He should be the frontrunner for the award.
When scouting the 2021 NBA draft class, the Atlanta Hawks front office was looking for a compliment to franchise superstar Trae Young. They needed someone talented and explosive who could someday develop into an All-Star.
Given the Hawks’ late first-round pick, many hoped Atlanta would make the right decision. The chances of drafting a legitimate star were minimal, but the scouting department knew what they were doing. Eventually, the clock turned in favor of Atlanta, and they submitted their choice — one-and-done Duke forward, Jalen Johnson.
As a freshman for the Wildcats, Johnson averaged 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 52.3% from the floor and 44.4% from three-point territory. Additionally, Duke missed the NCAA March Madness tournament having withdrawn from the school early, leaving the six-foot-nine forward off the high-end radar of NBA scouts.
Fortunately, everything worked out for the Hawks. NBA scouts only had 13 games of film on Johnson, and he received little recognition from the ACC in his only season.
However, within these 13 games, Johnson displayed a burst of athleticism, ridiculous shot-making, and defensive potential. He understood how to use his strengths and displayed superstar potential at the NBA level.
In his first two seasons with the Hawks, Johnson received a limited amount of opportunities to showcase his expertise. Conversely, of the minutes he earned, fans knew the rare breed of talent Atlanta drafted in 2021.
The roster changed, players were moved, and Johnson found himself as a starter for Atlanta. Head coach Quin Snyder was aware of his skillset and immediately put it to use.
Despite playing just 56 games in 2023-24, Johnson averaged 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on an efficient 58.4% true shooting. These numbers are phenomenal, but they fail to present his defensive prowess.
Johnson’s versatility in stretching the floor is one of the many reasons he quickly became Atlanta’s third option.
In the summer, Atlanta traded all-star guard Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, which elevated Johnson as Snyder’s second option. This implied another leap was coming.
Through 32 games this season, the former first-round pick is averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, shooting 51.2% from the field in 36.3 minutes per game.
Furthermore, Johnson’s numbers have increased across the board, which makes him an instant candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. However, he deserves to win the award because his contributions have resulted in wins.
Despite adjustments to the roster, Atlanta missed the playoffs last season as a Play-In Tournament contender. This year, the Hawks currently sit at 22 wins, just two games behind the fourth seed. It is no coincidence that Johnson’s numbers have increased, and the entire franchise has benefited.
There is no reason why the Most Improved Player odds favor someone other than Johnson. He has jumped tremendously on the court and excelled as one of the primary factors to the Hawks’ success this season.
Luckily for Hawks fans, Atlanta recently signed Johnson to a five-year rookie contract extension. This was a bargain deal, as the 23-year-old will soon become a superstar in the Eastern Conference.