Predicting one breakout candidate for every team in the NBA heading into the 2019-20 season
With the 2019-20 NBA regular season officially tipping off this week, there are many teams and fans trafficking in hope. And whether said hope is well placed or just a set up that will nonetheless result in disappointment is not for me to decide.
In fact, I will probably add fire to your specific hope flames with this article, where I will predict one breakout candidate for every team heading into the 2019-20 NBA season. We will begin with the team that many are already calling the “Baby Warriors,” the Atlanta Hawks.
Atlanta Hawks
Breakout candidate: Kevin Huerter
After an impressive rookie season, I expect Kevin Huerter to be even better during year two of his NBA career. For the most part last season, Huerter was overshadowed by the brilliant play of Trae Young, and rightfully so. However, Huerter concluded his rookie season by averaging 10 points per game on 42 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range.
He was quietly one of the better rookies that emerged last season. And if the Hawks are going to be the “Baby Hawks,” then Huerter is going to have to take another step in his progression this season.
Huerter is expected to play a big role for the team this season, and he could end up being a big reason why the Hawks emerge as a dark horse to sneak into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.