The Oklahoma City Thunder are going into the 2024-25 season with a ton of expectations weighing on their shoulders. After obtaining the first seed in the Western Conference and a Semifinals appearance last season, people anticipate the Thunder will keep getting better.
This is in part due to their offseason acquisitions, where Thunder GM Sam Presti swapped Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso from the Bulls and signed Isaiah Hartenstein from the Knicks.
But ever more so, many individuals believe that current roster players from last season will build upon their game and achieve much more. According to Draftkings Sportsbook, Jalen Williams ranks around the sixth spot to with the NBA's Most Improved Player Award. The other players ahead of him are Victor Wembanyama, Evan Mobley, Johnathan Kuminga, Scottie Barnes, Josh Giddey, and tied with Cade Cunningham.
From his rookie season to last season, he placed 4th in the award's voting, where Williams went from 14 points per game to 19, as well as an increase in assists, blocks, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage.
With the absence of Josh Giddey from the starting lineup and an ever-growing competitive West, Williams looks to fill an even larger role alongside SGA and Chet. His electric play style of attacking the rim and shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arch, as well as lock-down defense, will be a crucial part in the Thunder's success this coming season.
While it is nearly impossible to foresee who will win the award before the season starts, J-Dub is a safe option to win MIP.
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