Five NBA Players Poised for Breakout Seasons

Breakout seasons for NBA players can sometimes be surprising, but often, there are hints of their potential before they shine for an entire season.

Shaedon Sharpe | Portland Trail Blazers:

Shaedon Sharpe saw his points per game jump from 9.9 in his rookie year to 15.9 in his second season, despite playing only 32 games due to abdomen surgery. Now healthy and one of the few reliable scorers on the Blazers, Sharpe is set for a big year. If you’ve lost faith in him, reconsider—he’s poised to deliver impressive stats even if Portland struggles overall.

Brandon Miller | Charlotte Hornets:

Brandon Miller had a standout rookie season with 17.3 points per game and a 37.3% three-point shooting rate on nearly seven attempts per game. With LaMelo Ball orchestrating the offense, Miller is expected to thrive even more this season. His performance last year suggests he could soon be part of All-Star conversations.

Bilal Coulibaly | Washington Wizards:

While Victor Wembanyama grabbed headlines among French rookies, Bilal Coulibaly showed significant promise in Washington. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 195 pounds, his defensive skills and coordination make him an exciting prospect as a secondary creator. Although the Wizards face tough times ahead, Coulibaly is likely to become a consistent contributor by the 2024-25 season.

Fans are really excited about these young talents!

Keegan Murray | Sacramento Kings:

Keegan Murray’s idea of a breakout might differ slightly; he averaged 15.2 points last season but with less efficiency compared to his rookie year. For Murray, improving his averages while regaining his initial efficiency would mark a successful breakout campaign.

Peyton Watson | Denver Nuggets:

Peyton Watson made notable strides from his first to second season and will likely play an even larger role in Denver’s rotation this year. The addition of veteran Russell Westbrook should help Watson maximize his high-energy playstyle. While questions linger about Denver’s bench depth, another leap from Watson could ease those concerns.