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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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Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) during the third quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Dennis Schroder

With Jeff Teague on the move to the Indiana Pacers via trade, the fate of the Atlanta Hawks‘ offense rests entirely in Dennis Schroder‘s young but capable hands. At age 23, the German floor general is ready to show the world why head coach Mike Budenholzer often played Schroder over Teague in crunch-time situations, especially during the playoffs.

In a backup role last season, Schroder averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 assists in just 20.3 minutes per game. In the six games he started, he put up 13.7 points and 5.5 assists per game.

There are definitely areas he still needs to work on. He’s awfully turnover-prone (2.3 per game last year), he’s inconsistent in big-game situations (as we saw in the postseason when he couldn’t seem to buy a layup), and he desperately needs to refine his shooting after posting .421/.322/.791 shooting splits.

However, Schroder is still young and has shown plenty of signs of potential, such as his 27-point, six-assist performance in the first game of Atlanta’s playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This kid has a competitive fire in him, he’s got a chip on his shoulder and he’s been waiting for his opportunity to take over Teague’s job in the starting lineup. In 2016-17, he’ll get his chance to do so, and though he’ll probably take his licks, he should make tons of progress as well.