Lauri Markkanen Emerges as Heavy Favorite to Win Most Improved Player

A pair of rising Utah Jazz players have been named as finalists for the 2022-23 Kia Awards.

All-Star Lauri Markkanen, coming off his first year with the Jazz, was nominated for the Most Improved Player, while starting center Walker Kessler is up for the Rookie of the Year award.

Acquired in the Donovan Mitchell trade, Markkanen posted career highs in points (25.6), FG %,(49.9%), and assists (1.9). The former lottery pick from Finland led his team to a 37-45 record in a season where the Las Vegas oddsmakers had the Jazz pegged to win 22 games in their preseason rankings.

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder were also nominated for the award, but where it stands now, Markkanen is the heavy favorite. Worlds Sports Network has Markkanen’s betting odds set at -400 while Gilgeous-Alexander and Brunson are at +250 and +3000, respectively.

First year as a Jazzman
First-time All-Star
First-time All-Star starter
First-time MIP finalist

It’s been a year full of firsts for The Finnisher and it’s not over yet!

Congratulations, @MarkkanenLauri 💙#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/dKgPcECIPc
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 14, 2023

Kessler exceeded all the pundits' expectations in his first year in the league. Being drafted in the first round with the 22nd pick, it wasn’t sure if he would be spending the year with the Jazz or the Salt Lake City Stars. However, it was clear within the first week of the season that Kessler would be a major contributor out of the gates.

Kessler finished the year averaging 9.2 ppg and hauling in 8.4 rebounds while swatting 2.3 blocks per game. His stat line improved as the season progressed, averaging a double-double in the month of March (13.8 ppg, 10 rebounds).

Despite a stellar season, Kessler will be a darkhorse to win the award. Heading into the voting, World Sports Network has Orlando Magic’s Paola Banchero as a resounding favorite (-7000) with Kessler sitting at +6500. Oklahoma City's standout Jalen Williams was also nominated and according to the oddsmakers, he's a long shot at +2700.

The dates the NBA will announce the winners haven’t been set, although last year, the Most Improved Player was announced on April 25 and the Rookie of the Year on April 23.

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