The 2014 NBA rookie class was one of the deepest in the league’s history and that includes Julius Randle, who was injured early on and Jabari Parker, who missed most of the season after he tore his ACL. There wasn’t much debate about who the Rookie of the Year award winner would be by the time Andrew Wiggins accepted the trophy. Wiggins is primed for another big year with the Minnesota Timberwolves while big things will be expected of Randle and Parker in Los Angeles and Milwaukee, but what about the rest of last year’s rookie class? Here is a look at the four NBA second-year players primed for a breakout season in 2015.
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
4th Overall Pick In 2015 NBA Draft
Gordon was limited by a broken bone in his foot in his rookie season but he showed flashes of his potential throughout the year and has all of the tools to thrive in Orlando this season. Gordon will be 20 years old when the season starts and at 6’9’’, 220 pounds and with a massive wingspan, the Magic will rely on him to step up big time in the paint at both ends of the floor. He looked great in Summer League action and should be a big factor this season. That experience as well as the adversity that Gordon had to overcome will ultimately help him in the long run. Big things are expected of the 2014 fourth overall pick this season.
Noah Vonleh, Portland Trail Blazers
9th Overall Pick In 2015 NBA Draft
The Trail Blazers dealt with some substantial personnel turnover this summer when a number of key free agents – including LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez – all left to sign somewhere else. Portland immediately went from fringe contender in the Western Conference to an afterthought, and after deciding not to overspend on second-tier veteran players, it looks like the franchise is committed to rebuilding with its young talent. Vonleh struggled to get on the floor for the Charlotte Hornets last season but the Trail Blazers believe in his potential enough that they traded for him as part of the Nic Batum deal. He was a lottery pick that the Hornets gave up on pretty quickly but the ninth overall pick dominated Summer League action and looks like a complete steal.
Vonleh will get every opportunity to show what he can do as a pick-and-roll option for Damian Lillard with an opportunity to see some big minutes at the power forward position. He’s just 20 years old and should grow significantly this season.
Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz
23rd Overall Pick In 2015 NBA Draft
Hood was outstanding for Utah down the stretch last season when he averaged 11.8 points and shot 46.4% from the field in 26 games after the All-Star break. The Jazz are high on Hood as a key piece on a young and talented backcourt and while Alec Burks is set to return for Utah, Hood is still expected to see big minutes as part of the team’s backcourt rotation. The Jazz were one of the surprise teams down the stretch last season and it will be interesting to see what they can do in the loaded Western Conference with Hood primed for a breakout year.
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Doug McDermott, Chicago Bulls
11th Overall Pick In 2015 NBA Draft
Head coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t give McDermott much of an opportunity as a rookie and that was one reason why Chicago decided to move on and hire a new head coach after the season. Thibodeau relied far too heavily on his veteran players and didn’t give them enough rest and it ultimately hurt the Bulls in the playoffs when several core players appeared to be playing tired. McDermott is an excellent perimeter shooter with the size to create matchup problems on the perimeter – not to unlike how current head coach Fred Hoiberg was as a player. He has the potential to thrive under Hoiberg, who is going to emphasize offense a whole lot more on this team.
