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Tip-off for the NBA season is just one night away! This post will continue our NBA odds series as we hand out a prediction and pick for the NBA Most Improved Player.
With the season just one night away, there is plenty of excitment surrounding a plethora of players. There are new rookies, players coming back from injury, and veterans looking to capture a ring. This post will focus on the Most Improved Player award, and it is an underrated award if you ask me. These players make huge impacts for their team, and they are very fun to watch.
Last season, the NBA Most Improved Player was won by Lauri Markkanen. He made averaged 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He also shot 49.9 percent from the field, and almost 40 percent from three as he earned his first All-Star appearance. He was the first player in NBA history to record 200 made threes, and 100 dunks. Markannen beat out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges for the award.
Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player Odds
Mikal Bridges: +1000
Tyrese Maxey: +1100
Jordan Poole: +1200
Cade Cunningham: +1500
Anfernee Simons: +1700
Scottie Barnes: +1900
Austin Reeves: +1900
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Why Mikal Bridges Will Win The NBA Most Improved Player
Bridges was a finalist for the award last season, and he will be again this year. Bridges spent his early years in Phoenix before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. In 27 games with the Nets, Bridges really showed out. He averaged 26.1 points per gam to go along with 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. That type of production is very tough to keep up for 82 games, but to do it in 27 games is very impressive. Bridges is going to be a big part of the team, and if he produces like that, he will walk away with this award.
Why Tyrese Maxey Will Win The NBA Most Improved Player
Maxey is entering his fourth season in the NBA, and all have been with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 20.3 points per game last season, and that was actually a career high for him. With that scoring, his rebounding and assists totals took a little bit of hit. However, Maxey is poised to make a bigger impact this season. He should be the starting point guard in Phildelphia, and one of their main scorers. James Harden is going to be absent for the time being, as well. For as long as he is absent, Maxey's workload will increase greatly. If the 76ers decide to trade Harden, Maxey will surely be a favorite for this award.
Why Jordan Poole Will Win The NBA Most Improved Player
Jordan Poole is playing his first season out of Golden State as he was traded to the Washington Wizards this off-season. Poole averaged 20.4 points per game last season, and he mainly came off the bench. There is a lot of upside for Poole this season, though. He will be the starting point guard in Washington, and he should be the leading scorer, as well. As a starter for the Warriors last season, Poole averaged 24.6 points, and 4.6 assists. If he can have that success as a start in Washington, he will quickly make the Wizards a playoff caliber team. He will also earn himself a Most Improved Player award.
Why Cade Cunningham Will Win The Most Improved Player
Cunningham has incredible potential, but his health has been an issue. He played in 64 games his rookie season, and just 12 games last year. However, his stats have been great. In his games combined, Cunningham has averaged 17.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, and 1.2 steals. If Cunningham is healthy this season, he is going to be a force on the Pistons. Cunningham's health is going to be the main focus this season, though. If he is healthy, expect a big year out of him, and even a Most Improved Player award.
Final 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player Prediction & Pick
This is one of the hardest awards to bet on. It is unpredictable, and truly is up for grabs. The four players outlined in this post are my four favorites. Bridges, Poole, Cunningham, and Maxey are all very solid players. When it comes to picking a winner, I feel the most confident in Jordan Poole. He has big game experience, and he was an asset on the Warriors last season. I am going to take Jordan Poole to win this award.
Final 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player Prediction & Pick: Jordan Poole (+1200)
