Boston Celtics: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2019-20

1. Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown is approaching his first experience of free-agency and will have a point to prove following last years struggles in the playoffs. The stars have aligned to provide Brown with a legitimate chance to take the next step in his career, most likely by pushing for a spot on the East’s All-Star team.

Brown has his weaknesses, such as his poor left hand and ability to get lost on defensive switches. However, boasting all the physical tools to grow into a lock-down defender whilst showing flashes of becoming a respectable scorer from behind the arc, he is primed to be a good player for years to come.

Good players get contracts but great players get paid. Brown has already witnessed two players from his draft class fall under the latter. Ben Simmons and Jamal Murray signing 5-year max deals with their respective teams. Brown has not done enough during his time in Boston so far to command such a contract, but he still has this upcoming season to drive his value up further.

Last year, Brown averaged 13.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 72 games, (25 as a starter) hitting on 46.5 percent of his looks from the field, 34.4 percent from deep and 65.8 percent from the line.

While his points production was up by two points-per-game, the rest of his statistics remained level with his career averages. This isn’t what you want to see from a third-year player that is a potential building block for future success.

The roster from last year proved to be unable to settle on the common goal of the team. Entering the new season with more role players and fewer stars is a blessing and Brown as an individual. Not only will he have a larger role to play, but he will also know exactly what the role is, making him less inclined to defer the ball.

A stint with Team USA will also be good for Brown’s development. Playing under coach Gregg Popovich and assistant coach Steve Kerr he will be able to learn from other top tier coaches. Picking up new ideas and methods which he can work on against international level talent doesn’t seem like a bad way to spend the final few weeks of summer.

Brown needs to have addressed his left hand and defensive IQ this offseason, that is for sure. If he can increase his points production while improving his efficiency, then he will have a legitimate shot at a big contract offer next year, while pushing for his first All-Star appearance and winning his starting spot back for the Celtics.