For many years, the Milwaukee Bucks lorded over the Central Division. Last season was their first time not winning the division in seven years. However, next season could be even more difficult as many young players on opposing Central teams look to take big jumps.
Most Improved candidates abound in the Central
Beginning in Indiana, the Pacers are facing an uncertain year after an Achilles injury to star point guard Tyrese Halliburton. However, the Pacers were an incredibly deep team that gave the Bucks plenty of trouble, both in the regular season and playoffs.
In Halliburton's absence, multiple other players will attempt to step up and fill the void. Indiana still has an incredibly deep roster. Andrew Nembhard is considered one of the favorites for Most Improved Player next season as he will have ample opportunity to boost his counting stats and run the show for an entire regular season.
Bennedict Mathurin is another name to watch. He has shown great scoring chops in bursts, but generally has been too unreliable for the Pacers to trust all the time. He can expect more shots next season, and if he’s able to get into more rhythm, he will have one of the biggest scoring jumps in the NBA.
Next is the Detroit Pistons, who want to take another leap after a historic turnaround last season. They already had a runner-up finish in the Most Improved race last season as Cade Cunningham came close to winning the award.
However, they have yet other young members of their core looking to take their own big jumps. Both Ausar Thompson and Jaden Ivey are hoping to make big leaps and prove themselves as long-term members of Detroit‘s future.
Thompson has a lot of room to grow offensively, although he’s already one of the league’s top defenders, and Ivey is looking to continue his trajectory from a season cut short by a tragic injury. The Bucks can expect both to display more confidence on the offensive end than they have in prior years.
Finally, the Chicago Bulls have some young players poised to make big improvements. Coby White is in a contract year and looking to prove that he is the Bulls’ long-term starting shooting guard. After the Bulls gave Josh Giddey a very sizable contract, White will need to prove himself in multiple ways to receive similar money. He was already second in the Most Improved voting two seasons ago, but taking another leap in playmaking and defense can help him reach an even higher level.
One thing is clear: the Milwaukee Bucks are no longer the dominant force in the Central Division. The Cleveland Cavaliers are favored by far to win the division overall, and even beyond them, multiple younger teams are developing and coming for the Bucks’ stronghold. It would help if the Bucks had some of their own young players take leaps.