Houston Rockets
Breakout candidate: Jalen Green
From a raw talent perspective, the Houston Rockets enter the 2023-24 NBA season as one of the more intriguing teams in the league. Even after adding Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in free agency, if the Rockets are going to take a tangible step forward, they’re going to need Jalen Green to make the leap to stardom. And if that’s going to happen, it’s going to be this season. Green is entering his third year in the league and this could finally be the season where it all comes together for him.
Green is coming two solid first two seasons in the league but has struggled with his offensive efficiency. If another leap is coming for Green, where it’s going to be most evident is efficiency. That’s what we must look for when it comes to a breakout year for Green. The good news for the Rockets is that he’s set up to succeed this season.
Green doesn’t have to be the only offensive creator on the team with VanVleet now and perhaps taking the pressure off of him is exactly what he needs to find his footing as a star player in the league.