch, but with his well-documented flaws on the defensive end, not to mention the additions of shoot-first, defend-never players like Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon, Houston’s 21st ranked defense from last season is going to be even worse in 2016-17.

Capela, who averaged 7.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.1 minutes per game last season, has the raw talent to be a defensive anchor. He’s shown signs of great shot-blocking instinct and this season, he’s a safe bet to average a double-double.

It’s not just the defensive end where Capela will be expected to make strides, however, since the young Swiss center may also be a terrific piece of D’Antoni’s pick-and-roll offense as the screen-setter and rim-runner.

Nene Hilario is not exactly what you’d picture when you think of positive veteran influences, but he’ll be able to teach Capela a thing or two. It’s unfair to put so much responsibility on a 22-year-old like Capela this soon, but drastic times call for drastic improvement.

Mar 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) dribbles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 92-84. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

9. Myles Turner

Like with Devin Booker, it might be too soon to expect a breakout year from Myles Turner in his sophomore NBA season. But with Ian Mahinmi gone and Turner expected to fill the void at the starting center spot, the Indiana Pacers are ready to jumpstart the future.

As a future stretch-5, Turner already has one of the best shooting strokes on the roster. He only shot 21.4 percent from three-point range on 0.2 attempts per game as a rookie, but this 6’11” big is going to be able to spread the floor from beyond the arc soon enough.

Even if that doesn’t happen as soon as 2016-17, Turner can be expected to spread the floor out to the midrange, block shots as the team’s rim protector and hopefully improve on the defensive glass. At such a young age, he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.

As a rookie, Turner averaged a promising 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, shooting 49.8 percent from the floor and showing flashes that he would be ready to usurp Mahinmi in the starting role in the near future.

There won’t be any competition for the starting job this time around, and with so many offensive weapons around him like Paul George, Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, Turner can focus on anchoring the defense and knocking down the open looks the offense generates.

Apr 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts after scoring during the second half in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

8. Jeremy Lin

Technically, Jeremy Lin already had his breakout season back in 2011-12, when “Linsanity” first came onto the scene during his stint with the New York Knicks.

But in the three seasons since, he hasn’t put up the same kind of numbers, he’s been demoted to a backup role three different times and he’s only now getting another chance to lead a team as its starting point guard. Resurgence, breakout year, call it what you want, but Lin is going to have the ball in his hands a lot this season.

On a Brooklyn Nets team devoid of real offensive talent outside of Brook Lopez, Lin will get a tremendous opportunity to put up career numbers. That may not lead to many wins on a team severely lacking in firepower, but Linsanity is finally returning to the Big Apple.

Putting Lin in a pick-and-roll with Lopez should be one of the main pillars of Brooklyn’s offense this season, putting both players in position to be successful. After averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in a bench role last season, Lin playing starter’s minutes is only going to boost his numbers.

This will probably be a case of “great numbers on a terrible team,” but Jeremy Lin is a player to keep an eye on now that he’s back at the helm of an NBA team, where he’ll reunite with the same Kenny Atkinson who was an assistant in NY during the outbreak of Linsanity.

May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) reacts to a call in action against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

7. Steven Adams

To this point in his fledgling NBA career, Steven Adams has largely benefitted from having two top-five players on his team in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. But with KD gone and Adams coming off the most promising playoff series of his life, the future appears very bright.

At only 23 years old, Adams is already one of the most well-rounded, toughest centers in the league. Getting hit with an Adams screen is like running into one of the stone heads from Easter Island, he’s already found his way under most opposing players’ skins and at just 22 years old, he’s displayed some innate passing ability.

Last season, Adams averaged 8.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 61.3 percent from the field. In the playoffs, however, he established himself as a potential top-five center, averaging 10.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while grounding one of the postseason’s nastiest defenses.

Adams is already an electric finisher at the rim as a regular alley-oop threat. With KD gone and Westbrook running the show, Adams will need to step up on the offensive end while also gobbling up all the available rebounds left by Durant and Serge Ibaka’s departures.

Westbrook is a dynamic facilitator, and with him and Adams building that pick-and-roll chemistry, there’s no reason — other than some sort of unforeseen injury — that he won’t be able to deliver a breakout season for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016-17.

Mar 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

6. Karl-Anthony Towns

Like Andrew Wiggins, perhaps Karl-Anthony Towns won’t be ready for that defining breakout season in the first year under Tom Thibodeau. To be fair, his Rookie of the Year campaign may have already been a breakout season of sorts, with the future MVP putting up 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game on 54.2 percent shooting.

But there’s no question the sky is the limit for this 20-year-old, and in his first season under Thibs, the rest of the league should be very worried that he’s about to find his wings.

Towns was already a two-way stud in his first NBA season; adding another year of internal growth and a defensive mastermind like Thibodeau is only going to make him that much more terrifying. This is a young team on the rise, and Towns is the centerpiece of their bright future.

KAT only shot 34.1 percent from three-point range, so that’s one area he can probably improve in his sophomore season. If he’s able to do so and bump up his numbers across the board, an Anthony Davis-like leap in Year 2 certainly isn’t out of the question.

The Minnesota Timberwolves might not meet everyone’s “dark horse playoff team” expectations, and Towns still might be a season away from truly arriving. But with as good as he is now, there’s a chance Towns is already prepared to make the leap to NBA stardom.

Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) during the third quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

5. Dennis Schroder

With Jeff Teague on the move to the Indiana Pacers via trade, the fate of the Atlanta Hawks‘ offense rests entirely in Dennis Schroder‘s young but capable hands. At age 23, the German floor general is ready to show the world why head coach Mike Budenholzer often played Schroder over Teague in crunch-time situations, especially during the playoffs.

In a backup role last season, Schroder averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 assists in just 20.3 minutes per game. In the six games he started, he put up 13.7 points and 5.5 assists per game.

There are definitely areas he still needs to work on. He’s awfully turnover-prone (2.3 per game last year), he’s inconsistent in big-game situations (as we saw in the postseason when he couldn’t seem to buy a layup), and he desperately needs to refine his shooting after posting .421/.322/.791 shooting splits.

However, Schroder is still young and has shown plenty of signs of potential, such as his 27-point, six-assist performance in the first game of Atlanta’s playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This kid has a competitive fire in him, he’s got a chip on his shoulder and he’s been waiting for his opportunity to take over Teague’s job in the starting lineup. In 2016-17, he’ll get his chance to do so, and though he’ll probably take his licks, he should make tons of progress as well.

Oct 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Utah Jazz won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

4. Rudy Gobert

The Utah Jazz are poised to make the leap from perennial lottery team to legitimate playoff squad in 2016-17, so we could see breakout seasons throughout their starting five. But since Rudy Gobert didn’t quite make the leap as we predicted in 2015-16, perhaps 2016-17 will be his year.

Gobert didn’t have a bad season last year by any means. The French Rejection averaged 9.1 points, a team-leading 11.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game on 55.9 percent shooting, more than doing his part despite missing 21 games due to injury.

Give him a full season and a chance to expand his offensive game a little bit, and not only will Gobert enjoy a true breakout season, but he may emerge as a frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year Award since he’ll be the anchor for one of the NBA’s most stifling defenses.

With more shooters and scorers like George Hill and Joe Johnson joining the mix, plus the returns of Alec Burks and Dante Exum, plus another year of internal growth for Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood, the Jazz have plenty of weapons on offense.

But if Gobert can just manage to reach double digits in the scoring column, put up big rebounding and shot-blocking numbers, and anchor an elite defense, this could be the season this 24-year-old Frenchman establishes himself as an elite two-way center.

Apr 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) looks to take the shot during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

3. Bradley Beal

Our No. 1 candidate for a breakout season on last year’s list, Bradley Beal had yet another season derailed by injury problems in 2015-16. Beal missed 27 games due to injury, derailing the Washington Wizards‘ playoff hopes and their outside chance at landing Kevin Durant in free agency.

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At only 23 years old, Beal has only reached the 70-game threshold once through his first four seasons in the league. He’s missed 81 total games in that span, or, roughly one-fourth of his entire NBA career.

However, we’ve seen enough promise from “Playoff Bradley Beal” to know he’s capable of elevating his game when he’s 100 percent healthy; he just needs the opportunity to stay on the court and put it all together over the course of a full 82-game season.

Last year, Beal averaged a career-high 17.4 points per game and shot 38.7 percent from three-point range. But after putting up 23.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game during Washington’s 2015 playoff run, Beal’s injury-riddled 2015-16 season was a major letdown.

In 2016-17, Beal will be fighting to prove that he can not only stay on the court, but also that he can live up to his massive five-year, $128 million contract extension. If he can just stay healthy, he’s a safe bet to finally enjoy the breakout season Wizards fans have been waiting for.

Apr 8, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dunks during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Miami Heat 112-109. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Victor Oladipo

Victor Oladipo seemed primed for a breakout year in his third NBA season, but thanks to head coach Scott Skiles, Dipo’s lackluster three-point shot and the positional overlap on the Orlando Magic roster, it just didn’t happen last year.

Thanks to the Serge Ibaka trade, Oladipo now joins Russell Westbrook on the Oklahoma City Thunder to form quite possibly the most athletic backcourt duo in the NBA…ever. If there were an ideal time for Oladipo to break loose and separate himself from an underwhelming 2015-16 season in Orlando, it’d probably be now.

There are some reasons for concern, of course. Kevin Durant’s departure means Oladipo doesn’t get to play for a legitimate title contender, even if the Thunder are an upgrade from the Magic. KD’s absence also puts a ton of pressure on Oladipo and the rest of OKC’s wings to shoot the ball efficiently from three-point range to spread the floor.

Oladipo only shot a career-high 34.8 percent from downtown last season, so even though he averaged 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, this 24-year-old might not be able to spread the floor for Westbrook’s driving lanes just yet.

However, between his stifling defense, breathtaking athleticism and the fact that he put up an 18-4-4 stat line the year before Skiles took over in Orlando, Oladipo is not a player to give up on. If he and Westbrook can turn defense into fast break opportunities, the Thunder will be a nightmare to play in what will be Oladipo’s best chance for a breakout season.

Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the game against the Orlando Magic at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo

With Khris Middleton sidelined for at least sixth months due to a torn hamstring, the Milwaukee Bucks are unlikely to break through in 2016-17. But just because the Bucks lost the most dangerous perimeter shooter in their starting five doesn’t mean that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t have a breakout season of his own.

True enough, without Middleton to spread the floor and with a complete non-shooter like Michael Carter-Williams in the backcourt, the Greek Freak will have a harder time getting to the basket as the team’s de facto point guard.

But even if the driving lanes aren’t there, this 6’11” mass of lengthy limbs only needs to take about two steps to get to the basket anyway. After his stellar play following the All-Star break, it’s all too tempting to expect big things from Antetokounmpo in his fourth season.

In 2015-16, Giannis averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor and an uninspiring 25.7 percent from downtown.

After the All-Star break, however, he recorded five triple-doubles and averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. If he can improve his three-point touch even a little bit, continue to be a Swiss Army knife on offense and envelope opposing players with his length on the defensive end, he could very well be an All-Star this season.

The absence of Middleton postpones the internal development of Milwaukee’s three-man core for another year, but the Greek Freak could very well enjoy a breakout season regardless. At age 21 and fresh off a four-year, $100 million contract extension, Antetokounmpo has one of the brightest futures in the NBA. With Middleton out and the pressure on Giannis to produce, the 2016-17 season could be a very special one.

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