Predicting One Breakout Player from Each NBA Team: Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers: Ricky Council IV
Ricky Council IV enters his second season in the NBA, looking to carve out a bigger role. The 76ers added a major veteran presence this offseason, specifically in the backcourt. There’s a void to be filled for athletic wings, which is exactly what Council brings to the table. He improved his three-point shooting greatly since entering the NBA, shooting 37.5% on a short sample size. Council also excels finishing at the rim and draws fouls at the fourth-highest rate in the NBA last season, only behind Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Boston Celtics: Sam Houser
Now, don’t expect a Most Improved Player Award or anything close to that for Sam Houser. The Celtics brought back their top 10 spots on the roster from last year’s championship team, so there’s little room for a breakout candidate. Houser has a real chance to make a splash, with Kristaps Porzingis starting the year hurt. Houser could be an important rotation piece. Shooting an incredible 42.4% from three-point range in his career, Houser could get a chance to be a double-digit point scorer if given the proper minutes.
New York Knicks: Precious Achiuwa
With the Knicks thin in big men, Precious Achiuwa could play a pivotal role for the Knicks. Especially with Mitchell Robinson starting on the IR and Isaiah Hartenstein leaving in free agency, Achiuwa figures to draw big-time minutes, which he showed he can perform with. In the month of February last season, with both Robinson and Hartenstein hurt for most of the month, Achiuwa logged 38.7 minutes per game, putting up 12.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and over a block and a steal per game. Knicks need a center to step up to do the dirty work since becoming a smaller squad, and Achiuwa is the man for the assignment.
Brooklyn Nets: Noah Clowney
This Nets team is thin, projected as the lowest win total before the season. They dished away Mikal Bridges and look to rebuild, giving ample opportunity this season for a guy like Noah Clowney to step into a role. As one of the first options at forward off the bench, Clowney brings length and athleticism to the table. In four starts at the end of last season, he averaged 10.6 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and two blocks per game. Clowney was drafted as a high-upside prospect, being one of the youngest in the 2023 draft class, so the Nets will look to see that patience working out in year two.
Toronto Raptors: Immanuel Quickley
The Raptors have a much newer starting lineup than they did on opening day last year. With a reset roster, Immanuel Quickley has a much bigger load to carry for Toronto. We saw flashes of what he could be towards the end of last season, and now he will be their best option to contribute to the team’s scoring with his shot-making ability and playmaking. He currently sits in the top ten for the Most Improved Player Award and could compete for it with a monster season in the role as starting point guard.
