NBA Today: 5 players who can have a breakout season in 2019-20

Every year we witness a select group of players who elevate their game to the next level and electrify their respective fanbases. It is particularly surprising when a budding talent exhibits flashes of great promise en route to having a great season. There are not many occurrences that catapult a franchise more effectively than an explosive breakout year of an individual talent.

Their sizeable growth coupled with a rejuvenated sense of maturity is what turns them from good role players into great franchise cornerstones. It makes perfect sense to project a year of elite basketball quality from some players keeping in mind their recent surge on the NBA landscape.

Let's take a look at five players who are most likely to have a breakout year during the upcoming 2019-20 campaign.

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#5 Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert has a quick first step along with an arsenal of nifty head fakes, deft touch and more

LeVert was the the arguably the biggest what-if from the recently-concluded NBA season. Before going down with a gruesome leg injury against Minnesota on November 12, the 24-year-old was the Nets' best player in their first 13 games of the year.

He effectively would have followed the path that was taken up later by Russell, who then emerged as an All-star and led Brooklyn into the season. Nevertheless, LeVert returned to stand as the team's best player in the five-game first-round exit against Philly in the playoffs. He averaged 21 points per game on 46% shooting from deep (50% overall) against Embiid and Co. and left an indelible mark.

His playoff numbers were a huge leap up from his regular season shooting averages, and now that he is not expected to have any long-term side effects from his dislocated ankle, LeVert is one tough candidate to watch out for.

#4 Malcolm Brogdon

Brogdon recently signed a four-year, $85 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers.

Ever since Malcolm was crowned Rookie of the Year back in 2017, his numbers have been progressively increasing every year, culminating into 15.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, on over 50% shooting from the floor this past season.

More often than not, his understated approach to the game results in his steady rise being overlooked amidst the flashy 57-win Bucks team. However, Brogdon might be the nearest to a superstar leap than any other player in his age group.

Unfortunately, Milwaukee had to sever ties with Brogdon over this off-season as the offer sheet was too expensive for the franchise to match. There is no doubt that the franchise is bound to miss Brogdon's defensive skills, his playmaking ability and his underrated shooting in the coming year, although they managed to fill his shooting void via the Kyle Korver signing.

#3 Dejounte Murray

DeJounte's resurgence promises an improved jumper and extended range.

The 22-year-old was slated to be amongst the top contenders to put together a breakout campaign last year before he tore his ACL and ended up sitting out the entire season.

It'd be ludicrous to belittle the youngster's work ethic, which stands as one of the prominent reasons why he shot an exceptional 9-of-23 on three-point attempts in his rookie season, and still continues to expand his skills.

With a Defensive Box Plus/Minus of 3.4 and a Defensive Net Rating of 98 in 2018, a soaring leap for Dejounte is definitely on the cards if he keeps working on his offensive game. Coupled with Derrick White (who went through his own surge last year), the Spurs might be looking at one of the best defensive backcourts in the league.

Moreover, Murray and DeRozan are probably the most athletic guard duo Pop has ever had to coach throughout his entire NBA career. If he can shoot the ball consistently and space the floor for the Spurs on a nightly basis, the franchise can surely make it as a top-six team in the uber-competitive Western Conference.

#2 Marvin Bagley III

Marvin Bagley III was the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

While injuries did derail his rookie year quite a few times, Marvin's healthy self managed to grind through for 62 regular season games, during which he averaged almost 15 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Playing over 25 minutes per contest, the 20-year-old shot in upwards of 50% from the field in just his first year in the league.

"He's (Marvin) a special talent, man," Buddy Hield had said about him. "Sometime you don't even run a play for him. He just gets our misses and puts it back in. That's what comes with a special talent. He's just going to keep growing and getting better."

The teenager's court movement and activity is mostly outlined with rim running, cutting, above-the-rim finishing and glass-cleaning, all of which are paramount prerequisites for an underrated All-Star caliber player. His upcoming season promises of a 20+ ppg exhibition which might officially announce his arrival on the NBA map.

#1 Jamal Murray

The Nuggets lost a heartbreaking Game 7 in a second-round exit to the Blazers.

This might come as a surprise to many, but only because Murray might have broken out already this past season. He averaged 18.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game during the regular season and made some crunch heart-wrenching plays down the stretch during the playoffs with his team's season on the line.

The Canadian's smooth jumpshot is highly capable of manifesting him into a 50+ percentage volume shooter with the ability to space the floor, and that's where his ceiling gets even higher.

"I think everybody knows what I'm capable of doing," Murray had said. "We have a lot of talent, the deepest team in the league. Best team in the league from one through 15. There's really no complaining from my end, I don't have time to show it [my talent] all the time."

If the Nuggets are able to give a clearer path for Murray in the upcoming season, he could very well see himself as one of the league's elite scoring guards.