NBA: 5 players poised for a breakout season in 2018-19

SAN ANTONIO,TX - APRIL 22 : Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during a timeout against the Golden State Warriors In the second half of Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 22 , 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 20: Myles Turner #33 and Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers celebrate at the end of game three of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 20, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 92-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

Out of the five players in this article, Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner is the most proven commodity, but he’s yet to have that breakout year. Turner is one of the best defensive big men in the game, can play out on the perimeter, finish in the paint, deny shots with ease, and is an underrated passer.

At the same time, he’s never averaged over 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, despite opportunity presenting itself last season in the departures of Paul George and Jeff Teague.

Turner is one of the best centers in the association, but it’s clear that he could be even better. He’s a leader, athletic, a superb defender, and the backbone of the Pacers. He just needs to become a more productive scorer.

Last season, the Pacers were one game away from being the first team to knock LeBron James out of the Eastern Conference Playoffs since the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals. But with an improved Turner, the underdog Pacers could begin to establish themselves as an Eastern Conference powerhouse.

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Turner is still just 22, in the final year of his rookie deal, and a part of a hungry Pacers team; he’s due for a big year.

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