Who Will Win NBA's Most Improved Player In 2024?
The NBA's Most Improved Player award is notoriously the hardest award to predict. In recent years, the award has gone to a player going from borderline all-star to All-NBA level player. The only MIP not to be named an All-Star or All-NBA player in the last decade is CJ McCollum, one of the best players never to make an All-Star game (yet). This season, many teams look different, and many players will get many more opportunities. The following three players are early picks to take the award.
Immanuel Quickley
Immanuel Quickley was traded halfway through last season from New York to Toronto, after finishing second in 6MOTY voting in 2022-23. Going from a contender to one of the worst teams was an unfortunate transition, but Quickley prospered with the Raptors, averaging 18.6 points and 6.8 assists in 38 games. Going into next season, Quickley looks to be the number one scoring option on this team, and it's hard to imagine he won't flourish.
Toronto being a play-in team is certainly possible, especially if Scottie Barnes can continue to develop his All-Star potential. If that happens, and Quickley can get his PPG up around 24, he'll be a strong candidate to take home Most Improved Player.
There was also a nice jump in IQ's playmaking in Toronto, averaging 4.3 more assists than he did with the Knicks last season. While much of this has to do with him having the ball in his hands more, he only averaged 1.8 turnovers with the Raptors. He averaged the second-least number of turnovers of anyone who averaged more than 4.8 assists last season, behind Chris Paul. These are very encouraging numbers, and Raptors fans will hope he can continue that consistency.
Paolo Banchero
The Orlando Magic are primed to be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference next season. The addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and another off-season of training for the young core, will be a blessing for coach Jamahl Mosley.
Paolo Banchero is the face of this franchise, and after a strong first two seasons in Orlando, he looks to leap into All-NBA considerations this season. Similar to what Ja Morant did when he won the MIP award in 2022.
After averaging 22.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 5.4 APG last season, he would need to average some superstar numbers to win the award next season. He is certainly capable of this, though he'd likely need to be around the 28, 7, and 7 mark to be in contention, as well as his team being better than last season.
A very underrated part of Paolo's game is his passing, he has turned into a real Point Forward, which has resulted in comparisons to LeBron James as far as playstyle goes. Due to the fact Orlando doesn't have a 'true' Point Guard in their starting lineup, Banchero bears the majority of the playmaking weight. This is especially true down the stretch of games, where he often brings the ball up the court.
Josh Giddey
The Australian-born 21-year-old has not had an ideal start to his NBA Career. After being drafted 6th overall by OKC in 2021, he had an All-Rookie level season, then backed it up with 16.6/7.9/6.2 in 76 games the following season. in 2023-24, Giddey was unfortunately in the middle of some serious off-court accusations, which undoubtedly messed with his production. During the playoffs, he was benched and only played 12.6 minutes per game in the second round. The writing was on the wall for Giddey, and he was subsequently traded to the Chicago Bulls this off-season.
Giddey has shown that he can be a quality playmaker and inside scorer in this league. He needs to improve his 3-point shooting, as well as his defense, if he wants to be a starter quality player on a contending team. Joining the Bulls, he has the chance to be one of the top options again, and it will be seen how much better of a player he can be when he's a primary ball handler.
While he may not win the award, Giddey has a fresh start in Chicago, and Bulls fans will be hoping he can be a positive +/- player when on the court, and potentially form a nice backcourt duo with Coby White.
Read More NBA News From Stadium Rant Here: NBA News
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS:
Order your favorite whiskey or spirit for the big game right to your doorstep and use code STADIUMRANT10 for a 10% discount at Caskers
Use code STADIUMRANT20 for a 20% discount at Bulletproof Coffee, SwingJuice and Performix.
If you love to shotgun beers, use code STADIUMRANT10 at Wild Man Drinking Company.
MORE FROM STADIUM RANT:
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!