When Knicks All-Star Julius Randle won the 2020/21 Most Improved Player award in May, several intriguing names trailed him in voting: Detroit’s Jerami Grant (second place), Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. (third place) and Houston’s Christian Wood (fourth place) being among them.
Randle deserved the award, however, as the 26-year-old averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and six assists per game, shooting 46% from the field and 41% from deep. The season before, he held per-game averages of 19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists, shooting 46% from the floor and 28% from deep.
The competition was tough — Grant, Porter and Wood all put forth respectable campaigns — but that tends to be the norm with the league’s awards. Predicting the Most Improved Player before the season starts is an extremely difficult task, however.
This year figures to have much of the same. Players such as Porter (with Jamal Murray injured), Zion Williamson (featured with a new Pelicans lineup) or Deandre Ayton (coming off his first playoff experience) could be good places to start.
What do you think? Will one of the players who received votes last year reign supreme, or will a surprise name win the award? Feel free to voice your predictions in the comments section below!
Cam Reddish
Normally I’d vote for him myself as a Cam truther, but I’m not sure if he’s going to get enough minutes early on in the season to have a real shot—I’m thinking low to mid 20s initially given the depth the Hawks have. He’ll probably need to finish really strong to make up for that fact.
Regardless, I think he’s going to surprise a lot of folks this year.
Darius Garland Robert Williams Larry Nance Mo Bamba are few I see.
Killian Hayes
Kuzma get his minutes this season.
Relatively recent high to mid lottery picks in new places is usually the first place I look. The first name that comes to mind is Lonzo Ball. He has a team now that can be called his. We will have to see if he can handle it, but he is getting an opportunity.
The next place I look would be lottery picks from 3 years ago that might just now be getting a chance to start. With that one, I am going to go with De’Andre Hunter of the Hawks.
Finally, I look for under the radar vets that have moved to likely bad teams. There I am going to cheat a bit and go with Gary Trent Jr of the Raptors. He technically went there last trade deadline, but I think his first full season there can give him opportunity that he has never had before.
Gary Trent Jr, Jaren Jackson Jr, Saqqid Bey, Mitchell Robinson and Lu Dort
Trent will put up some numbers on the Raptors he can get hot.
JJJ been out for a year and when he played didn’t have amazing numbers with no Jonas he could get a bigger role.
Bey being another great shooter could be Cade Cunningham’s go to guy on the Pistons.
Robinson will be playing with a really good point guard in Kemba Walker he could have an amazing season
Dort will get minutes cause of his defence but offensively he may get more touches as Shai looks for help
D.Hunter from the Hawks is my #1 for Most Improved next season..
#2 M.Bamba finally being healthy, and he’s under a new coach, could possibly finally break out for the Magic.
#3 K.Nunn could very well break out in a big way under the bright lights in LA, and the same goes for Malik Monk.
#4 Jaren Jackson Jr. due to his health issues people have forgotten how great of a player and talent he truly is, he could come back better than ever and couple with Morant to put the Grizz back on the map earning him Most Improved..
Those are my best options for right now. I have a few dark horses, but I’m not as sure about them just yet.
The seven players with the best odds right now are: SGA, Zion, Michael Porter, Kevin Porter, LaVine, Sexton, and Christian Wood. A lot of Rockets mentioned with the best chances for both the Most Improved Player and Rookie of the Year in 2022.
KPJ is a good chance also but it’ll be interesting to see how much touches he gets after Wall, Green and Wood
this is a long shot. but if he stays healthy and actually can put up the kind if numbers he did in 18mpg last year in closer to 25/30 a night I think that Robert Williams could be in the discussion. Maybe not high enough to actually win it because he won’t really be a HUGE scorer and they do have Horford at center as well. BUT he could be in the conversation at least.
Mikal Bridges
Saddiq Bey (I really think Det. Got a steal there)
Larry Nance Jr
DeAndre Hunter
I gotta go with (in no order): KPJ, full season as a big part of Rockets rotation; JJJ, if healthy, can contribute big way for a upcoming Grizzlies; Lu Dort, if he can become a offense threat as 3&D; and Hunter, if he mantains his course
Lonzo ball.
Just 1 thing, Hunter who every second person is suggesting. Last year he averaged 15-5-2 taking 11 shots per game. Considering Trae gets 25+, Collins gets a bunch, Gallo and Bogi get some, then you have Capela, Reddish, Hueter and Lou Will. I can’t see him getting 23+ points per game which is what it would take for him to be in the conversation.
Usually if you look at MIP winners/contenders it’s someone who is either the first or second scoring option on a team. Usually having just joined that team or been a young player on a steady progression who got given the opportunity to lead.
Zion averaged 27 PPG last year…that’s a TERRIBLE place to start.
Nance does not even have to improve much to win MIP. His situation is improved; He’s just what POR needs.
Randle didn’t look so improved when he wet the bed in the playoffs!
One of the young Spurs guys (Murray, White, K. Johnson) will step up with DeRozan gone.
That is not a bad idea at all. If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Johnson. He has had the look of a player ready to break out the past couple of years.
Hamidou Dialo
I 100% agree with you Dirkules
Isaiah Stewart
Myles Turner.