New Opportunity, New Star? Ten NBA Players Who Could Breakout

By Isaac Harris

Jul 21, 2016

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) celebrates after making a three-point basket during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 104-93. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

New opportunities for certain players bring more responsibilities, but could it bring more stars to the NBA?

Every year players retire, get traded, or leave in free agency. The landscape of the NBA is changed and many teams across the league have a different roster makeup.

As a result of the roster movements, there is always opportunities that open up for players across the league that have been waiting in the shadows or growing into the player they could become.

A prime example was when James Harden was traded out of the shadows of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant into a new main role in Houston. Harden took advantage of his new opportunity and broke out into one of the biggest stars in the league.

Now there probably isn’t any James Harden’s on this list, but there is a good amount of players with opportunities on new teams or increased minutes that could be primed for breakout seasons.

Here are my top 10 young players who could have a breakout season.

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