NBA Power Rankings 2: Jordan Poole leads breakout candidates

The Toronto Raptors were unwilling participants in the NBA Lottery last season, a proud team without a literal home (COVID restrictions forced them to play home games in Tampa, Florida) that saw their season crumble into a disaster. They maximized that disaster season by tanking at the end of the season to earn the fourth overall pick, which they used on Scottie Barnes.

He somewhat creates their young core by himself. Players like Gary Trent Jr., Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa are all 22 or older already, which means they still have room to grow but aren’t burgeoning with a mountain of upside. Do the Raptors lean into their youth and try to add another lottery piece, or do they fight to get back into the playoff bracket? Their roster could go either way and perhaps it’s a tale of two seasons if they push to win early on and then pivot again to maximize their draft pick.

Breakout Player: OG Anunoby. The former Indiana Hoosiers star has grown steadily since entering the league, becoming one of the absolute best forward defenders in the entire NBA. Offensively he has also added to his game, averaging 15.9 points per game last season. Even more impressively he has hit at least 39 percent of his 3-pointers each of the past two seasons.

If Anunoby increases his volume and adds some amount of on-ball creation, he could skyrocket over 20 points per game. With Pascal Siakam on the sideline to start the season, Anunoby will get the chance to prove he is capable of taking that next step forward. 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and elite defense? That’s a special player.