The Toronto Raptors have a handful of young players that have plenty of potential and just waiting to break out during their careers.
The Toronto Raptors have a great core of players that involve some veterans, some young players, and some rookies as well.
They are the 2019 NBA champions and after a tough 2020 playoff exit to the Boston Celtics, they are just waiting to get back at it to make another run to a championship and take another step in their careers.
We’ve seen some players grow their games in more than one way this past season for the Raptors, but some are going to take that next step and break out even further, maybe even as soon as next season.
3. Terence Davis – 23 years old – SG
2019-20 stats – 72 GP – 7.5 PPG – 3.3 RPG – 1.6 APG – .456 FG% – .388 3P% – .864 FT%
At my number three spot to start off this list of three Toronto Raptors that could have a breakout year next season, I have the rookie that a lot of people have enjoyed watching this past season, Terence Davis. Davis came off a great rookie season in my eyes after being an undrafted player and then signed and looked at as a potential future piece to this Raptors team in the eyes of Masai Ujiri.
After playing in 72 games this past season and averaging 16.8 minutes off the bench, Davis has shown basketball fans and especially Toronto Raptors fans that he can most definitely have a bright future in this league.
Obviously, I don’t think anyone is expecting him to become one of the best players in the league within five years, but he can definitely become a great role player or even a player that averages between 15-20 PPG in the next couple of years.
Being an undrafted player you definitely have that urge to prove everyone wrong that you should’ve been drafted into the NBA and that you’re not just some average basketball player out of college, just ask fellow teammate Fred VanVleet. VanVleet who is also an undrafted player has emerged himself as one of the more important players on this Raptors team along with one of the better point guards in the NBA too, so I don’t see why there isn’t a reason Davis cant do the same thing.
2. OG Anunoby – 23 years old – SF/PF
2019-20 stats – 69 GP – 10.6 PPG – 5.3 RPG – 1.6 APG – .505 FG% – .390 3P% – .706 FT%
At my number two spot on this list, I have someone who has grown in every aspect of the game ever since his rookie season and is just ready to take that next big leap in his career, OG Anunoby. OG is such an interesting player, he isn’t someone who shows a lot of emotion when playing the game of basketball, and if you don’t believe me just watch his recent buzzer-beater game-winner against Boston in the second round of the NBA playoffs this past postseason.
Despite him not showing a lot of emotion on the court it kind of reminds me of Kawhi Leonard how he is so monotoned yet that doesn’t affect how he plays basketball. Anunoby who isn’t someone who will score the lights out on any given night is more of a defensive-minded player who is slowly growing into a player who can also contribute on the offensive side of the ball at a decent rate.
After watching him improve on the offensive and defensive side throughout his three years in the league so far, it is safe to say a breakout year is just around the corner for him, and it may come as early as next season after witnessing his playoff run that was cut short this postseason.
He wasn’t scoring the lights out, but he was arguably one of the most consistent Raptors during the playoffs and his great defensive play was just as good. These were his stats throughout the teams 11 games in the playoffs…
11 GP – 10.5 PPG – 6.9 RPG – 1.2 APG – .455 FG% – .415 3P% – .643 FT%
Looking at that stat line it obviously isn’t anything too eye-opening, however, he did improve his rebounding and three-point shooting in the playoffs compared to the regular season and it was more of what he was able to do on the defensive side as well.
1. Fred VanVleet – 26 years old – PG/SG
2019-20 stats – 54 GP – 17.6 PPG – 3.8 RPG – 6.6 APG – .413 FG% – .390 3P% – .848 FT%
At my number one and final spot on this list of three Toronto Raptors that could have a breakout year next season, I have Fred VanVleet. Fred has grown into one of the better point guards in the NBA if you look at all the starting and bench point guards, his offensive abilities just get better every year and his defensive game has also grown a ton and is a key part of his success and the teams as well.
Four years into the NBA (three full seasons) VanVleet has improved in almost every statistical category as a player, improving his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, free throw percentage, and minutes per game from the previous season.
Coming off a season where he averaged 17.6 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 6.6 APG, and great playoff runs within the last two seasons I think it’s safe to say he’s more than capable of becoming a player who can easily average 20 PPG and north of 8 APG in no time.
He is also getting better every season on the defensive side too, from averaging 0.9 SPG for the last two seasons he improved to 1.9 SPG this past season which found him tied for third in the NBA, as well as leading the NBA in deflections with averaging 4.2 per game.
Yes, VanVleet did already take a big step in production from the 2018-19 season to this past season in 2019-20 but I strongly believe he has another gear and can definitely take it one step further and become an even better player than he already is, and I know others will probably feel the same way. Although this will only happen if he re-signs with the Toronto Raptors which I do think he will, it’s just a matter of time.
Who do you think could have a breakout year next season on the Toronto Raptors? Is it anyone of Terence Davis, OG Anunoby, and or Fred VanVleet, or is it someone different?