Leap year: 5 players poised for breakout season

Each year, there's a new crop of players ready to take the next step in their development.

Some breakout candidates recently battled injuries, while others just needed an opportunity to shine.

Here are five players poised to make a leap this upcoming season.

Kevin Porter, Houston Rockets

2020-21 stats:

Houston's low-risk acquisition of Porter couldn't have worked out any better as the USC product teased his potential throughout 26 appearances with the Rockets during the previous campaign. The 21-year-old was a passing and scoring threat when driving to the basket, effective in isolation sets, and thrived as a pick-and-roll ball-handler. Last April, he became the youngest player in NBA history to register at least 50 points and 10 assists in one game.

Porter can build on last season's numbers as the club's new starting point guard. His 29.4% assist percentage during the 2020-21 campaign ranked in the 91st percentile among combo guards, according to Cleaning the Glass. A healthy Christian Wood and high-scoring guard Jalen Green's addition should create more high-percentage looks and playmaking opportunities for Porter.

Robert Williams, Boston Celtics

2020-21 stats:

The Celtics made Williams their starting center after dealing Daniel Theis at last season's trade deadline. Boston doubled down on that commitment in the offseason by handing Williams a four-year, $54-million contract extension. It's a hefty amount for a player who struggled to stay healthy early in his career, but the big man has shown promise whenever he takes the floor.

Williams averaged 9.5 points, 8.3 boards, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 blocks in just 23.7 minutes per contest over 13 starts during the 2020-21 campaign. He also registered a team-record nine swats in the Celtics' playoff opener against the Brooklyn Nets. Williams adds another dimension to Boston's offense with his passing out of the post and superb finishing above the rim.

Expect Williams to make further progress in his first year as the full-time starter, especially if he avoids injuries.

Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs

2020-21 stats:

Johnson is set for an expanded role in the Spurs' offense with leading scorer DeMar DeRozan and veterans Rudy Gay and Patty Mills departing in the offseason. Despite starting 67 games a year ago, the third-year forward ranked seventh on the club in usage percentage.

The Kentucky product was most effective when penetrating the lane, using his 220-pound frame to plow through defenders en route to the basket. Johnson scored nearly half of his points off drives to the rim, but he converted on just 59.7% of his attempts last season in the restricted area.

Johnson's finishing ability and 3-point stroke need to improve before he takes that next step. There's reason to believe he'll refine those skills after spending the summer with Gregg Popovich and Team USA.

"Playing with (Team USA) made him understand that everybody's got athletic ability that's in the NBA, but it's kind of like between the ears," the Spurs bench boss recently told reporters of Johnson's Olympic experience. "It's decision-making. It's understanding what your skills are. Understanding what your limitations are. Who am I playing with? All those sorts of questions he had to get answered during the summer.

"There's no formula that says, 'Now, you're a great player.' It takes work, and it takes understanding the game. And that's what he was able to do more of this summer."

Gary Trent, Toronto Raptors

2020-21 stats:

Trent earned a three-year, $51.8-million contract this past offseason after a strong 2020-21 campaign split between the Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers. He capitalized on a regular starting gig, recording just under 18 points per contest across a career-high 38 appearances in the first five. The 6-foot-5 wing also drained 40.3% of his catch-and-shoot triples, shot 35.5% on pull-up threes, and posted 3.1 points per game coming off screens, which trailed only Stephen Curry, Bradley Beal, and Terrence Ross.

Injuries to Pascal Siakam and Chris Boucher combined with losing Kyle Lowry will make Trent a focal point of the Raptors' offense early on. It's not an entirely unfamiliar role as he previously experienced some success shouldering the load, including a personal-best 44-point performance last season in the absence of Siakam, Lowry, and starting guard Fred VanVleet.

Jaren Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies

2020-21 stats:

Jackson missed most of the 2020-21 campaign due to a torn meniscus and struggled with his 3-point shot when he returned after drilling nearly 40% of his attempts from deep over the previous two seasons. Still, there were some positive takeaways from his limited body of work last season.

The 6-foot-11 center remained an elite rim-protector, used his ball-handling skills to attack opposing big men off the bounce, and flashed the ability to hold his own when switched onto guards along the perimeter. However, fouls continued to be a problem for Jackson. He'll need to show more discipline to fully impact the game at both ends.

Jackson will likely become a restricted free agent next summer if the Grizzlies don't offer him a maximum rookie extension before Oct. 18. It's safe to say the 22-year-old won't be short on motivation entering a contract year.