Phoenix Suns: 5 goals for T.J. Warren in 2017-18

3. Win Most Improved Player of the Year Award

This is another lofty goal for Warren, but he was an under-the-radar candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year last year, so why not run it back this season?

To be fair, he’d have to improve his stat line significantly to garner recognition for an award that’s been won by the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, C.J. McCollum, Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic in recent years. All those players made massive leaps to stardom with All-NBA caliber seasons (only McCollum failed to make an All-NBA team the season he won the award).

However, as much as Warren’s averages of 14.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game on 49.5 percent shooting would suggest he’d have to improve leaps and bounds to stand out, that’s not necessarily true. Just take a look at how Dragic, the Suns’ last MIP winner, improved from one season to the next to earn the award:

• 2012-13 Dragic:  14.7 PPG, 7.4 APG, 3.1 RPG, 44.3 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 74.8 FT%
• 2013-14 Dragic:  20.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.2 RPG, 50.5 FG%, 40.8 3P%, 76.0 FT%

By those standards, if Warren can reach our last goal of 7-8 rebounds, and establish himself as one of Phoenix’s go-to scorers alongside Devin Booker and/or Eric Bledsoe, he could throw himself in the running if he puts up 20 a game.

It’d take some efficient shooting to get there, Bledsoe would have to either be traded or step down as the team’s second go-to scorer, and it’s worth mentioning that winners of this award usually contribute to winning teams, which could hurt Warren’s case. However, after failing to throw his name in the ring last season, aiming for such a high goal this season makes sense.