NBA: 10 candidates for breakout seasons in 2018-19

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
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Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

4. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

It’s time for the eye-opening season people have been waiting on for two years now. Coming off a sophomore campaign in which he posted 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game on 51.1 percent shooting, Myles Turner took a definitive step backward last year, with his numbers dipping to 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game on 47.9 percent shooting.

Part of that was fewer minutes, part of that was the arrival of Domantas Sabonis and part of that was the revelation that was Victor Oladipo. Heading into 2018-19, it’s time for this fourth-year big to explode onto the scene and prove the Indiana Pacers‘ faith in him as a franchise cornerstone isn’t misplaced.

That may be difficult since he and Sabonis haven’t looked good on the court together, but Turner has the higher ceiling as an elite two-way player and potential unicorn. If he can improve his scoring and rebounding numbers while defending the rim and expanding on his 35.7 percent 3-point shooting, that long-awaited breakout year could be on the way.