Robert Covington poised for a breakout season

At last season's start, Robert Covington was largely unknown across the league's landscape. By mid season, he had turned some heads and was a participant in the festivities at All-Star weekend. This season, the man known as Bobby Buckets has an opportunity to really make a name for himself. With a contract that pays him exactly a million dollars at a time when players with similar skill sets are inking multi-million dollar deals, Covington could prove to be the steal of the season.   

Heading into his third season, Covington has the advantage of stability for the first time. Knowing he has a starting spot secured is a far cry from how his season began last year when he was waived by the Rockets in late October and faced the prospect of another D-League stint. The confidence that comes with having a spot in the starting five locked down, along with his growing familiarity with the Sixers system, should work in Ro-Co's favor in his second season with the Sixers. 

Jahlil Okafor's post presence will also be a big benefit to Covington. Okafor will draw defenders and in turn create open opportunists for Covington and other Sixers shooters like Nik Stauskas and Isaiah Canaan. Covington attempted over six three's per game last season without a reliable post presence to play off of. That number, along with his two makes from distance per game, should increase with a talented offensive post player like Okafor in tow. Similarly, Okafor will appreciate having a reliable outlet like Covington on the perimeter to kick it out to. 

Covington showed growth over the course of last season. While his outside shooting was obviously his standout skill, he worked on improving other areas of his offensive game throughout the season and focused on taking the ball to the basket. He made more free throws in April than in any other individual month of the season, demonstrating an increased willingness to take it to the rim late in the season. Covington's game should benefit from continued offensive development this season. 

He will have ample opportunity - he averaged nearly 28 minutes per game last year and will see similar, if not more action this season - and a scheme complimentary to his skill set. While his team is set to struggle, again, Robert Covington is poised for a breakout season.