National Basketball Association

NBA Predictions: Who Will Be the League Most Improved Player?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles the ball around Memphis Grizzlies guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA is full of young players trying to make their name and become elite. Today, The Smoking Cuban staff makes their prediction on who will be the Most Improved Player in the league.

The NBA hosts a draft in which the best college players in the nation are selected by the 30 different franchises. This process brings new, young, raw talent to the league each and every year that needs time to grow and become better players.

For that reason, the NBA recognizes the Most Improved Player in the league each year. Often times it is the 2nd and 3rd year players who finally find their place in the league and thrive. This is why the younger players are the basis for most predictions.

Here are the staff predictions for this year’s Most Improved Player of the NBA.

Oct 1, 2016; Bossier City, LA, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) dribbles on New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) during a game at CenturyLink Center. New Orleans won 116-102. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Harrison Barnes

The Dallas Mavericks max dollar man is a popular pick as he finally gets his chance to spread his wings a little bit. Here is what a few of our staff members had to say for Harrison Barnes.

“I feel biased saying this, and maybe I’m jinxing it, but he’s in the perfect position to grab this award if his play comes along and the Mavs make the playoffs. He’ll need to top his preseason performance, but that’s not very hard. I could also see Steven Adams or D’Angelo Russell getting this award.”

– Shawn James

“The NBA’s Most Improved Player will be Harrison Barnes. A change of scenery and a change of head coaches will do wonders for Barnes. Finally being able to shoulder the load considerably more, he has one of the best coaches of all time leading the way. The Mavs may have stolen something this offseason.”

– Evan Siegel

Apr 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Dennis Schroder

The top two choices for the staff have been in the league for more than a year or two but rather hiding in the shadows of other great NBA players. This time, Dennis Schroder.

“Dennis Schroder has patiently put up good numbers and solid play in a back-up role, and now his time has come. He has been given the reigns to the Hawks offense with a good cast around him, and is ready to excel. Schroder will be the most improved player of 2017.”

– Sam Casey

“With Teague’s departure, the door is open for the young German point guard. While he is still rough around the edges, Schroder’s stats will go up for sure, even without any improvement to his game, simply because he will play more minutes. If the work on his three-point sho pays off, Schroder is a serious MIP candidate.”

– Marvin J. Hanke

D’Angelo Russell

The Los Angeles Lakers are a popular choice for a place that someone is going to be ready to take over and the overwhelming belief is that it all starts with Russell. Here are a few predictions.

“The home of this year’s Most Improved Player will be in Los Angeles. With one of the greatest players in NBA history finally retired, it’s clear that the Lakers are missing their superstar and leader. That’s why I believe guard D’Angelo Russell will make a big leap this season and fill the role as the face of the Lakers franchise. Russell’s numbers last season were above average, but I believe with the distraction of Kobe Bryant gone and the franchise ready to finally move forward with the new crop of talent, Russell will have the reigns of the offense and will perform at a much higher level.”

– Eron Ramadanov

“This one is always fun to predict but I’m going with D’Angelo Russell. Kobe is gone and the keys to the kingdom are all his. Los Angeles knows they won’t be competing for the playoffs this season, therefore Russell will be unleashed.

I believe the Summer League and preseason was just the beginning as he takes the next step in his career this season. We could see multiple 30 point games, and possibly some 40 pointers, as Russell shows he is one of the bright young stars in the league.”

– Isaac Harris

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) greets Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the game at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Victor Oladipo

“This guy has found himself in a great spot. As bad as some people make it seem, playing next to Russell Westbrook is almost impossible to be a bad thing. The up and down play style will benefit Oladipo, and Westbrook will feed him the rock enough to let him be a force. Not to mention, Victor Oladipo came into the draft a few years back as one of the more explosive guys to come into the league in a while. He hasn’t lived up to the hype yet, but maybe a move to another team will be just what he needs to reach his potential.”

– Austin Denius

Karl-Anthony Towns

“This one seems obvious to me, but Karl-Anthony Towns is due to breakout for real this year. That sounds crazy considering his level of play last season, but I believe we have barely brushed the surface with this guy. A big jump for him and the Timberwolves is likely this season and none of us should be surprised when we see Towns’ name in the NBA MVP conversation, either. He is capable of running this league.”

– Kohl Rast

Kristaps Porzingis

“No doubt it will be Kristaps Porzingis. Last year, he was just getting his feet wet and averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. This year he will surpass that as his experience and chemistry will make him comfortable from game one. Porzingis will be so much improved that he will be on the list for MVP.”

– Ricky Castro

There are plenty of options in the league to make the big jump from young and raw to All-Star. These are just the ones that really stuck out as candidates to our staff.