NBA: 5 way-too-early Most Improved Player candidates for 2021

5. Thomas Bryant, Washington Wizards

Draft: 2017

Round: 2

Pick: 42

The case for Thomas Bryant, it’s simple, his numbers have gone up every single season as he’s gotten more opportunity. Although his rebounds and assists are similar throughout his career, his points per game have increased dramatically each year. In his four-year career, he’s averaged 1.5 points per game, 10.5 points per game, 13.2 points per game, and so far this season 17.9 points per game. Not bad for a team with two ball-dominant players in DC, Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal.

Stats are very critical in analyzing a player’s improvement, however, for Bryant, the energy he brings will not show up on the stat sheet. He’s got great energy and motor, which you’d think is a given, but ask Philly fans if Joel Embiid has a good motor and you’ll understand why that’s so important. If Embiid had Bryant’s motor then the NBA would have no chance and Joel would be able to ride to the game in a spaceship, and tip the pilot in gold bricks.

Bryant is a guy who gets on the floor, challenges his defender, and will take on the challenge on defense. He’s big and long and has a 7-foot-6 wingspan to prove it. Bryant is a big man who can guard on the block and switch out to a guard, shoot threes, run the floor, and finish a lob. For a late second-round pick, to get the production that he gives you is a huge win, granted the lakers are doing okay without him, I think they miss him a little bit and the Wizards are grateful to have him.

I compare him to a more agile Clint Capela with a jump shot. Clint has more size than Bryant, but for his price tag, and Bryant’s upside, give me Bryant over Clint any day of the week.