Who will be the NBA’s next breakout player?

Every season, new players make big improvements and become better players to help their teams. This past season players like Bam Adebayo, Devonte Graham and Brandon Ingram have all made huge leaps and they have become much better players.  

My pick for a player who will have a huge year next year is Norman Powell of the Toronto Raptors.  He’s a big energy player as a starter and when he comes off the bench he’s shown that he can fill it up! His valuable light it up mentality, where he’s not afraid to shoot the ball is a very important piece of being a standout NBA player. There are many rumors around Powell, including one which may have him ending up in Philadelphia, along with Kyle Lowry, so that the Raptors can land Lamelo Ball.  Powell has one more year under contract, until his player option, which he will most likely decline in a search for more money.  

Norman Powell was averaging the 25^th most points per game in the entire league after the all-star break earning himself a player of the week.nod. Norman Powell has been the 4^th,  or some games even 5^th option on offence but he still finds a way to score. His big 37-point night against the Warriors in March, was the main reason Powell got the player of the week nod. This season alone, Powell is averaging 8 more points per game. The best part of Powell`s game is the efficiency. Many younger guards struggle to shoot over 50% as they are taking tougher shots, but Powell is shooting a hot 52% from the field and just under 40% from three. The 27-year-old is poised to take that big step to become a 20 point per game player.  

The role for Powell next season is unknown, but could be a valuable trade chip in making a trade with a team looking to compete or a younger team in need of value. If Powell played in a different situation, in Golden State or Atlanta, there is no doubt to me that he could lead a team with over 20 points per game and maybe even make a name for himself to be selected to an all-star team. The next step for Powell to become the star player he wants to be, is improving his all-around game. He is already a solid defender, but his overall playmaking and ball control is not yet at that same level. Almost every great scorer can handle the ball extremely well, and a space creating crossover or even a nice behind the back could be an unreal addition to Norman Powell`s game.  

On defense, he is averaging 1.3 steals a game, and that has him just out of the top 50 for steals per game throughout the entire league. Norman Powell`s skill has never been in question, rather it has always been his consistency, and he must improve this. When he struggles to find looks, he can very easily be shut down. His offensive consistency shouldn’t come from forcing bad shots but in having an ability to find shots no matter what the game. With added ball control and consistency there will be nothing holding Norman Powell back from stardom. 

This article is original content published by sports writer Matthew White. Please feel free to link to and discuss this article but do not copy content.

Check out this awesome autographed Raptors super star! Is Norman Powell next?