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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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Oct 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Utah Jazz won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Rudy Gobert

The Utah Jazz are poised to make the leap from perennial lottery team to legitimate playoff squad in 2016-17, so we could see breakout seasons throughout their starting five. But since Rudy Gobert didn’t quite make the leap as we predicted in 2015-16, perhaps 2016-17 will be his year.

Gobert didn’t have a bad season last year by any means. The French Rejection averaged 9.1 points, a team-leading 11.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game on 55.9 percent shooting, more than doing his part despite missing 21 games due to injury.

Give him a full season and a chance to expand his offensive game a little bit, and not only will Gobert enjoy a true breakout season, but he may emerge as a frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year Award since he’ll be the anchor for one of the NBA’s most stifling defenses.

With more shooters and scorers like George Hill and Joe Johnson joining the mix, plus the returns of Alec Burks and Dante Exum, plus another year of internal growth for Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood, the Jazz have plenty of weapons on offense.

But if Gobert can just manage to reach double digits in the scoring column, put up big rebounding and shot-blocking numbers, and anchor an elite defense, this could be the season this 24-year-old Frenchman establishes himself as an elite two-way center.