NBA Future Odds: Most Improved Player Award

The NBA Most Improved Player award may have the most blurred lines in terms of what qualifies a player to win the award. For example, some voters are against voting on a second- or third-year player who was drafted with the expectation of making a jump to become a star. The most recent example of that is Ja Morant winning the award last season.

One of the best examples of this award and what it means is Pascal Siakam. He won the award after turning his G League career into a multi-All-Star career.

However, this story isn’t about defining what qualifies a player for the award. So, here are the five players with the best odds to win the NBA Most Improved Player Award. 

Markkanen holds the top spot as the favorite, and he’s a prime example of what the award is about. He was a perennial role player/starter with flashes of a very solid scorer. After a strong showing this off-season, he showed up to Utah with the Jazz having shown a jump in production.

His points per game jumped 10.1 points per game since last season. In doing so, he’s seen his three-point percentage go from 35.8 percent to 43.3 percent. All around, Markkanen has had a much-improved season in a bigger role than years past.

Statistically, Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t taken a jump quite to the level of Markkanen. However, his jump was just as unexpected and went from a fringe All-Star candidate to a legitimate All-NBA player. 

He’s jumped 6.4 points per game, which has him now at 30.9 points per game on improved efficiency. He was the leader in odds for a good portion of this season. However, Markkanen continues to get better and show more, making Gilgeous-Alexander’s case less compelling. 

Brunson’s case is like Gilgeous-Alexander’s, but on a smaller scale. For him, it was a change of scenery and more of a carved role for him. Brunson has had a bump in minutes per game, too. 

Now with the Knicks, Brunson is up to 22.5 points per game from his 16.5 points per game last season. He’s playmaking more, too, as he averages 6.2 assists per game, up from his 4.8 assists per game. He’s taken a jump each season, but this is easily his best yet, as he’s putting up All-Star numbers. 

Closely trailing Brunson for third place, Haliburton has had an incredibly impressive third year. He’s up to 20.2 points per game and 10.2 assists per game. Like Brunson, Haliburton is now playing at an All-Star level. 

What makes Haliburton’s case less compelling, though, is that this is only his third season, and he has shown flashes of having this potential. For Markkanen, he fell short of his expected potential, but now is showing out and having a resurgence. Haliburton is still having a solid jump of a season, though. 

Sengun has gotten a very solid jump in minutes per game, role and usage. He’s playing 7.3 minutes per game more this season than he did last season – which was also his rookie season. Being a second-year guy makes Sengun’s case worse, considering his statistical leap isn’t as impressive as any other guy on this list.

On the season, Sengun is averaging 15.5 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game – all improved from last season. His overall efficiency in doing so has improved, too.