NBA 2017-18: Most improved players

The NBA Most Improved Player of the Season award is given to the player who has performed exceedingly well in the regular year, eclipsing his performance levels from the previous season too.

Last year, the 'Greek Freak' Giannis Antetokounmpo beat off competition to win this award with excellent performances, but who are this season's candidates to earn such a prestigious accolade?

We take a look at five players who thus far, have bettered their performance levels from last season:

Kris Dunn (PG, Chicago Bulls):

On June 22, 2017, Chicago Bulls acquired point guard Kris Dunn along with shooting guard Zach Lavine and rights to the 7th pick in this summer's NBA Draft in exchange for veteran forward Jimmy Butler as well as rights to the 16th pick in 2017's NBA draft.

Supporters and critics alike felt this was another botched trade deal by the Bulls front office, where they had given away one of the league's best two-way players for seemingly nothing.

Before the trade, Dunn had a very disappointing rookie season. Last year's 5th pick, he had a 41.1 eFG - a metric which accounts for a 3-pointer being worth more than a 2-pointer, when a player who scores 50 eFG is considered average.

Averaging 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game across the entirety of last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves, it's fair to say he was yet to live up to expectations.

With the second lowest shooting percentage in their squad (37.7%), he also averaged just 29% from behind the arc. For a player who was widely predictated to win the Rookie of the Year accolade, these statistics were simply unacceptable.

Coming into the current campaign, Dunn made it his mission to prove all his doubters wrong. That's precisely what he has done, starting on a strong note as we reach the Christmas period.

At the time of writing, the 23-year-old is averaging 12.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while improving his shooting percentage (43%) and shot behind the arc (36%) too. His eFG rating has also improved to 46.5, so there's no reason why he cannot be in with a shout if he continues to progress in such convincing fashion.

Kristaps Porzingis (PF, New York Knicks):

The Unicorn flying high and continuing to improve

It seems like a distant memory when New York Knicks fans booed in unison at the Barclays Center when the team's front office selected 20-year-old Latvian Kristaps Porzingis with the 4th pick in the NBA Draft.

That was June 25, 2015. How times have changed since then.

Two-and-a-half seasons on, the fans cannot seem to get enough of the 7ft 3in Latvian, who they lovingly refer to as 'the Unicorn'. Porzingis has made sure they continue to demand more from him and the rest of his team-mates every night with performances that gradually have improved over time.

Carmelo Anthony's departure meant the onus had shifted towards others to lead the team forward, with the Latvian in particular seen as their best player. It's something that he has done with aplomb and statistics justify praise for the youngster's performances too.

Currently averaging 25.5 points per game, it's a significant improvement from his 18.1 last season. His shooting percentage has increased by 2% to 47% while shooting from behind the arc has also gone up 5% to 40 this year.

Jaylen Brown (SF, Boston Celtics):

Jaylen Brown: Flying high

Jaylen Brown was part of the one-and-done crop and having finished at the University of California, was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the third pick in last year's draft.

Immediately slotting into the squad as Jae Crowder's backup at the small forward position, he averaged a respectable 6.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game last season.

In late August this year, Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizac and Crowder were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving. This trade meant that Brown was now Boston's starting power forward for the 2017/18 campaign - news which would have undoubtedly served as a boost for the 21-year-old during pre-season.

On the opening night in mid-October, Gordon Hayward suffered a horrifying injury which consequently sidelined him for the remainder of this season. Unsurprisingly, this led to further burden being placed on Brown's shoulders.

However, he is proving why he was such a high draft pick with consistently impressive performances for the Celtics this term.

Averaging 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, he has also improved his shooting percentage (47%) and 3-point percentage (40%) since becoming a starter. His eFG has also improved, from 50.8% to 54.7%.

Brandon Ingram (SF, Los Angeles Lakers):

Brandon Ingram: Fulfilling his potential

Drafted as the second overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in last year's draft, the slender 6ft 11in forward from Duke had high expectations on his shoulders.

Unfortunately though, his rookie year performances did not match those aspirations from the front office and supporters - averaging a modest 9.4 points, 4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season.

Despite an underwhelming season given his ability and potential, the Lakers front office have maintained their faith by keeping him off the trading block.

He has replied in the best way possible, with excellent performances thus far during the 2017/18 season. Currently, he is averaging 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while his shooting has improved by 5% over both short and longer distances.

Victor Oladipo (SG, Indiana Pacers):

Victor Oladipo (4) is back on track

In a draft class that is widely considered to be one of the worst of all-time, Victor Oladipo was the second overall pick and projected to be Orlando Magic's saviour for seasons to come.

After three disappointing years there though, he was traded to Oklahoma City Thunder - where he averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game with a shooting percentage of 44.2% as well as a 3-point percentage of 36.1% last season.

Coming into the new campaign, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers for Paul George and the move has definitely reinvigorated him, back at the place where he dominated college basketball for three years.

Currently, he's averaging 24.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game with improved shooting statistics. If he continues to impress, it'd be a surprise not to see the 25-year-old a prime candidate for the Most Improved Player of the Year accolade.