Lauri Markkanen has officially been named the NBA's most improved player for the 2022-23 season.
Lauri Markkanen
2021-22 Stats: 14.8 Points, 5.7 Rebounds, 1.3 Assists, 44.5 FG%, 35.8 3-Point%
2022-23 Stats: 25.6 Points, 8.6 Rebounds, 1.9 Assists, 49.9 FG%, 39.1 3-Point%
Lauri Markkanen is the first player in Jazz franchise history to win the most improved player award. He has been in the NBA since 2017 and I would say he definitely deserved to win the award this season. Compared to last season he has improved a huge amount, scoring more points, rebounds, and assists, while also having improved all his shooting percentages.
After Utah surprisingly traded away 3x All-Star Donovan Mitchell last season, Markkanen has stepped up and was deservingly a first-time All-star this season.
Other Most Improved Player Award Candidates:
Jalen Brunson - New York Knicks
2021-22 Stats: 16.3 Points, 3.9 Rebounds, 4.8 Assists, 50.2 FG%, 37.3 3-Point%
2022-23 Stats: 24.0 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, 6.2 Assists, 49.1 FG%, 41.6 3-Point%
Jalen Brunson was amazing for the Knicks this season, playing a huge part in the team getting back into the playoffs, with a much-improved record. This season Brunson improved his points per game, assists per game, and 3-point percentage.
In all of his previous seasons combined Brunson had a total of three 30+ point games, and this season alone he has 17.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder
2021-22 stats: 24.5 Points, 5.0 Rebounds, 5.9 Assists, 45.3 FG%, 30.0 3-Point%
2022-23 stats: 31.5 Points, 4.8 Rebounds, 5.4 Assists, 51.0 FG%, 34.6 3-Point%,
Shai was been a big help to the Thunder this season, helping them to win 15 more games than last season, and back into a play-in tournament spot. Compared to last season, he improved his points per game and shooting percentages. He was also named an all-star for the first time this season