Jalen Williams Has An Uphill Climb For NBA's Most Improved Award
Jalen Williams has taken a massive leap in his second NBA season. The Thunder wing carried over his post All-Star break consistency from a season ago and turned it into a full season sample size. He has become the second option on a streaking Thunder team and appears to be the perfect complimentary star to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Williams made a valiant effort at the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, but it feels like a lost cause at this point. It's rare and almost impossible for a second year player to take home the award, so there's no shame in missing out on it this year. His trajectory suggests another big leap is coming soon.
Currently, Williams has the fourth best odds and Tyrese Maxey is running away with the award. Maxey has been massive for the Sixers in Joel Embiid's absence and has taken the star jump after James Harden's departure. At +1800, behind the Sixers budding star at -550, it's probably longer than a long shot. It has been a good effort, though.
In his rookie season, Williams finished second place in the Rookie of the Year voting, averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Many thought he could take a step back after such an efficient first year, but he has taken a massive leap forward.
He's currently averaging 19.1 points, 4.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds on 54% shooting and 44.3% from 3-point range. He has taken over the role of fourth quarter killer and is a go-to option for the Thunder in the clutch. Although Oklahoma City doesn't have a traditional one-through-five lineup, he's still playing out of position on paper at the four. What he's done this year has been spectacular.
In just his second season, it's not a surprise that Williams won't win the award. But with another jump and the Thunder emerging as a clear contender, the spotlight will be on him as a rising star. It's a more than feasible prediction for the future.
This season though, his improvement just hasn't been enough to jump Maxey.
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