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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 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) looks to take the shot during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Bradley Beal

Our No. 1 candidate for a breakout season on last year’s list, Bradley Beal had yet another season derailed by injury problems in 2015-16. Beal missed 27 games due to injury, derailing the Washington Wizards‘ playoff hopes and their outside chance at landing Kevin Durant in free agency.

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At only 23 years old, Beal has only reached the 70-game threshold once through his first four seasons in the league. He’s missed 81 total games in that span, or, roughly one-fourth of his entire NBA career.

However, we’ve seen enough promise from “Playoff Bradley Beal” to know he’s capable of elevating his game when he’s 100 percent healthy; he just needs the opportunity to stay on the court and put it all together over the course of a full 82-game season.

Last year, Beal averaged a career-high 17.4 points per game and shot 38.7 percent from three-point range. But after putting up 23.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game during Washington’s 2015 playoff run, Beal’s injury-riddled 2015-16 season was a major letdown.

In 2016-17, Beal will be fighting to prove that he can not only stay on the court, but also that he can live up to his massive five-year, $128 million contract extension. If he can just stay healthy, he’s a safe bet to finally enjoy the breakout season Wizards fans have been waiting for.