A player on the Sacramento Kings roster will win Most Improved Player this year. That and five other bold predictions for the 2020-2021 season.
The Sacramento Kings are coming off of an underwhelming season in which they took a step back in their rebuild, but there is a new regime in town. The upcoming campaign will likely be one of transition, and the team could find itself near the bottom of the league’s rankings by the end of the season.
But there is plenty of basketball to be played, and there are always teams that are pleasant surprises. The Kings might not be one of them, but they have a handful of interesting storylines to follow this season. Here are six bold predictions for Sacramento, starting with No. 1:
Prediction #1: Marvin Bagley Wins Most Improved Player
One of the most intriguing and important storylines for the Sacramento Kings this season will be the development of Marvin Bagley. The third-year big man is coming off of a season marred by unfortunate injuries and has been the subject of unfair comparisons to the players that were drafted around him. He is now, by his own indications, playing with a chip on his shoulder with plenty to prove to his doubters.
Bagley is still the talented and ultra-athletic player he was when the Kings selected him in 2018. He has the ability to be a nightly 20-and-10 guy, which he shows flashes of during his rookie season. He is still a large part of the Kings’ future plans, and the team will undoubtedly look to dedicate some of the upcoming season to his development. This will mean plenty of touches for Bagley, and opportunities to put up the necessary numbers to be able to take home the Most Improved Player award.
Another big factor working in Bagley’s favor is his age range. He will be 22 years old at season’s end, the same age as two of the last four MIP winners. A vast majority of the players who receive the honors have won it during their third of fourth seasons, putting Bagley in prime position. Add in the fact that many of the favorites to win the award according to Vegas are 2018 draftees, and he might be the most valuable bet on the board.