Inside The Spurs

Spurs' Keldon Johnson Overlooked for NBA Most Improved Odds?

How much of a chance does Keldon Johnson have to win NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year?

Grant Afseth

Spurs' Keldon Johnson Overlooked for NBA Most Improved Odds?
Spurs' Keldon Johnson Overlooked for NBA Most Improved Odds? /

The San Antonio Spurs moved on from All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, and there will now be a significant opportunity for the young players on the team to make strides in their development.

Ja Morant received this year's NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award averaging 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. He experienced an increase of 8.3 points per game in his scoring average with significantly improved efficiency. 

Now former Spur, Murray, finished with the second most votes. His production went up substantially across the board. He averaged 21.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 2.0 steals, all of which comfortably set new single-season career-bests. 

NBA's 2022-23 Most Improved Player Award compiled by Sports Betting Dime featured Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards holding top odds (+1400). There were plenty of other names including recent top draft picks and fringe All-Star talents. 

Here are the full odds: 

  • Jalen Brunson (+1400)
  • Anthony Edwards (+1400)
  • RJ Barrett (+1600)
  • Onyeka Okongwu (+1600)
  • Jalen Green (+1800)
  • LaMelo Ball (+2000)
  • Cade Cunningham (+2000)
  • Tyrese Haliburton (+2000)
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+2500)
  • Anfernee Simons (+2500)

The Spurs' best candidate to potentially content for Most Improved Player of the Year appears to be Keldon Johnson. He is coming off a 2021-22 campaign with averages of 17.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. 

After being the Spurs' second-leading scorer last season, Johnson is primed to assume the role of being the top option. There is a substantial void to fill with Murray no longer on the team. If he handles the increased usage well, he could have a true breakout season. 

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Grant Afseth
GRANT AFSETH

Grant Afseth is an NBA reporter primarily covering the Dallas Mavericks, but also the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic for FanNation, as well as the league at larger for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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