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Jorge Cantu - @CantuNBA
Most Improved Player of the Year: Jakob Poeltl
Via. USA Today
This is a league with many players capable of turning their fortunes around from one season to another with the help of their surrounding situation. The player who, in my opinion, has the best chance of doing so this year is Jakob Poeltl. He played well enough last season with the Raptors. But after getting dealt to San Antonio in the Kawhi Leonard trade, a change of scenery will help him flourish.
For starters, the Spurs are thin on rotation big men. Pau Gasol, the current starting center, is 38 years old and will not get any better; LaMarcus Aldridge is the starting power forward and has previously voiced his displeasure about playing center; both Davis Bertans and Dante Cunningham are small-ball power forwards. Poeltl is the only true center on the team and could earn a starting spot as early as this season thanks to Gasol’s regression.
We have seen Gregg Popovich make monsters out of a handful of big men before and Poeltl is poised to take the next step on the defensive end. His increased role, a better coaching staff, and a defensive-minded system will help him become the most improved player in 2018-19.
Elijah Branch - @ebranchwashere
Most Improved Player of the Year: Jamal Murray
Via. USA Today
I think the Nuggets got better, and Murray will have his moments to create shots for his teammates and himself this season. Murray averaged 16.7 points a night for the Nuggets last season, and also shot just under 38% from three. Murray averaged 9.9 points per game his rookie year, making an almost seven point jump in scoring from year one to year two. If Murray can produce that kind of increase in scoring this season, he will definitely be in the conversation for the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
Justin Irvin
Most Improved Player of the Year: Jabari Parker
Via. NBA.com
With only one full season under his belt going into his fifth year, Jabari Parker is due for a breakout. Heartbreaking injuries have marred his promising young career, but I'm betting he stays healthy in 2018-2019 and puts together a great year. Parker was averaging 20/6/3 in 2016-2017 before suffering his second ACL tear. I think he can easily get back to those numbers (and beyond) if healthy. The Bulls now have some legit scoring threats which will create a lot of space and opportunities for Parker. He will quickly become the go-to-guy in Chicago and we'll finally get to see that #2 overall talent for a full season. I'm predicting him to be a fringe All-Star by mid-season.
Justin LeVine
Most Improved Player of the Year: D'Angelo Russell
Via. USA Today
It is clear based on previous winners of this award that the qualifications for Most Improved Player (MIP) are an increased role and a scoring average increase of about 6-8 points per game (PPG) from the previous year. Coming back strong from an injury can also catapult a player’s case for MIP. Former number 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell checks off all the boxes when it comes to what a player needs to win MIP: he started less than half of the Nets’ games last season (mostly due to injury), played in only 48 games, and will see an increased role as the primary scorer on a lowly Nets team. He also possesses the ability to increase his scoring to MIP-level numbers- +6 PPG from 2017-18 would occur if Russell averages 21.5 PPG this season. Coming off of a knee injury that kept him out of 34 games last season, D’Angelo Russell will have his best season yet as a pro and receive the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award this season.