Houston Rockets: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2018-19

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Brandon Knight

A 6’3” score-first combo guard, Brandon Knight was having a fairly productive career over his first six seasons, averaging 15.2 points and 4.3 assists per game.

Following an ACL tear and the subsequent recovery that spanned all of last season, Knight seems to have fallen off the NBA map, but with a team like the Rockets, he has a chance to get back onto the league’s radar as a productive talent on a title-contending team.

With the trio of Paul, Harden and Eric Gordon taking up virtually all of the ball-handling duties, there won’t be much for Knight to do in that department. However, given the success those three have had while in Houston playing in an iso-heavy spaced out offensive system, Knight should thrive if and when the ball gets put in his hands.

Related Story. 10 NBA players looking to shed injury-prone label in 2018-19. light

One also has to consider the injury history of CP3, who’s missed 45 games combined over the last two seasons and isn’t getting any younger at 32 years old. Should he miss more time this season — a likely occurrence — Knight would be afforded some of his minutes and also some of his point guard responsibilities.

Slated to miss time following surgery to his left knee, per The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, Knight will likely spend most of this season working his way back into shape following over a year away from the game. But if he returns fully healthy with enough time to get back into the flow of the NBA, he could do some real damage in limited minutes off the bench.