Going into an NBA season with championship expectations means a few things. It means fans will expect to see an MVP candidate, multiple all-stars, and a player to have a breakout season. The Golden State Warriors know they will have someone in the MVP conversation by the name of Stephen Curry. Getting Klay Thompson back doesn't guarantee the Dubs a second All-Star, but he might be back in All-Star form.

The big question is, who will be the player to have a breakout season for the Warriors? The roster is full of young prospects who could make this season their year.

It could be time for Andrew Wiggins to leap into stardom. As the number two option last season, he averaged 18.6 points on 47% shooting and 38% from deep. He also became the team's best perimeter defender, averaging 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.

Although Klay Thompson is coming back from injury, Wiggins still will have a massive role for the team. Wiggins averaging 20 points or more would make him a breakout player, but his style of play might not be aggressive enough to pull it off. He still is set up for a great year, but the breakout season will be another teammate.

Then there's Warriors guard Jordan Poole. A breakout season would stick him in Sixth Man of the Year talks. In his rookie season, he averaged 8.8 points while shooting 33% from the field. Last year he jumped up to 12.0 points on 43.2% shooting.

Article Continues Below
More Warriors News
Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) reacts after making a three point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at the Chase Center.
Warriors exercise team option on 40.8% 3-point breakout starJaren Kawada ·
LeBron James with the logos of every NBA team in the background.
Ranking 5 best LeBron James trade destinations after Rich Paul’s bombshell Lakers quotesBailey Bassett ·
warriors, warriors free agency, brook lopez, golden state warriors
1 sneaky good player golden state warriors must sign in 2025 NBA free agencyGarrett Kerman ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) reacts during the second half against the Indiana Pacers in game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
NBA rumors: Ty Jerome garnering interest from Warriors, according to Zach LoweZachary Weinberger ·
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones (2) dribbles against Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) during the second half at Smoothie King Center.
NBA rumors: Warriors linked to Herb Jones, Nickeil Alexander-WalkerTroy Finnegan ·
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) defends against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
Warriors’ Draymond Green shares clear opinion on Kevin Durant’s trade to RocketsRichard Pereira ·

Seeing another jump in points and efficiency could be very likely for Poole heading into his third season with the Warriors. With Thompson scheduled to miss games early in the season, it could land him in the starting lineup. He will get plenty of opportunities to shine and could turn into the guy.

Then there's James Wiseman, who is going into his second season with the Warriors. He had a tough rookie year but showed flashes of potential. He averaged 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks. With veterans showing him the rope, good things are in the future.

Young centers in the NBA could take a little longer to develop, but Wiseman's struggles mainly came from a lack of time on the court. Wiseman's hunger to be great will drive him to success, and that's why this season, he will be the player to break out for the Warriors.

It doesn't mean he will turn into an All-Star overnight, but he can take a massive jump in how he affects games for the Warriors, especially on the defensive end. His experience should improve his timing, which will allow him to get more blocks and alter shots. If the team is at full strength, Wiseman will have the chance to focus more on averaging near a double-double. A goal that would greatly help the Dubs win games.

Only time will tell the true story. One thing that's for sure is somebody in a Warriors uniform will have a breakout season, especially if they want to make a run in the postseason.