Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan and Kristaps Porzingis are all back among Atlantic Division teams heading in to the 2017-18 season. While those NBA stars aren’t going anywhere right now, there is also a handful of younger players primed to take that next step towards stardom in that division this coming year. Here is a look at the potential breakout stars in the NBA’s Atlantic division this season.
SF: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
The Celtics are that much deeper heading in to the 2017-18 season with Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum all capable of playing on the wing. Originally, it looked like that would make it tougher for Brown to earn playing time. However, the Celtics traded away Jae Crowder this week, which should opening up decent minutes in Boston’s rotation. If so, he could be in for a breakout season.
Brown played 17.2 minutes per game as a rookie last season. While he wasn’t the most dynamic offensive player, his incredible defensive play earned him a strong reputation around the NBA. And then we got an idea of what he would look like this year when he shined in the Summer League as well as the Basketball Without Borders game in Africa. That’s probably what gave the Celtics confidence to move Crowder.
Brown will once again be leaned on for his athleticism and 6’7’’ wingspan with the chance to continue to develop in to one of the better defenders in the association. After averaging 6.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game a year ago, Brown could be in for a breakout season in the NBA.
SG: Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors
Raptors fans have witnessed glimpses of Powell’s potential over the past couple of years. Anybody that has watched him enough knows that he is close to breaking out in a major way. It could happen this way following the departures of DeMarre Carroll and P.J. Tucker, with Powell set to see more minutes. Powell averaged 11.7 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 44.1-percent from beyond the arc last season. The athletic shooting guard has been working on his game in order to maximize his potential in Toronto. After flashing his potential the last two years, Powell is primed for a breakout year for the Raptors.
C: Willy Hernangomez, New York Knicks
Hernangomez produced at a high level in New York down the stretch last season. The rookie center averaged 11.5 points and 9.2 rebounds after the NBA All-Star break, which gave the Knicks the confidence they needed to give him a bigger opportunity this season. Hernangomez isn’t the best athlete but he is strong and physical under the rim and he can dominate the boards while finishing at the rim. Porzingis is still the most prized player in New York. Hernangomez could be the perfect compliment as part of a formidable 1-2 punch in the Knicks frontcourt.
PG: Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
The entire 76ers roster is loaded with young talent with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid returning from injury and J.J. Redick joining the club in the offseason. Philadelphia also added Fultz with the first-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. While Embiid and Simmons are both primed for big years, Fultz is the best bet to surprise as a breakout player this coming season. The athletic point guard will benefit from all of the talent around him as a playmaker. If he proves he can handle big minutes, Fultz should be a breakout player to watch in his rookie season.
PG: D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn’s desire to add potential star talent through trades finally came to fruition with the addition of Russell in the offseason. The second-overall pick from the 2015 NBA Draft quickly wore out his welcome in Los Angeles and was traded to the Nets in the offseason. Now he has the potential to be the man in Brooklyn heading in to his third NBA season. Russell averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game in 28.7 minutes per game last season. Nobody will be surprised if he delivers even better numbers more playing time as the feature guard for the Nets in 2017-18.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
