The NBA’s Most Improved Player award has an impressive list of winners since it was created ahead of the 1985/86 season. That’s been particularly true since ’12/13, with Paul George, Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler, CJ McCollum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo, Pascal Siakam, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Ja Morant and most recently Lauri Markkanen honored over that span.
Over the past couple decades, the award has favored rising young players — 17 of the past 23 winners had played fewer than five seasons. However, two of the past three winners — Randle and Markkanen — broke that mold, as Randle won following his seventh season, while Markkanen just completed his sixth.
Attempting to predict the future is often a fool’s errand, obviously, but I’ve always enjoyed the MIP award because it’s fun to see players exceed what people may have thought they were capable of, and unexpected breakout seasons are both entertaining and rewarding.
According to BetOnline.ag, the way-too-early list of favorites for the 2023/24 Most Improved Player award is as follows:
- Jordan Poole, Wizards (+700 odds)
- Mikal Bridges, Nets (+1000)
- Scottie Barnes, Raptors (+1000)
- Cade Cunningham, Pistons (+1600)
- Austin Reaves, Lakers (+1800)
- Shaedon Sharpe, Trail Blazers (+1800)
- Alperen Sengun, Rockets (+2000)
- Josh Giddey, Thunder (+2000)
- Paolo Banchero, Magic (+2000)
- Jabari Smith, Rockets (+2200)
Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley (+2500) and Thunder wing Jalen Williams (+2800) just missed out on the top 10.
Poole might seem like an odd choice to be the early favorite given his playoff struggles to end last season, but it makes some sense. There’s a good chance he’ll put up big offensive numbers for the Wizards after they traded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis, their two leading scorers in ’22/23; he often did the same when Stephen Curry was injured.
I wonder if the mini-breakout Bridges had with Brooklyn after the team acquired him at the February deadline might work against him to an extent for MIP in ’23/24. It’ll be hard to top his averages with the Nets from last season — 26.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG on .475/.376/.894 shooting in 27 games (34.2 MPG).
Barnes — the ’21/22 Rookie of the Year — would likely benefit individually if Toronto decides to trade Pascal Siakam, as their skill sets have a good deal of overlap. Sharpe will almost certainly have a bigger role next season if Portland eventually trades Damian Lillard as well.
Cunningham’s strong performance with the U.S. Select Team is worth noting after the former No. 1 overall pick missed the majority of last season with a shin injury. I’m not going to go over all the early betting favorites, but I do think it’s a solid list given we’re still two-plus months from the season starting and there are so many unknown variables in play.
That brings us to our question of the day: Who is your early pick for the 2023/24 Most Improved Player award? Head to the comments and let us know what you think.
Strange list. Feels like a lot of these guys have already had their “most improved” seasons (looking at Poole and Reaves) in particular, and Cade would be an awkward one given he would be more of a comeback player type. Bridges seems like a good shout, though I’d argue he’s already quite good, just hasn’t been in the best situation to show it until now. Hope he gets the recognition he deserves this season.
Shaeden Sharpe I think will be the eventual MIP Award winner.
I think he has just about the perfect set of circumstances where it should be very likely that he’ll at least finish in the top5 for the award.
His usage rate should see a big increase with Lillard gone, the game should also start slowing down for him now that he has a good bit of experience and time under his belt, and he will be a on team that’s going to need to get alot of production out of him, so he should see a sizable increase all-around from his counting stats.
I think he’s as good of a candidate as anyone. I think Jordan Poole coming off a down year could also have a direct path to the award, but idk if he has it in him to remain consistent enough to win it.
I’d also watch out for Josh Giddey, and I’m looking for a huge year from Cade Cunningham, although, I don’t really count him as being the “most improved” because he was just out due to an injury.
I also have Keegan Murray as another solid contender for the award, and someone that should get alot of attention if he can become a bit more consistent on a nightly basis and continue to grow his game taking it up another level.
Next, I’m going g to go with Marjon Beauchamp for the Bucks. I think he’ll see an increased workload this season, and I could see him as a scoring soarkplug off the bench, and making a strong case as a vote getter in the 6th man voting if everything goes right.
My dark horse sleeper candidate is none other than Ben Simmons..lol I’m j/k. I’ll go with one of Orlando’s point guards either Jalen Suggs or Cole Anthony, just because Orlando desperately needs something out of one of them, and I think they’ll have enough talent around them to put up some quality numbers…Besides, can Jalen Suggs really get any worse?!?
I love Sengun, and while I think he will definitely take his game up a level and show alot of improvement this season, I’m not so sure his stats might reflect it enough for him to get enough consideration.
I’m going with:
Shaeden Sharpe
Josh Giddey
Keegan Murray
Marjon Beauchamp
Darkhorse: Jalen Suggs/Cole Anthony
I also REALLY like Cameron Johnson in a main scoring role for the Nets, but idk if increasing his scoring per game by 6-7 points would be enough for him to win the award…If so, sign me up, but he might also split votes with his own teammate Mikal and his increased stats from his own increased usage%…
It’ll definitely be an intriguing race nontheless, and I cannot wait for the season to start…!!
Poole will not win this award. Sorry. A step back is more likely.
You don’t understand how weak the Wizard’s are. Poole might score 30 a game because they have no one else to take on the scoring load. That said it might be hard to win the award on a last place team.
Scoring a lot of points doesn’t make you “improved” though. Voters aren’t that stupid. Just from the list of recent winners you have all of 3 guys who won it with a new team (Lauri, Ingram, and Oladipo), and while all three produced more, yes, they also clearly imrpoved, ie had a higher shooting percentage to go along with more raw points.
I don’t think it’ll be as much of a problem as some think. Without Steph Curry on the floor, Poole averaged like 25 points a game the last two years on good efficiency. And it’s not like the Wizards lack a good PG to set him up in Tyus Jones. Poole just wasn’t a great fit in GSW; too ball dominant and not good enough at creating for others. As the clear #1 in WAS, he’ll do better on the mental side. And without the pressure of winning every game or filling a mold, he has more room to work on his game.
The bigger issue is the lack of screening, and that Wes Unseld Jr. isn’t that good of a coach. He has his plays and sticks to them, and he’s not great at adjustments. Maybe he’ll show something new this year, but I’m not betting on it.
Bridges or someone else
With a more structured offense around him led by VanVleet I could see Jabari Smith taking a leap, but he’s a second year player and is suppose to do that. Another strong bet is Tyrese Maxey if Harden gets traded.
I expect Evan Mobley to make a run at that award. Offensively he has only scratched the surface of his ability. A 20-10-5 season is possible though the 5 number may be hard to reach this year. Only because a team that starts 2 point guards may not run enough of the offense through him. I won’t say he will win it as Jordan Poole is likely to run the offense in DC. That said the Cavaliers will need to have a bad season for him not to make the top 5 for the award. Only an injury would keep the kid from the top 10.
Considering Markeneen averaged basically 10 more points per game, 3 more rebounds and an assist more per game while having career highs in efficiency, make that your bench mark for MIP.
Personally I don’t see Poole and Bridges going from good 20-4-4 type guys to 30-7-6 range guys. Poole took 16 shots per game, in one of the best offences as what the 3rd maybe 4th scoring option. Going to Washington will have plenty of opportunities and touches but being the first or second option on a much worse offence he ain’t going to get as good a looks. He might put up 22 shots per game but it won’t be efficient and more often than not will be on the losing side.
Personally I have 3 standouts..
1. Austin Reaves
Think he will surpass Dlo as the Lakers third scoring option like he did in the playoffs. Last season he only averaged 13-3-3 and in the playoffs played 16 games and put up 17-4.5-4.5 on only 12 shots. I think he might get 15 shots per game, playing next to Bron and AD he should put up around 22-5-5 roughly. If the lakers can make the playoffs aswell that an advantage over Pooles losing inefficient 28-5-3…
2. Obi Toppin
Think he has a great opportunity to be the Pacers starting 4 in a really good young offence. Last year he only averaged 7.5 and 3. With shooting around him, a fast paced offence, his all round skill set and previous track record when starting I see a lot of growth for him. In his 15 career starts he averages 21-6-3.. It wouldn’t be far fetched to see him average 16-8-3 or something in that range.
3. Ben Simmons
I know I will get a lot of hate for this take but Ben Simmons. He only averaged 7-7-5 last season, at his best he averaged around 17-9-7. Not that he will reach his best again but if he could add even an inefficient 3 like Russ (30%) Giannas (29%) that would help him hugely average more point per game (2 worth more than 3), while make this opponent guard up on him and thus create space inside for his proffered slashing game. According to all reports he seems really happy and is doing really well so hopefully he returns well. I could see him putting up a good 14-10-8 which would atleast have him in the conversation, especially considering his elite defence.
Looking at the odds I’d put a bit of money on Obi but Reaves would be a safer bet
Too many awards are of a positive nature. Some of my awards would be:
1. Coach who squanders talent the most
2. Tanker team of the year
3. Player who saw the biggest decline for that year
4. Worst haircut of any player
5. Worst jersey of current season
6. Player most likely to be thrown out of the league.
Bridges of the Hornets has a lot to improve on…. Either Bridges, Tyus Jones, or Cam Payne are my picks….Jovic from the Heat
Quentin Grimes for me – big, second-half spike in percentages last year after the all-star break suggests a breakout.
Traditional pick is Cade easy.
Non is a three way tie between Beauchamp, Eubanks and Reddish. Reddish has advantage.
As a suffering Bulls fan, I sincerely hope the MIP is Pat Williams! Bulls need him to take a big leap.