2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 10 Most Improved Player Candidates

Nov 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks the ball in the third quarter against Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Denver Nuggets 108-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) reacts in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Verizon Center. The Raptors won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Otto Porter Jr.

Otto Porter Jr.’s case for Most Improved Player was a lot stronger in the first half of the season, but there’s no question he deserves some votes for the award. He’s still awaiting a true breakthrough season as the third member of the Washington Wizards‘ Big Three, but at the very least, he finally proved he’s not a draft bust.

Though he only increased his scoring and rebounding averages by 1.8 points and 1.2 rebounds per game, respectively, Porter’s efficiency shot into uncharted territory. The fourth-year wing shot a blistering 51.6 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from three-point range. In fact, Porter led the entire league in three-point efficiency before slightly falling off after the All-Star break.

Averaging 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game — all career-highs — made Porter yet another Scott Brooks success story when it comes to young players’ development.

His production tailed off as the year went on, but Porter’s age-23 season was a major step forward and a positive sign for Washington’s future.