A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox’s Case For Most Improved Player

By Ryan Ritter

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 12: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a foul against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 12: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a foul against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 21: Buddy Hield #24 and teammate De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings talk on court in a NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 21: Buddy Hield #24 and teammate De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings talk on court in a NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Team Success

Of course, stats are not everything. NBA award voters tend to give the nod to players that help their team win. It would be beneficial to take a look at how many wins the teams of the past ten winners have accumulated to see where the Kings need to be by the end of the year.

Average wins: 41.3

Average win share: 9.1

On the whole, over the last decade, winning the Most Improved Player award involves being on at least a team over .500 by the end of the year. More than that, the most improved player has played a significant role in those wins, with an average win share of just over nine. Let us compare that to De’Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings. As of this writing, the Kings sit at 10-11, which would put them on pace for about 39-40 wins this season. Fox’s current average win share, however, is only 1.3.

Can the Kings get to 41?  It is not impossible, but it is fairly unlikely. For reference, that would involve a 14-win jump from last year. The Kings are not incapable of doing that, but it is rare to see that type of improvement without a significant move the offseason prior, like a marquee free agent signing. As far as win share, that particular stat is best measured using full-season statistics, so this will fluctuate by the end of the season. But it is something to consider right now.

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