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5 Candidates For Most Improved Player in 2016-17

By Brandon Carney

Apr 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Mar 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Phoenix defeated Memphis 109-100. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Devin Booker, SG, Phoenix Suns

Unlike the first two players mentioned in this article, Devin Booker doesn’t have a clear path to an increase in opportunity next season.

If the Most Improved Player Award is in his future, it will be a result of becoming more comfortable in the NBA in his second season and taking a step forward production-wise.

During his rookie season, Booker showed flashes of what he has the potential to be. He averaged 13.8 points per game on 42 percent shooting from the field, 34 percent from three, and 84 percent from the line.

Those are undoubtedly solid numbers, but the percentages indicate there is room for improvement. He was touted as a sharpshooter at Kentucky, and he still is, but 34 percent from three leaves a little to be desired from someone who shot 41 percent from downtown in college.

Booker improved as last season went on, but unfortunately it happened at the expense of his shooting percentages. He averaged 10.6 points per game pre-All Star break on 45 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from three.

After the break, he jumped up to 19.2 points per game, but his percentages over his final 28 games were 40 percent from the field and 29 percent from three.

The scoring increase came as a result of an increase in shot attempts (2.9 pre-All Star and 5.4 post-All Star), but his efficiency clearly suffered. If he can combine the efficiency he had in the first half with the volume he had in the second, Booker could be in for a monster sophomore season.

Again, Booker won’t be looking at a huge increase in opportunity with Eric Bledsoe still in the picture, but there’s a good chance he improves enough to where he’s in the discussion for Most Improved Player anyway.

And if Summer League is any indication of the season he’s about to have, watch out. He made the competition look silly, averaging 26.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field in the two games he played.

Next: No. 2