NBA: Predicting the most likely breakout candidate for all 30 teams

Denver Nuggets

Breakout candidate: Christian Braun

If the Denver Nuggets are going to be as overwhelming as they were last season in the Western Conference, they’re going to need to find a replacement for Bruce Brown. The good news for the Nuggets is that they have a solid internal candidate in Christian Braun. The rookie wing flashed at several different points in the playoffs this past season for the Nuggets and the expectation is that he’s going to demand a bigger role this season for the Nuggets. Especially with Brown signing with the Indiana Pacers in free agency.

Heading into the start of the season, Braun is likely going to be the backup shooting guard behind Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. If he does have a breakout season, as some believe he can, there’s a chance that Braun will emerge as the lead sixth man for the Nuggets.

Maybe that’s a bit unrealistic to expect from a second-year wing, but that’s the quality of player that he showed he could be at certain points last season. He may not get there and may need another season to truly find his footing in the league, but the threat is there for him to emerge as a real difference-maker for the Nuggets this season.