Atlanta Hawks: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards

Most Improved Player: Jeremy Lin

This award usually goes to a player that significantly improves his production. Well, the Hawks don’t have too many players that project to do that. It’s possible that someone like Kent Bazemore, Taurean Waller-Prince, or Dewayne Dedmon could surprise everyone and turn into an All-Star caliber player. It just seems very unlikely.

If anyone on this team has a chance to snag MIP, it’s probably Jeremy Lin. The 30-year-old point guard has put up solid, if not unspectacular, numbers since his “Linsanity” days with the New York Knicks, averaging at least 11.3 points per game since that 2011-12 season. He also looked impressive in last year’s opener against the Indiana Pacers before injuring his knee. If he plays like he did in that game, then he has a good chance at the MIP trophy.

Lin could be the starter when the Hawks open the season, which means he’ll get plenty of minutes to show that he’s 100 percent. If he comes back from the injury strong and takes advantage of the expected increase in usage, then the MIP could be in his future.