The Toronto Raptors have very talented players on the team as we all know, however they do have some players that just broke out and can have another breakout year or they are just on the verge of breaking out.
The Toronto Raptors have had a player win the Most Improved Player award before in Pascal Siakam. He had a massive jump in production from the 2017-18 season to the 2018-19 season. By the end of next season, we could potentially see three Raptors’ players have a similar situation to Siakam after improving immensely from the season prior.
These three players are ready to take that next step in their career, as they have what it takes to take the next jump and help out this Raptors team contend for another championship.
3. Norman Powell – 27 years old – SG/SF
2019-20 stats – 52 GP – 16.0 PPG – 3.7 RPG – 1.8 APG – .495 FG% – .399 3P% – .843 FT%
Career stats – 307 GP – 8.6 PPG – 2.4 RPG – 1.3 APG – .457 FG% – .361 3P% – .818 FT%
At my number three spot, I have someone who in my opinion was snubbed of a Most Improved Player nomination this past season, Norman Powell. He was overlooked by a lot of people that are basketball fans and it’s a shame because he basically had a similar jump in production when Siakam won Most Improved Player in the 2018-19 season.
With Powell having a massive jump from the 2018-19 season to the 2019-20 season, I don’t know if he’ll have a massive jump again this coming season because he comes off the bench.
He went from averaging 8.6 PPG – 2.3 RPG – 1.5 APG and shooting splits of .483 FG% – .400 3P% – .827 FT% during the 2018-19 season to averaging 16.0 PPG – 3.7 RPG – 1.8 APG – and shooting splits of .495 FG% – .399 3P% – .843 FT% during the 2019-20 season and if that isn’t a big enough jump in production I don’t know what is.
I have him as a potential candidate for it this year mainly because he was snubbed of it last season, but I also don’t think he can take another major step in his development because he’s a player that mainly comes off the bench so I don’t know if he will be given a chunk of minutes to play and produce at an even higher rate than last season.
However if he does become a starter for at least half the season or even for the full season and receives more playing time compared to seasons prior, which I doubt, he definitely could average close to or a bit more than 20 PPG. His shooting splits are also getting better and better every year since he’s been in the league, so it’s safe to say he’s taking good shots and he’s not just shooting every time he gets the ball.
Although the next two players on this list have a better shot at the award compared to Powell, I’m almost certain they will both take a huge step in their development next season with increased minutes. (Stats from Basketball-Reference.com)