Fantasy Basketball Breakout Candidates - Western Conference Edition | Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandin Podziemski, Rui Hachimura, Zach Edey and More

Yesterday, I wrote a story on breakout fantasy basketball players. 

After covering the Eastern Conference teams, we’ll tackle the Western Conference today.

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Denver Nuggets

Christian Braun is the no-brainer pick from the Nuggets. He’s expected to step into the starting lineup, or at least play more minutes with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope no longer around, and that should help him fill up the stat sheet and become a decent fantasy option surrounded by so much talent.

Minnesota Timberwolves

I’ll go with Naz Reid from Minnesota. He’s blocked by Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, but should still get plenty of minutes behind those two. I’m expecting career-best numbers across the board for Reid, and he might not need a lot more playing time to accomplish that.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Chet Holmgren seems like the best choice from OKC. He should only get better as he gets more NBA seasoning, and even though many people are expecting him to improve, I think it will be by leaps and bounds, making him a true breakout player.

Portland Trail Blazers

I’m going with Scoot Henderson from Portland. He showed some nice things as a rookie and should take a step forward on a team lacking a ton of playmakers.

Utah Jazz

I like Keyonte George to break out in Utah. I thought he was a bit underrated as a fantasy asset last year, and I think he will become a household name by the end of the season.

Golden State Warriors

Brandin Podziemski edges Jonathan Kuminga for the top breakout player in Golden State. Without Klay Thompson around, I like Podz to step into a big-time role in his second season. He stuffed the stat sheet as a rookie, and could be a great all-around fantasy player if he indeed plays a bigger role this season.

Los Angeles Clippers

There’s not many choices on the Clippers’ roster, even after the Kawhi Leonard injury news. I’ll go with Ivica Zubac. He’ll be a better fantasy performer as Leonard misses time and be a solid double-double threat otherwise.

Los Angeles Lakers

I’m going with Rui Hachimura from the Lakers. He did some nice things when he was healthy last season, and I think his role expands and helps him become a better fantasy option this season.

Phoenix Suns

I’ll say Tyus Jones is the Suns’ breakout player. He is going to start at point for a team that already has Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in the starting lineup - that’s a good recipe for fantasy success, and I think Jones is a great fantasy option this season.

Sacramento Kings

There’s a few players I could choose from Sacramento, but I’ll go with Keegan Murray. I picked him because his 3-point percentage dropped over 5% last season, and if he can even improve by 2.5%, he’ll put up a bunch more fantasy points.

Dallas Mavericks

Daniel Gafford is my pick from Dallas. He played really well in his stint with Dallas last season, and with an offseason to be worked more into the mix, I see Gafford taking off this season.

Houston Rockets

I got Jabari Smith Jr. from the Rockets. He improved a bit from his rookie to his sophomore season, but I think this year is when he takes a big jump.

Memphis Grizzlies

I’m taking Zach Edey from Memphis. I wasn’t a believer after he graduated college, but he looked good in the preseason, so I’m changing course on my fantasy outlook for him. I think Edey is a daily fantasy starter right from game one.

New Orleans Pelicans

Herbert Jones is my breakout player from New Orleans. He’s listed at 6-foot-8, but likely going to start at center. The only reason you try something like that is to get a guy more playing time, and I think all that extra time will make Jones a good fantasy asset.

San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama is the easy choice from the Spurs. He was fantastic as a rookie, but I think he absolutely erupts in year two. He was already a top-end fantasy player last season, but I think he challenges Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic for the top overall spot this coming season. What’s really wild is he’s still years away from his peak.