4 underrated candidates for the 2023 NBA Most Improved Player Award

Most Improved Player candidate: Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges is another player who finished second in voting for an end-of-season award. He was runner-up for the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and was one of the most important players on a 64-18 Suns team. Bridges possess rare defensive abilities and emerged as the Suns’ go-to stopper. If he can expand his offensive game, a big season could be in store.

After an embarrassing end to the 2022 season, the Suns clearly have problems that need to be addressed. Chris Paul is 37 years old, Deandre Ayton is shrouded in uncertainty, and Devin Booker can’t do it all by himself. Bridges has already proven to be an incredibly efficient player and deserves a larger role in the offense.

Shot creation is not Bridges’ strong suit, but it doesn’t have to be with Booker and Paul drawing so much attention. If Bridges can elevate his game to All-Star level and the Suns find themselves back at the top of the Western Conference, Phoenix could get its first Most Improved Player since Goran Dragić in 2014.

Most Improved Player candidate: Alperen Sengün

Out of everybody on this list, Alperen Sengün will have the most increased role in the 2022-23 season after the Houston Rockets traded Christian Wood.

The Wood trade displays a commitment to Sengün as Houston’s center of the future. Sengün had inconsistent playing time during his rookie year, but he flashed his potential as a skillful big in the chances he got. Despite playing only 20.7 minutes a night, he dished out 2.6 assists per game.

The 6’9 big man out of Turkey still needs to prove he can stretch the floor after shooting a mere 24.8% from deep. However, the continuity of being an every-night starter should give him added opportunity and confidence. The Rockets will likely be a Western Conference bottom feeder which could hurt Sengün’s chances.

On the other hand, if he can become a 15, 10, and 5 player it will be hard to deny his worthiness for Most Improved.