NBA: 10 Breakout Players To Watch For In 2013-14

Every season we get to see certain players put together a performance that forever changes their career. Whether it is due to an increase in minutes, an improvement in their game or a move to another team, young players can drastically increase their production from one season to another and go from obscurity to an NBA headline. Here are 10 breakout players to watch for in the 2013-14 season.

John Wall is ready to become an NBA All-Star. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

John Wall, Washington Wizards

Injuries derailed the 2012-13 season for John Wall and the Washington Wizards, but once healthy Wall was among the league’s best guards in February and March. A former No. 1 overall pick, Wall entered the league with rare physical abilities and the potential to be a franchise-changing star. While he struggled through his first two seasons with his shooting efficiency and turnovers, by the end of the season he showed vast improvement in both areas. The Wizards were a playoff-caliber team with Wall healthy and next season not only could they jump into the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but Wall could easily elevate himself to an NBA All-Star.

Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Jimmy Butler has become a staple in the Chicago Bulls’ starting lineup in the playoffs and his defensive abilities have endeared him to coach Tom Thibodeau. Towards the end of the season and into the postseason, Butler has seen his minutes skyrocket to the point he is playing nearly 40 per game and it would seem he will play a key role for the team from day one next season. Butler’s defensive abilities and versatility are earning him the minutes, but his offense continues to improve and he could see a huge bump in production next season.

Larry Sanders, Milwaukee Bucks

Larry Sanders one of the 2012-13 season’s most improved players and will look to continue building on that momentum next season. Sanders became one of the league’s most imposing interior defenders and while his role in Milwaukee grew gradually over the course of the season, he looks poised to be a key player next season and beyond. With his per-minute production in rebounds and blocks as well as his efficient shooting, a full season with extended minutes could mean big things for Larry Sanders.

Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic

Nikola Vucevic was an underrated acquisition for the Orlando Magic in the Dwight Howard trade and surprised the league by becoming one of the NBA’s most prolific rebounders this season. Already a staple in the Magic’s starting lineup, Vucevic is just 22 years old and will continue to improve now that he has experienced his first season with starter’s minutes. The Magic will continue to rebuild and experiment with young players and draft picks, but the one certainty seems to be Vucevic holding down the center position and becoming one of the league’s most productive big men.

Ricky Rubio is one of the league’s most exciting young players. Photo Credit: Joe Bielawa, Flickr.com

Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves

One of the league’s most exciting and unique young players, Ricky Rubio’s career stalled with a significant knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for a great deal of this season. Rubio had a chance to return to the court for the final few months and gradually he regained his confidence and game fitness. With another offseason to improve and hopefully a healthy roster to work with in Minnesota, Rubio will again be one of the league’s most entertaining players and could see a huge elevation in his play with a full healthy season.

Derrick Favors should get a chance to start next season in Utah. (NBA.com photo)

Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have reached a crossroads with their starting frontcourt of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap both hitting the free-agent market and unlikely to return to a young and rebuilding team. Derrick Favors has had the chance to develop behind two experienced professionals and his role off the bench will help him in his inevitable move into the starting lineup. An imposing big man with great strength, rebounding, defense and finishing ability, Favors will become the Jazz’s go-to player in the frontcourt and will see a huge elevation in his statistics next season. The key for Favors will be to avoid foul trouble, if he can stay on the court Favors will be one of the most improved big men in the game.

Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns

Having been an understudy to Suns legend Steve Nash in the past, and with Nash’s move to the Los Angeles Lakers, it seemed like 2012-13 would be a coming out party for Goran Dragic as he returned to Phoenix. While Dragic was productive, it was not the breakout season that most expected and he will look towards making a big jump next season. If the Suns can get their roster in order and build around Dragic’s playmaking abilities in the offseason, he will have a chance to really excel and should be among the league’s leaders in assists.

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

One of the league’s greatest raw talents, it is time for DeMarcus Cousins to step up and take his game to the next level. If Cousins can stay focused and eliminate the issues that have plagued his young career, he could become one of the best centers in the league. While he has shown flashes of dominance since he entered the league, it is consistency that Cousins has lacked up to this point and next season will be a key one in his development. While there is a chance that he never overcomes the maturity issues that have resulted in a number of suspensions in his young career, if you bank on his talent coming through in the end, Cousins is about to become a force.

Eric Bledsoe could find himself in a new situation next season. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

Eric Bledsoe, Los Angeles Clippers

In the offseason, Clippers star Chris Paul will be a free agent and regardless of his decision, Eric Bledsoe could see himself in a starting role next season. If Paul leaves, Bledsoe is the obvious choice to take over, but if Paul stays the Clippers could deal Bledsoe to another team before having to lose him in free agency. Bledsoe is one of the league’s most impactful bench point guards with his energy, athleticism and defense. If he could get free reign as a starter, he would see a huge jump in his statistics and would likely be among the league’s most improved players.

Ed Davis, Memphis Grizzlies

Ed Davis had just started to consistently produce in Toronto before he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he has mostly been buried on the bench. With little time to acclimate himself with his new team before the postseason, Davis will be a spectator for the rest of this season as the Grizzlies try to advance through the Western Conference playoffs. With an offseason to work with the team and undeniable physical talents, it is likely Davis will make Darrell Arthur expendable and become the third big man in the Grizzlies frontcourt. With tutors like Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, Davis may have taken one step back to go two steps forward next season.