NBA: 5 Way-too-early Most Improved Player predictions for 2023-24

Taking an early look at what to expect during the 2023-24 NBA season, we explore five way-too-early Most Improved Player predictions.

We are about three months out from the start of a new NBA season and to say this offseason has been hectic would be an understatement. Players from all around the league have found new homes via free agency and trade.

Some players have wide-open opportunities to take a leap to the next level. Teams have gone in new directions regarding front office and coaching staff decisions. The NBA will be a bit different with all of the roster changes we have seen this offseason, and there are five players that I can think of that are poised for a breakout season this year. It may be early, but here are the top 5 most improved player candidates in order.

Way-too-early NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award predictions

5. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors decided to move on from Nick Nurse after a disappointing season in 2022-23. Former Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic has taken on the head coaching duties, and I have a feeling he is going to embrace the playmaking of Scottie Barnes. Expect Barnes to have a heavily increased role in the ballhandling department for Toronto. Dennis Schroder and Malichi Flynn make up the point guard position, but Scottie Barnes is a better playmaker than both and will see more minutes.

With Fred Van Vleet moving on in free agency and a coaching change, expect Barnes to build a more consistent game on both ends. When you are able to do that numbers can increase exponentially, and numbers are the biggest factor that goes into this award. Obviously, Pascal Siakam is the man in Toronto right now, but I do not see that stopping Barnes from making a jump.

Siakam and Barnes are too good of players to not find a way to mesh and coexist on the court, maybe it isn’t an instant connection, but expect it to happen. Many might consider the Raptors to be a bottom 5 team in the East heading into the season but do not be surprised at all if they start to play competitive basketball and hang around in the standings.

Despite the changes and loss of longtime Raptor Fred Van Vleet, this is still a team with good NBA players and all they need to do is find a way to affect the game as a team. Scottie Barnes could be the biggest difference-maker for this team and if he can find more ways to create offensively, things would look good for Toronto.