Top 5 Potential NBA MIP's for 2018-19

One of the most difficult individual awards to predict a winner for, in the NBA, is the MIP or Most Improved Player. The MVP is usually obvious. There is a select group of players who stay constantly competing for the MVP award every year.

The Most Improved Player can sometimes come out of nowhere. Victor Olapido won this award last year. After three years in Orlando and one with the OKC, Olapido broke out last season raising his scoring average nearly 8 points to 23 per game from 15. Olapido also improved his field goal efficiency by 5% at 47.7%. This season will be no different in trying to handicap who is deserving.

A few names stand out at this early stage of the season. As the season progresses, things may change. Caris LeVert, of the Brooklyn Nets, was given consideration but will not appear on this list as he has only played 14 games and is out indefinitely with a dislocated right foot.

However, he would have been a perfect fit for this list. He is averaging 18 points per game up 6 points from last season. He had improved his field goal percentage shooting at 47.5% and he has increased his minutes per at game 29.7 minutes per night. If LeVert makes it back to the Nets roster soon, he could find himself in the conversation for this award.

Other players considered were Domantas Sabonis who has increased his points per game at 14 and field goal percentage by 11 points to 62%. Tim Hardaway Jr. who is scoring 21 points per game up 3.5 points from last year, but, his overall field goal percentage is low at 39.5%. As of right now, the potential candidates this year for the Most Improved Player Award include JaVale MaGee, Josh Richardson, Zack Lavine, Julius Randle, and Pascal Siakam.

#5 JaVale McGee

McGee may seem like an odd choice as a candidate for this award. The starting center for the Los Angeles Lakers is averaging 11.8 points a game and 6.7 rebounds. McGee is also shooting a high 62.6% from the field in 23 minutes per game. McGee is also averaging 2.6 blocks per game as well.

At 31 years old, McGee was a member of the last two Golden State Warrior championship teams where he was a role player. He makes this potential list on the strength of the fact that for the past 6 seasons he has been relegated to the bench for Denver, Philadelphia, Dallas and even Golden State.

In those 6 seasons, McGee was averaging less than 20 minutes per game and as little as 9.5 in Golden State last season. However, McGee played a big role in Golden State’s championship series win over Cleveland, in June, and was rewarded as a free agent with a contract to play with the Los Angeles Lakers.

McGee's career seemed not only in decline but nearly over until recently. His scoring average is 7 points higher than last season in the 29 games he has played this year. It seemed just to include him in this category.

#4 Josh Richardson

Josh Richardson is a 25-year-old 6'6 shooting guard/small forward. He was drafted in the 2nd round 40th overall by the Miami Heat in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Heat extended the rookie contract of this 4th-year player in September of 2017, on a 4 year $42 million dollar deal. It seems it was money well spent.

Richardson has gotten better every single season. Richardson is long, boasting a 6'10 wingspan. He is averaging 18.6 points per game which is nearly a six point increase from last season. He is also averaging career highs in assists at 3.5 per game and rebounds at 3.8 per game. Richardson shoots 40.6% from the field and 38.8% from the three-point arc. Richardson is a good free throw shooter at 84%.

Richardson is also a good defender. He is great for a shooting guard at shot blocking. He averaged .9 blocks per game last season. He is averaging .5 right now this season. Erik Spoelstra, the Miami Heat's head coach seems pleased with Richardson's development.

"He's become a very disciplined, dynamic defender, one that can really take on multiple positions. But in a totally different way," Spoelstra said. "He will challenge Dwyane [Wade] in terms of a shot-blocking two-guard if he is fortunate enough to play that many years down the line.

The future is bright for Josh Richardson.

#3 Zack LaVine

LaVine is an extremely athletic shooting guard. However, the former Minnesota Timberwolves 2014 first round pick has lost time in his early NBA career to injury. He has lost parts of the last two seasons to injury playing in just 71 games between the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.

Currently, he is suffering from an ankle injury which is considered a minor inconvenience, but, he is day to day. This year he has already played in more games (28) than he did last year (24). LaVine has raised his game to another level. This year he is averaging more than 7 points more per game at 23.8 for the Chicago Bulls. This is the highest scoring average of his career.

His field goal average is up to 45% from just 38% last year and his rebounding and assist numbers are at career highs, as well. LaVine needs to stay healthy and if he can this will be a career year for him.

#2 Julius Randle

New Orleans Pelicans v Washington Wizards

A 6’9 power forward/center Randle was drafted back in 2014 7th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. This past summer Randle signed a two year $18 million dollar contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Randle has gotten better every year he has played in the NBA. That trend applies this year, as well. Randle averaged 16.1 points per game and 8 rebounds per game.

So far this year, Randle is averaging 19.3 points per game and his rebounding sits at 9.5 rebounds per game. On a Pelicans team that is better than the Lakers were last season, Randle is averaging slightly less than a double-double. Randle has also improved his three-point shooting by upping his average over 10% at 32.7% this season in 31 games.

Randle recorded a double-double in the Pelicans’ victory over the Heat scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He is currently listed as day to day due to a sprained ankle.

#1 Pascal Siakam

Siakam is probably the likely winner in this category. He was a late first round pick in 2016 by the Toronto Raptors. Siakam has risen in the depth charts on a good Toronto team and is starting this season. His meteoric improvement is likely why Raptors general manager Bobby Webster felt comfortable including Jacob Poeltl in the deal for Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard.

Siakam is a tireless runner, rebounds his position well and for a 6’9 power forward he is often leading the Raptors' break. Whether finishing himself coast to coast or distributing to open teammates for good shot opportunities, Siakam is a reliable ball handler.

The stats reinforce just how much Siakam has improved. His scoring average is nearly double what it was in his sophomore season at 14.4 points per game. He averages 6.2 rebounds a game and has a high 60.4% field goal average. Also impressive and a major improvement in Siakam’s game is his three-point shooting. He is averaging 36.7% from behind the arc which is a 15% increase from last year’s 22%.

Siakam is currently listed as day to day with a lower back strain but has played 31 games for the Raptors this season. While much of the Raptors success is assigned to Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, Danny Green and Jonas Valanciunas, Siakam has made himself an important piece to the puzzle for the Raptors’ championship aspirations.

The player that claims the Most Improved Player award this year will most likely surprise us all. The names mentioned on this list could change between now and June. In the meantime, its fun to watch from year to year which players will break through their own limitations or those placed upon them and reach a level of success previously unexpected.

Edited by Abhinav Munshi