NBA Awards Watch: The Andrew Wiggins breakout

Most Improved Player

1. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls – The fact that Jimmy Butler has a legitimate claim on the number two spot in the league’s shooting guard hierarchy is a testament to just how far he has come in 12 months. The former Marquette star is averaging 21.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game (all career bests), and his efficiency has made a gigantic leap that includes increases of 8% in field goal percentage, 6% in three-point percentage and nearly 8% in true shooting percentage. Butler isn’t the most talented player on the Bulls roster, but he is probably their best two-way option, and for a team that fancies itself as a title contender, that is high praise.
2. Shabazz Muhammad, Minnesota Timberwolves – Just months ago, it seemed like Muhammad could be out of the league in a hurry. He had off-the-court problems to pair with mediocre play on the floor and a unique style that seemed hard to incorporate, and on a team in transition, it was unclear whether he would fit in the long-term. The now 22-year-old Muhammad has really grown in the last 12 months, however, and his power-based game from a swingman position has proven effective to the tune of a 20.24 PER and per-36 minute averages of 21.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. He probably won’t be come the star that many hoped for out of high school, but it is clear that there is a productive role out there for Shabazz Muhammad.
3. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors – It seems crazy that a player could improve after receiving a massive contract extension, but that is what has taken place with Klay Thompson. One year ago, Thompson averaged an empty 18.4 points per game (on 44/41/80 shooting), and he was almost fully reliant on “help” to produce quality shot attempts. This year, the 24-year-old Thompson is a real threat in creating his own looks, and his efficiency has drastically improved, including a 46/44/86 shooting line with a jump in PER from 14.32 to 19.76. There is no longer any question about whether Thompson is a star-level shooting guard, and his ability to assuage those doubts lands him here.

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