NBA: Top 10 candidates for 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year Award

10. Dennis Schroder

Technically speaking, Dennis Schroder already had something of a breakout year, putting up 17.9 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game in his first season at the helm of the Atlanta Hawks. Given the lack of talent around him for the 2017-18 campaign, however, he could very easily make another huge leap in the stats column.

For one thing, Schroder could try to improve on his 45.1 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from 3-point range. For another, he’ll most definitely be taking more shots than the 15.4 per game he averaged last year, given that his best teammates are now Kent Bazemore and a rookie.

The only problem is, the Hawks might be so terrible that Schroder’s career-best numbers fly under the radar. With the next nine guys likely heading for breakout seasons as well, any one of them would get the edge simply because they’ll be playing for more competitive teams.