NBA: Top 10 Candidates For 2016-17 Most Improved Player Of The Year

NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Most Improved Player Of The Year Award In 2016-17

Mar 26, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to pass the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and center Alex Len (21) defend during the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 105-94. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Victor Oladipo

Not every game is going to go as smoothly for Victor Oladipo as his preseason debut, which saw the 24-year-old shooting guard put up 34 points, five assists and two steals in 33 minutes. But if that’s any sort of indication of how Oladipo will be empowered with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his first legitimate breakout season will be fearsome to behold.

True enough, Oladipo had a great statistical year in his second season, averaging 17.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, but those were fairly empty numbers for an Orlando Magic team that went 25-57.

His numbers shrank to 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists last season, and as he vacillated between starting and bench role under Scott Skiles, Orlando basically gave up on him this summer. Playing alongside Russell Westbrook, Oladipo has his chance to prove to the world what a mistake that was — Kevin Durant or no Kevin Durant.

Three-point shooting and offensive spacing will be concerns for the Thunder, since Oladipo’s career high three-point percentage through three seasons is 34.8 percent. But if OKC can turn defense into offense and Oladipo blossoms as a secondary scoring threat, don’t rule anything out.