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

2. Evan Mobley

Mobley was also a strong candidate for this award coming into last season, but he missed over two months due to a knee injury. In addition to that, the Cavs offensive scheme last season was not best suited to help Mobley leap offensively. 

Last season, Mobley averaged a career-high in field goal percentage (58), three-point percentage (37.4), rebounds (9.4), and assists (3.2). In the playoffs though, especially after Jarrett Allen went down due to injury, Mobley showed exactly what he can be when he has the ball in his hands.

Against the Boston Celtics, Mobley averaged 21 points and nine rebounds on 63 percent shooting. This includes the 33-point performance he had in Game 5 of that series. Mobley was aggressive and assertive and attacked the paint. He also showed great touch on his mid-range jumper and kept the defense honest with his three-point shooting.

New Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has said that it is a priority to put the ball in Mobley’s hands more and wants to use him as an offensive hub for the Cavs. Early returns from training camp and Cavs preseason have been positive. 

Mobley has looked stronger and has had the ball in his hands a lot more. He has been driving to the basket, showing off his handle on the fastbreak, and has been more willing to shoot threes. He had 19 points in 18 minutes in the Cavs’ preseason opener against the Bulls

If Mobley can up his offensive production, to go along with his elite defense, he can push Wembanyama as a frontrunner for this award. Which leads to number one...