NBA Most Improved Player: 3 leading contenders to be named the NBA's MIP

#2 Julius Randle

Randle has excelled since leaving the Lakers

After spending four seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Julius Randle headed to the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the 18/19 season. Randle was coming off a year in which he was the only Laker to appear in all 82 games, although he had been in and out of the starting lineup, and Los Angeles ultimately opted to renounce his rights.

However, the 24-year-old quickly set out to prove his former employers wrong, and while the Lakers have lacked a reliable big man all season long, Randle has improved immensely -- becoming a player who is widely touted as a future All-Star.

In 30.4 minutes per game, Randle has averaged 21.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, also developing a shot from beyond the arc. Randle's rapid development is also likely to be recognized this summer, as the big is expected to re-test his value via free-agency.