Every year, the NBA and its players never fail to disappoint.
While the league is pretty predictable, there are still plenty of surprises every season especially from athletes who make the jump from being a solid starter to All-Star calibre player.
Of course, predicting those who are primed to make the leap to star status is easier said than done. After all, who would have thought that Victor Oladipo would make the All-Star team last year after he was traded to the Indiana Pacers from Oklahoma in exchange for Paul George?
That’s where lies the beauty of the NBA. You just never know who will surprise you every year!
Here at SBOBET, however, we tried our best to name five players (and five dark horses) who are well positioned for a breakout campaign this 2018/19.
Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
Lonzo had a fairly underwhelming rookie season…that is if you consider the hype his father, LaVar Ball, created around him.
The second overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft actually showed great potential in his first season with the Lakers, averaging 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 52 games. In fact, his assist tally is second among rookies, only behind Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons.
Ball has all the makings of an elite defensive floor general; and with LeBron James now in the Lakers fold, he is well poised to increase his numbers and impact on both ends of the floor.
His atrocious 30.5 percent three-point shooting remains a concern, but if he can up that number even just by five percent, LA could dream of returning to “Showtime Lakers” once again.
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Do you still remember that time last year when the Orlando Magic were at the top of the Eastern Conference? Those were good days indeed, and as basketball junkies know, it was Gordon who was behind that Magic rise.
The 22-year-old University of Arizona product had 11 games with more than 20 points, including a couple of 40-point outings; and with Orlando retooling—adding the defensive-minded Mo Bamba from the draft—it’s safe to expect Gordon to feature more on the offensive end.
Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs
Coach Gregg Popovich has unofficially handed the keys of the Spurs offence to Dejounte Murray.
As you would have probably learned from the latest NBA 2018 news, the Spurs have let Tony Parker walk away and have recently traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan.
With their first-choice point guard gone and face of the franchise out, Murray is now up to the task of developing into the team’s primary ball handler and floor general.
Murray averaged just 8.1 points, 2.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 81 games (41 starts) for the Spurs last season, but we predict him to at least double those figures in the upcoming season now that he’s in place to become a regular starter.
D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are now D’Angelo Russell’s team, and it’s time for him to step up and take the spotlight in New York.
Brooklyn traded Jeremy Lin recently, and that should open the way for Russell to become the team’s primary scorer and shot creator.
After missing almost half of the 2017/18 season due to arthroscopic surgery last November, Russell struggled mightily in his return and ended up averaging just 15.5 markers and 5.2 dimes. However, before his knee injury that required operation, the former Lakers guard was putting up 21 points night in and night out.
If he remains healthy this year, we should be able to see more of Russell’s offensive brilliance.
Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks
It’s common knowledge in the league that Dennis Smith Jr. and rookie guard Luka Doncic are the cornerstones of the Dallas franchise. And with the Mavericks determined to develop them into All-Star players quickly, the two—specifically Smith Jr.—could be in for a great season.
Based on the latest NBA 2018 odds, the Mavericks aren’t expected to make it to the playoffs in the ultra-tough Western Conference. While that’s not good for the fans, it’s a great opportunity for Smith Jr. to grow and polish his shooting.
With Doncic beside him and Harrison Barnes predicted to be the usual offensive threat he is, DSJ could see a huge increase in his overall numbers—particularly on the ball distribution department.
Other notable breakout candidates worth watching: Jonathan Isaac (Orlando Magic), Jabari Parker (Chicago Bulls), Buddy Hield (Sacramento Kings), Frank Ntilikina (New York Knicks), Dante Exum (Utah Jazz)
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