Los Angeles Lakers: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards

Most Improved Player: Lonzo Ball

Point guard Lonzo Ball took a lot of criticism during his rookie season. He was selected second overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, so it’s no surprise high expectations were placed on him. For what it’s worth, Ball had a productive rookie season.

He averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, but he wasn’t the most efficient shooter. He shot just 36 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from 3-point range in his first season in the league. Before it was all said and done, he was sidelined near the end of March by a knee injury.

Ball still managed to record 11 double-doubles and two triple-doubles during his rookie campaign and still earned First Team All-Rookie honors. Improving his shot should take him further and if he does, the Most Improved Player award should be his to win. With LeBron James in the rotation, there’s certainly less pressure on Ball to do it all. James taking some of the workload from Ball should improve his production in 2018-19.