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NBA: 15 Candidates For Breakout Seasons In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Karl-Anthony Towns

Like Andrew Wiggins, perhaps Karl-Anthony Towns won’t be ready for that defining breakout season in the first year under Tom Thibodeau. To be fair, his Rookie of the Year campaign may have already been a breakout season of sorts, with the future MVP putting up 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game on 54.2 percent shooting.

But there’s no question the sky is the limit for this 20-year-old, and in his first season under Thibs, the rest of the league should be very worried that he’s about to find his wings.

Towns was already a two-way stud in his first NBA season; adding another year of internal growth and a defensive mastermind like Thibodeau is only going to make him that much more terrifying. This is a young team on the rise, and Towns is the centerpiece of their bright future.

KAT only shot 34.1 percent from three-point range, so that’s one area he can probably improve in his sophomore season. If he’s able to do so and bump up his numbers across the board, an Anthony Davis-like leap in Year 2 certainly isn’t out of the question.

The Minnesota Timberwolves might not meet everyone’s “dark horse playoff team” expectations, and Towns still might be a season away from truly arriving. But with as good as he is now, there’s a chance Towns is already prepared to make the leap to NBA stardom.