RADIO
Drafting rookies is always a risk, especially in the “one and done” era that we have with college players now. Some adapt quickly to the pro game, while some still are still maturing physically and mentally. There's always some surprise breakout rookies (Donovan Mitchell) that dial it in from the start, but it's never a perfect science.
Many will spend their rookie campaigns on the bench, the luckier ones with a spot in the regular rotation. Often times, the opportunities to really shine start in their sophomore NBA year.
With that said, let's take look at a few second year players that are set to have breakout seasons.
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Fantasy Basketball Second Year Breakouts
Zach Collins - PF/C, Portland Trail Blazers
With backup Center Ed Davis' free agency departure to the Nets, Collins will play a bigger role in the Blazers' second unit. He has great defensive instincts and will be a good source of rebounds and blocks. He also has three-point range, and should get the opportunity to stretch the defense in head coach Terry Stotts spread out offense. Stotts has a lot of confidence in Collins, and could eventually grant him a starting role in place of the inconsistent Jusuf Nurkic. He should be targeted near the end of most draft formats.
Justin Jackson - SF, Sacramento Kings.
It's all about opportunity, and Jackson will get his as the projected starting small forward for the Kings. He finished the 2017 season on an upward trend, averaging 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game after becoming a starter in January. He's kept it going in the preseason, with his latest effort of 18 points, three assists, and two rebounds in just 23 minutes in Sacramento's 132-100 preseason win over Maccabi Haifa on Monday. He also should be picked towards the end of most draft formats, and higher for those needing points.
John Collins - PF, Atlanta Hawks.
Collins is slated to start for the rebuilding Hawks, and he should see plenty of opportunity to show off his athleticism. He had a solid rookie campaign, averaging 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24 minutes per game played. He also displayed excellent efficiency in his rookie year, with a .576 overall field goal percentage. He has been polishing his three-point shot over the summer, and will add that to his arsenal as well. He's a great late round pick in fantasy drafts.
Jarrett Allen - C, Brooklyn Nets
Allen showed good progress in the second half of last season, finishing with 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks while averaging 20 minutes per game. Like Justin Jackson, he became a starter in January and he put up his best numbers in February, with 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game. He had an excellent preseason game on Monday against the Pistons, logging 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in a 110-108 overtime win. He played 33 minutes and finished 7-for-12 from the field. He does need to develop a three-point shot, but he should be a good source for points and rebounds. Target him in the middle rounds of the draft; he's 46th in our staff's rankings.
Overall, these players are still young, Allen and Zach Collins are just 20 while John Collins is barely 21 and Jackson is 23. However, they all have shown the maturity in their rookie years to warrant consideration as breakout options this season. These players have shown they have the ability to perform at the NBA level, and some will benefit from increased opportunity due to their team's commitment to a youth movement.
