Toronto Raptors: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2018-19

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 9: Some of the 2nd unit, from left, Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23), Toronto Raptors forward CJ Miles (0), Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) and Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) line up for the anthem. Toronto Raptors vs Houston Rockets in 1st half action of NBA regular season play at Air Canada Centre. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images /

The Toronto Raptors are looking to break through as a team. In order to do so, they’ll need to benefit from breakout seasons from these three candidates.

Plenty of players in recent Toronto Raptors history have benefited from breakout seasons — just ask Kyle Lowry or the Raptor formerly known as DeMar DeRozan.

Now, the team is looking to break out as a whole, escaping the narrative of playoff struggles and clawing their way to a deserved NBA Finals trip.

To get to that point, some new suspects will have to emerge from the pack.

Everyone in Toronto will expect big seasons from Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas, and Serge Ibaka: they’re proven commodities. Kawhi Leonard is new to town, but as long as he’s healthy, he’ll be an MVP candidate once more.

It’s the under-the-radar gems poised to break out and enter the next highest tier of player in the NBA ecosystem.

Here are three breakout performances ready to take hold of Toronto this season.

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