Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins was the first-overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft for a reason, so it was no surprise when he played at such a high level from the outset and was eventually recognized with the Rookie of the Year award.
However, Wiggins’ rookie performance was certainly more of an exception to the rule than the normal. For the most part, it usually takes time for young players to play a more prominent role in the NBA.
Here is a look at the second and third-year NBA players primed for a big year in 2015-16.
Otto Porter Jr., Washington Wizards
Third Year
Porter’s rookie season was also slowed by injuries but he came on strong in last year’s playoffs and has carried over the momentum from the postseason in this year’s NBA Summer League. The Wizards failed to sign Paul Pierce in the offseason and one of the reasons is that they believe that Porter is ready to take over as the team’s starting small forward role. He will get every opportunity to prove himself this season. Porter is a versatile wing with the athleticism and shooting ability to thrive at the NBA level and he could be poised for a breakout season in a bigger role.
T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns
Second Year
Warren is set to come off the bench in his third NBA season but when you consider P.J. Tucker’s offensive limitations and the fact that Warren hit 53% of his shots from the field last season, it’s clear he should be primed for a bigger role. Warren has the highest upside of the options that the Suns have on the wing and it helps even more that Markieff Morris no long wants to play for the Suns. After Warren averaged 18.7 points per game in the NBA Summer League, he should be poised for a bigger role in Phoenix this season.
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
Second Year
Boston has a talented core of backcourt players including Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, but they are still very high on the sixth-overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft in Smart. He could be poised for a breakthrough season. Playing time could still be a limiting factor at this point in the crowded Celtics backcourt but Smart has been an absolute beast in this year’s NBA Summer League. He will be rewarded with opportunity if he can carry over that production in to the regular season. Smart still has to prove he can be a consistent scorer but his defense and passing instincts alone will be enough for him to carve out a bigger role for Boston this season.
Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz
Second Year
The 23rd-overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft finished his rookie season on a high note when he averaged 11.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 26 games after the All-Star break. He appears poised to continue building on that performance in his second season. Utah has a plethora of young guards with Alec Burks, Trey Burke and Raul Nieto, but there should be more minutes now that Dante Exum is out for the season. Hood is one of the best wing scorers on the team and is one of their best three-point shooters. That makes him a prime candidate for a big season.
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Second Year
Gordon had a tough time staying on the floor for Orlando last season but if he can avoid the injury issues that plagued him a year ago, then he could be poised for a breakout season. Gordon has all of the tools to thrive at the NBA level including the size, strength, athleticism and scoring touch and he looked dominant in this year’s NBA Summer League where he averaged 21.7 points per game while hitting six of his 12 three-point shot attempts. The potential is there for Gordon to develop in to one of the league’s premier big men and if he can stay healthy, then he could be in for a breakthrough season. The Magic need him in the frontcourt.
