5 Most Improved Player of the Year candidates hiding in plain sight

3. Scoot Henderson

In the 2023 NBA Draft, the talk was all about Victor Wembenyama and Scoot Henderson as the two generational prospects in that class. Only Wembenyama lived up to that billing last year.

Henderson had an up and down rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers, dealing with injuries and struggling to adjust to the speed of the NBA game. Henderson was one of the most inefficient players in the NBA last year, shooting only 39 percent from the field, 33 percent from three-point range, and had a true shooting of 49 percent, well below the league average of 58 percent.

However, in his last 15 games last season, Henderson looked more comfortable, as he averaged almost 19 points, four rebounds, and eight assists per game. He looked confident as a slasher and playmaker and his shooting improved as well, as he shot 42 percent from three-point range in April on seven attempts per game.

Henderson is projected to be the Blazers starting point guard this season and with Shaedon Sharpe expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury, that creates more on-ball opportunities for Henderson. Additionally, playing with two great pick and roll big men in DeAndre Ayton and rookie Donovan Clingan, should help Henderson’s playmaking take another step forward.