Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
2017 MIP Giannis Antetokounmpo made the leap to stardom last season, we could very well see Porzingis do the same this year. Porzingis is one of the most unique players we’ve ever seen in the NBA, and the keys have officially been handed to him with the trade of Carmelo Anthony to OKC.
Porzingis looks ready to be the go-to offensive option, especially on a Knicks team that won’t be very good this season. With ball hogs like Anthony and Derrick Rose gone, getting Porzingis the ball early and often will finally be a priority at Madison Square Garden.
The Latvian big man still managed to post averages of 18 and seven last season (and don’t forget those two blocks per game), but one has to wonder what kind of numbers he’s going to put up as a primary offensive option. Sure, he’ll see more attention from opposing defenses, but this is a 7-foot-3 player than can stroke it from deep. How do you really guard that?
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It doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility that Porzingis ups his scoring to 25 points per game, which would almost surely lock up MIP honors. He’s my preseason pick for the award, but as a Knicks fan I make this prediction with nervous caution.