NBA GMs place Jayson Tatum among young players ready for breakout season

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NBA general managers expect a bounce-back season from Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.

NBA.com released the results of its annual GM survey, and one question was centered around breakout candidates for the upcoming 2019-20 campaign. 

Tatum was tied with Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. for the second-most votes behind Sacramento Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox. 

Here are the full results:

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2019-20?

1. De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento -- 19%

2. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis -- 11%

    Jayson Tatum, Boston -- 11%

4. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans -- 7%

    Jamal Murray, Denver -- 7%

Also receiving votes: Bam Adebayo, Miami; Lonzo Ball, New Orleans; Devin Booker, Phoenix; Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago; Zach Collins, Portland; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City; LeBron James, L.A. Lakers; Dejounte Murray, San Antonio; Julius Randle, New York; Tomas Satoransky, Chicago; Pascal Siakam, Toronto; Zion Williamson, New Orleans

Tatum increased his scoring average from 13.9 points per game as a rookie to 15.7 last season, but his field goal and 3-point percentages both declined in his sophomore campaign. Without the presence of superstar point guard Kyrie Irving, who left in the summer to join the Brooklyn Nets in free agency, Tatum should assume a larger share of the scoring burden in the Celtics offense this season.

He has already noted his intention to shoot more 3-pointers and attack the basket with a higher frequency, which is encouraging for Boston after the 21-year-old settled for too many mid-range shots in 2018-19. If Tatum does take better shots and gets to the free throw line more consistently, scoring 20-plus points per game isn't out of the question.

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Tatum has a lot to prove after a somewhat disappointing second season, and how he responds in his third year will likely have a huge impact on the Celtics' chances of making a deep playoff run.

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