Most NBA players follow a similar arc of improvement, making their biggest strides in their second and third pro seasons, after learning plenty as rookies. New Orleans offseason trade addition Jonas Valanciunas’ development has been more of a steady, career-long progression. Last season, his ninth in the league, was his best by every statistical measure, with the 6-foot-11 center averaging career highs in scoring (17.1 ppg), rebounding (12.5 rpg) and field-goal percentage (59.2) for Memphis.
Since being drafted No. 5 overall by Toronto, Valanciunas has upped his point production from the previous campaign six different times, but that progress has mostly gone unnoticed – he’s somehow never received a single vote in annual Most Improved Player balloting.