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The 2023-24 NBA season is upon us with just two weeks before the opening tip-off.
That also means that the fantasy basketball season has started, and a bunch of leagues have began drafting their roster. Some like to wait out the preseason to find out which players will likely get rotation minutes.
A breakout player is someone who has never been a great fantasy player for a season. The prediction for the breakout player is that a top 75 or even top-50 will exceed expectations and his average draft position or ADP.
So, what's the difference between a breakout player and a sleeper? Breakout players are usually young guys waiting for an opportunity to get minutes and perform, while sleepers are established guys who exceed expectations to start the season.
Point guards who are breakout candidates in 2023-24 NBA Fantasy Basketball
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was last year's breakout superstar, turning into an All-NBA player overnight. SGA was an absolute fantasy monster last season, averaging 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
On that note, let's take a look at five point guards who could have the best season of their career this campaign.
#1 Cade Cunningham
Cunningham was on his way to a breakout campaign last season, but a leg injury limited him to just 12 games.
Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons initially didn't want to undergo surgery to repair a left tibial stress fracture. He underwent the procedure a month later, though, and was ruled out for the rest of the season.
He was averaging 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 34.1 minutes when the injury happened. The Pistons will give him the reins to become a superstar, so fantasy managers should take a look at drafting him in the late second round or in the third round.
#2 Scoot Henderson
Henderson's fantasy value increased when the Portland Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks before training camp.
Henderson, who was the No. 3 pick in this year's NBA draft, now has the keys to the Blazers franchise and will look to be the new superstar for Portland.
Drafting Henderson has some risks like low field goal percentage, high turnovers and lack of big-man stats. However, he could provide points, assists and steals that are hard to find in the later rounds.
#3 Coby White
White is entering his fifth season in the NBA and has already been a relevant fantasy option during his sophomore year. He regressed in his third and four seasons but will be given another chance this season at point guard.
With Lonzo Ball out for the 2023-24 season, the Bulls are likely giving White the chance to be their starting point guard. Ayo Dosunmu could also get some minutes but was given the opportunity to be the starter last season and underwhelmed.
#4 Bones Hyland
Hyland is in the same mold as Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford, who are two of the greatest sixth men in NBA history. Hyland can score in bunches and would be a good source of points in the waiver wire.
The problem with Hyland is his defense, though, which affects his total minutes played. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old point guard has the opportunity to cement himself as the sixth man and get the right minutes to be a must-roster player this season.
#5 Keyonte George
George was one of the three first-round picks for the Utah Jazz in the 2023 NBA draft.
He's listed as a shooting guard on Yahoo! but will likely get point guard eligibility as the season progresses. He won't be a starter for the Jazz at the start of the season, but could be at the end of the season.
George could be in the same predicament as Walker Kessler last season. Kessler didn't receive plenty of minutes to start last year, but ended up as the team's starting center to end the season. George has the potential to be the starting PG later this campaign.
