Charlotte Hornets small forward, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, is very quietly becoming one of the most improved players in the NBA.

This season, the Hornets hold a record of 19-27 overall, with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist having missed 14 of those games. In those games, Charlotte went 3-11, including a ten-game losing streak. For those not wanting to keep up with the math, that means the team is 16-16 with MKG in the lineup.

To take things a step further, since his return from injury on December 10th, the Hornets are 10-7 when Kidd-Gilchrist sees more than 25 minutes of action. This just goes to show how much of an impact he has on the team, despite flying under the radar the majority of the time.

We’ve known since the moment he was drafted that MKG was an elite defender, but his offensive game has left a lot to be desired. Fortunately, Kidd-Gilchrist’s work ethic is second to none, resulting in an offseason of working tirelessly with sharp-shooter Mark Price. His efforts to this point have really started to show.

All of last season, Kidd-Gilchrist only took 60 shots from a distance of 10-19 ft, making 21 of them for a shooting percentage of 35. Through 32 games this season, he’s already taken 81 shots from that distance and is hitting them 43 percent of the time.

This has not only opened things up for him, but for his teammates as well.

In the past, defenders could pack the paint when Kidd-Gilchrist had the ball, almost daring him to pull up for a jumper, knowing the numbers were on their side. Having extra defenders in the paint not only made it difficult for him to score, but it crowded things for Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson as well.

Now that defenders are having to respect MKG’s shot more and more every game, it is forcing them to pull away from the basket. If the defenders stay packed in, he’s starting to make them pay.

This is a major reason why he’s been able to score double-digit points in 11 of his last 15 games. In 62 games last season, Kidd-Gilchrist hit double-figures in 14 of them. In 32 games this season, he’s already done it 18 times.

With Kemba Walker set to miss at least the next six weeks, the Hornets need all the help offensively they can get.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist isn’t just seeing an uptick in scoring, he’s improving his rebounding numbers from a season ago as well.

Last season, MKG only had two games with at least ten rebounds. He’s already had six games with at least ten this season in 30 less tries.

This has led to him already having six double-doubles as opposed to only one last year.

His six double-doubles are fourth-most among Eastern Conference small forwards and tied for sixth-most among all small forwards.

Despite his obvious improvements and undeniable impact on the team, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has gone about this season under-appreciated. If he continues to grow at his current rate, he will surely be an All-Star caliber player by next season.

While many have been quick to label him a bust, I’m expecting Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to storm onto the scene in a Kawhi Leonard– or Jimmy Butler-esque fashion by next season.