The NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award is often overlooked by fans, but this is one of the most important awards for players and teams. Last season, Lauri Markkanen won the MIP award of the year. Heading into this season, there are several emerging talents who can maintain their form and become contenders for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. Through the first 10 days of the new season, there have been some surprising and unexpected candidates.
Shaedon Sharpe
The Portland Blazers Point Guard Shaedon Sharpe averaged 9.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game last season.This season, he has played five games, averaging 20.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals. Sharpe is leading the Blazers in scoring and is not only showing his dunking skills but enthusiasm on defense as well. He could be one of the contenders for the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award.
Devin Vassell
The 23-year-old Devin Vassell has consistently been the best scorer for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging a career-high 20.0 points in four games. Last season, his scoring increased from 12.3 points per game to 18.5 points per game, but he has only played 32 games. Vassell’s impact is not just on offense, he is proving to be Spurs’ one of the best defenders as well.
Cam Thomas
Thomas made such a good start with the Brooklyn Nets in the first three games. He scored 36, 30 and 33 points, respectively, in those games. Although he could score just 13 points in his last game against the Miami Heat, Thomas is definitely a good point collector. Consistency and work on the defensive end are the main reasons he didn’t get the breakout that many thought he would. But still, going from 10.6 points per game to 28.0 points per game is a surprising and amazing improvement.
Grant Williams
Grant Williams is signed to the Dallas Mavericks right now and with the addition of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, his scoring has increased from 8.1 ppg to 15.5 ppg. He’s hitting 54.3% of his shots during games. The Mavericks wanted Williams for his defense, experience and toughness. Now the way he is playing, he could become the MIP of the year.
Tyrese Maxey
The Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Maxey is averaging 30.3 PPG this season, which is 10 points better than last season. He has been nearly unstoppable with his shotmaking. The 22-year-old is completing 50% of his field goals, including an astonishing 56.0% from deep. Now that Harden has been traded, Maxey is guaranteed to partner Nick Nurse on offense.
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