Every season there are big offseason signings, key trades made, big name prospects being drafted, but the biggest thing that always gets overlooked are the most improved players in the league and how much of an impact they have with their teams. Since the 2010-11 season, every player who has won the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award has been an All-Star at some point in their careers and has helped set the foundation for many championship contending franchises.

This year will be no different as there are plenty of young and talented players across the NBA who not only have the same aspirations as the players that came before them, but look to become one of the faces of their franchise for years to come. 

Last season, Brandon Ingram, Bam Adebayo, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Devonte Graham were five of the league’s most improved players and are now the cornerstones of their organization for the foreseeable future. With the amount of young talent that is in the NBA nowadays, it is not out of question to think another big wave of players can take the next steps in their careers to become All-Star level talents. 

With the circumstances we face in our world today and with all of the health and safety protocols set in place, a lot of teams did not get to use this offseason as a means to develop their young talent. Not only does this affect many young teams around the league, but it may prove useful for young players who ended last year on a high-note. 

Due to the shorter offseason and limits on offseason training, we may have already gotten a glimpse last season at who this year’s most improved players will be. With that being said, let’s take a look at the five players who are best positioned to take the next steps in their career this upcoming season.