The Favorite: Bennedict Mathurin/Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers
At least one of Mathurin or Nembhard will need to go off on offense for the Pacers to navigate the regular season without Tyrese Haliburton. Mathurin could get the edge after head coach Rick Carlisle revealed to Caitlin Cooper of Basketball, She Wrote that he’s going to start. But Nembhard should have more control over running the entire offense and might just make #PlayoffNembhard his default.
The Sleeper: Trey Murphy, New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans has done a bang-up job of burying Murphy in the pecking order with the additions of Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Jordan Poole. Zion Williamson isn’t going anywhere, either.
Given this team’s propensity for injuries—Queen is already hurt—Murphy should still get tons of opportunities. Don’t rule out a Tyrese Maxey Year 3-to-Year 4 scoring jump from him.
The Wild Card: Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets
Just seven second-year players have won Most Improved honors. It hasn’t happened since Monta Ellis did it in 2006-07.
Houston’s offseason has nevertheless unfolded like its banking on Sheppard assuming a major role. Kevin Durant should lead the team in scoring, but he’s not hard-wired to run the offense. Sheppard should get plenty of cracks at directing the show. If he performs well from the outset, it could set the stage for more minutes and a breakout sophomore season.