Los Angeles Lakers 2016-17 Regular Season Team Awards
Most Improved Player: Shooting Guard, Nick Young
Some people will see Nick Young and scratch their heads. How could a player entering his 10th season in the league be the most improved player on a roster filled with improving young players? But, when looking at the circumstances Young faced coming into the season, he more than qualifies.
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There were serious doubts that Young would even be on the team this season. It didn’t seem that the Lakers had a spot for him with their youth movement. Walton saw something in Young that he liked and decided not only to keep him but name him his starting shooting guard. It proved to be the right decision.
Young put together one of the most complete seasons in his career. Young has been known as a gunner most of his season coming off the bench. As the starting shooting guard, he became a solid veteran presence on a young Lakers team. He set the tone defensively and provided a good scoring punch, making a career-high 40.4 percent of his three-pointers.
Young was eventually shut down like the other veterans on the team but his presence was definitely felt. Young changed his perception around the league and could turn it into one last multi-year deal this offseason if he opts out of his contract.