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NBA: 15 Young Players In Need Of A Breakout Season In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) drives to he basket against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) in the first quarter at Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) drives to he basket against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) in the first quarter at Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets guard K.J. McDaniels (32) passes the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

15. K.J. McDaniels

You might remember K.J. McDaniels from his time with the 2014-15 Philadelphia 76ers.

That might be because of his contract dispute with the team, which led to McDaniels accepting a one-year, non-guaranteed tender that would allow him to become a restricted free agent after his rookie season, or it might be because of his explosive athleticism that produced off-the-backboard dunks or unfathomable alley-oops:

In either case, it doesn’t really matter; the Sixers traded him at the deadline of his rookie season, and ever since joining the Houston Rockets, McDaniels has been largely unable to earn time on the floor.

As a rookie for that lowly Sixers squad, McDaniels averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game. Though he only shot 39.9 percent from the field, McDaniels established himself as one of the pleasant surprises of the 2014 NBA Draft class.

Unfortunately, putting up good numbers for the Sam Hinkie Sixers is hardly indicative of sustainable success, and in 47 games for the Rockets over the last year and a half, McDaniels has put up 2.1 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.7 minutes per game on atrocious .391/.250/.458 shooting splits.

To be fair, he’s still only 23 years old, and the 2016-17 season will only be his third in the NBA. But with the Rockets trying to assemble a contender, McDaniels is a massively non-essential piece who needs to prove himself before the remaining two years of his contract are dealt elsewhere.

Next: No. 14