Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: 5 candidates for the 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year award

By Morgan Dunn

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Anthony Morrow #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on November 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Anthony Morrow #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on November 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 24: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 24: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have officially plunged into tank mode with the offseason departures of Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard, leaving this as Schroder’s team. Expect his numbers to see a spike, especially in the scoring department, but his efficiency is likely to fall off the map.

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Schroder doesn’t strike me as a player that is ready for the responsibility that will be thrust upon him this season, but some people may buy into his fool’s gold totals come season’s end.

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets: Murray received some Rookie of the Year hype before the 2016-17 campaign began, but the hype died down quickly when the Kentucky product averaged just six points per game on 35 percent shooting in January.

On the season, Murray would average less than 22 minutes per game, a number that should increase dramatically this season. However, a backcourt crowded with other young players could limit his ceiling.

D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets: Russell was traded from the Lakers to the Nets in the offseason, and he suddenly finds himself as the most talented player on his team. That should mean all the opportunity the former Buckeye could ever ask for this season, as well as a sky-high usage rate.

The Nets need Russell to succeed, so expect him to get a rather long leash. This could result in some impressive numbers on the surface, but his shot selection will likely lead him down a path of inefficiency for at least one more year.

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