Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 12 percent of the maximum amount possible
Evan Mobley (Cleveland)
One of the 20 executives polled voted for Evan Mobley as his top breakout candidate.
“Mobley’s a major focal point of his team,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “He had a very good season last year, but with his youth and skill set, he has room for much more upside. Adding Donovan Mitchell will help.”
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 9 percent of the maximum possible amount
Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City)
One of the 20 executives polled voted for Josh Giddey as his top breakout candidate. Giddey tied for the seventh-most triple-doubles in a rookie season (4) in NBA history.
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 8 percent of the maximum possible amount
Zion Williamson (New Orleans)
One of the 20 executives polled voted for Zion Williamson as his top breakout candidate, which was a bit surprising.
Justin Ford-Getty Images
Share of the vote: 7 percent of the maximum possible amount
Cade Cunningham (Detroit)
One of the 20 executives polled voted for Cunningham as his top breakout candidate. Pistons forward Marvin Bagley III called Cunningham an All-Star-level player in a recent HoopsHype interview.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dejounte Murray, James Wiseman, Kevin Porter Jr., Marvin Bagley III
Share of the vote: 5 percent of the maximum possible amount
Murray, Wiseman, Porter Jr., and Bagley III each received one general manager’s top vote for the best breakout candidate.
As noted on a recent HoopsHype podcast on the Warriors, one general manager who voted for Wiseman said, “We just saw the best of him in Japan. They’ll feature him in ways that’ll make his life easy.”
David Berding-Getty Images
Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota)
Share of the vote: 4 percent of the maximum possible amount
The Timberwolves have been reluctant to include McDaniels in several trade discussions over the years and are banking on a breakout season from the forward as he moves into the starting lineup.
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 3 percent of the maximum possible amount
De’Aaron Fox, Jalen Brunson, Herb Jones, Onyeka Okongwu, OG Anunoby, Terance Mann
No player mentioned in this group will have more responsibility than Jalen Brunsonwho signed a four-year, $104 million deal to become the starting point guard for the New York Knicks.
“Brunson is really good on the ball,” one NBA general manager told HoopsHype. “He’s been good for years, but his touches are going to triple, so everyone is going to say he’s improved.”
Kevin C. Cox-Getty Images
Share of the vote: 2 percent of the maximum possible amount
De’Andre Hunter, Desmond Bane
For the Hawks to take the next step as a franchise, they’ll need a breakout season from Hunter, as one general manager told HoopsHype. Atlanta just rewarded the forward with a four-year, $95 million extension and is counting on it.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 1 percent of the maximum possible amount
Kristaps Porzingis, Davion Mitchell, Devin Vassell
Kristaps Porzingis was in phenomenal shape and was the best player during training camp. He’s primed for a big season ahead as one of the top free agents available next summer in our HoopsHype rankings.
You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto
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