NBA Players Poised for a Breakout Season

Benedict Mathurin

Last season Mathurin opened the year on the bench before steadily earning more minutes as the season progressed. This year he will have a more concrete role and a consistent spot in the starting lineup, where he’ll likely play 32-34 minutes a game. After scoring 16.7 points per game (PPG) as a rookie, Mathurin should be able to crack the 20 PPG mark if he can increase his efficiency from 43.4 percent from the floor and 32.3 percent from three. Mathurin already excels at getting to and converting from the free throw line, shooting 82.3 percent on 5.8 attempts per game. Generally, the most consistent NBA scorers are the ones who live at the free throw line, so Mathurin looks poised to establish himself as one of the league's top-scoring threats over the next decade. For Mathurin to truly establish himself as an All-Star level player, however, he needs to improve his playmaking since he averaged only 1.5 assists per game last year.

Tyus Jones

Since being drafted, Tyus Jones has excelled at minimizing turnovers while racking up assists off the bench for the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. In fact, Jones has never averaged even one turnover per game. This year, Jones looks poised to start for the Washington Wizards with no one but career journeyman Delon Wright to compete for minutes. As a result, Jones looks poised to handle the ball more than ever before and should see a massive jump from last season, 10.3 PPG and 5.2 assists per game (APG). Jones should establish himself as a solid NBA starting point guard and could challenge for the NBA’s assist leader crown.

Jabari Smith

It's no secret that Smith struggled as a rookie. The Houston Rockets were in total disarray, with virtually no competent veterans to right the ship. After adding NBA veterans like Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green, Smith should have solid locker room leadership around him this coming season. Smith averaged just 12.8 PPG along with 7.3 rebounds per game (RPG) and 1.3 APG as a rookie but had a bit of a summer league breakout. Smith only played two games but was probably the best player to step foot on a summer league court this year, putting up 35.5 PPG and 13.5 free throw attempts. If Smith can raise his efficiency from 40.8 percent from the floor and 30.7 percent from three to around 45 percent and 35 percent while increasing his free throw attempts from 2.6, we will likely see him average 18 points a game.