Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen capped off a stunning turnaround in his career by claiming the NBA's Most Improved Player award Monday night.
Markkanen edged out Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson to win the award.
Markkanen, who is in Finland completing his mandated service to the country's military this summer, was traded to Utah as part of the deal that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in September.
The 7-foot forward, who had averaged under 15 points per game each of the last three seasons — the first two in Chicago, and then last year with Cleveland — then had what is by far the best season of his career, averaging 25.6 points per game on 49.9 percent shooting overall and 39.1 percent from 3-point range.