Nets’ Mikal Bridges listed as potential MIP award winner in 2023-24

Brooklyn Nets guard Mikal Bridges has seen his popularity rise ever since he came to Brooklyn as a result of the Kevin Durant trade. How Bridges played towards the end of last season has some believing that he can be even better in the 2023-24 season.

Recently, Bleacher Report released an article listing 10 players that they believe could win the Most Improved Player award next season. Bridges was the first player listed which could indicate that they believe he is the front runner to win the award because of what he’s expected to do given how well he played at the end of last season.

Bridges, 27, played 27 games with the Nets last season and in that span, he averaged 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 37.6% from three-point land. There is even some belief that if Bridges continues his stellar play from last season that he could be an All-Star.

“Mikal Bridges is the current betting favorite to win Most Improved Player, thanks to his new full-time role as the offensive alpha on the Nets.

His play following a February trade to Brooklyn was good enough to finish fourth in the 2022-23 voting, as his scoring jumped 9.1 points to 26.1 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and a 37.6 percent mark from three.

The 27-year-old has been one of the better wing defenders for years now and finally has a role where he can showcase his offensive talents without any other Devin Booker-esque talent around him. If Brooklyn stays in the playoff hunt, Bridges will almost certainly be a first-time All-Star.

With the new CBA stating that players must play in at least 65 games to be eligible for major awards and All-NBA teams, no player should have an easier time clearing this hurdle than Bridges.

The league’s most durable player has yet to miss a game in his five-year career, even suiting up in 83 contests between the Phoenix Suns and Nets last season.”