5 biggest NBA storylines going into the 2021-22 season

NBA storylines: 2. Who is the next break-out star?

Each season there is a breakout star, typically making their first All-Star game or getting damn close.

In the 2018-19 season it was Pascal Siakam, in the 2019-20 season it was either Brandon Ingram or Bam Adebayo depending on if you respect defense or not (yes this is shade, Bam was better), and in the 2020-21 season, it was the New York Knickerbocker’s own Julius Randle.

The breakout star discussion is typically based on a young player who showed flashes in the previous season and now will have a full season to capitalize on the momentum they made last season.

As Raptors Twitter fiend Esfandiar Baraheni pointed out on The Score, eight of the last nine Most Improved Player recipients were in their third or fourth years in the league.

With that context, one name comes to mind most on who may take that next step.

Michael Porter Jr.

It’s obvious to see how Michael Porter Jr. could take the next leap into stardom this coming season. Last season Porter averaged 19 points per game in only his second (playing) season on 62/79/44 splits.

In the playoffs, his efficiency dipped and he only averaged 17.4 points per game in his 10 playoff games — but it’s easy to see where his progression is leading him.

Going into his third playing season (red-shirted his first NBA season with a back injury) Porter has a very good situation to blossom. Without Jamal Murray for likely the entire season, Porter has a chance to make up the difference in the offense and will certainly get more touches and opportunities playing next to the passing savant and reigning MVP Nikola Jokić.

There are plenty of names to mention, OG Anunoby particularly comes to mind with the Raptors going through a small rebuilding and with their All-Star talent Pascal Siakam set to miss the start of the season.

Another name is Darius Garland. Hoops Habit’s own Tony Pesta wrote that Garland looks close to becoming an All-Star type player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"“It feels as if Garland is only a step away from breaking out into an All-Star caliber player.”"

Quick mention to Tyler Herro, he could have a bounce-back year with the addition of Lowry. There’s a heap of names, but if you asked me on someone taking that next step into stardom, I’d say Michael Porter Jr.

Speaking of stars…