Jalen Williams and Jalen Johnson are favorites to win NBA Most Improved Player.
Last year’s Most Improved Player Award winner was Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers.
LaMelo Ball occupies the top contender spot for Most Improved Player.
One of the most exciting award races this season, competition for Most Improved Player has seen some impressive development across the league. While the top contenders haven’t changed, a certain player has forced his way into the conversation after a monstrous week. At WSN, we’re locked in on the race for Most Improved Player, offering the latest odds, predictions, and analyses for the 2024-25 NBA season!
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The competition for Most Improved Player has been one of the most dynamic of the season. Jalen Williams has capitalized on his opportunities and matched Jalen Johnson on the odds table as a favorite for the award. Also, LaMelo Ball and RJ Barrett maintain their status as contenders after their starts to the season. But Hawks guard Dyson Daniels has impressed, forcing his way into the Most Improved Player conversation.
Versatile Hawks forward Jalen Johnson continues to impress this season, helping his team into the top five of the Eastern Conference. His all-around production has put teams on notice, and his partnership with Trae Young has given him ample opportunity to contribute. Performing against some of the league’s top sides, it’s no wonder Johnson is at the top of the odds table.
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Who are the Favorite to Win NBA Most Improved Player?
Jalen Johnson - Atlanta Hawks (+500) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2024-25
ATL
22
14
36.6
19.4
9.9
5.4
1.4
1.1
7.4/.477
1.4/.313
Jalen Johnson maintains his place at the top of the odds table, putting in continually impressive performances for the Hawks. Last week, he averaged 20.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on 57.8% from the field. His Hawks went 2-1 through Week 4, with him posting 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in an upset victory over the Boston Celtics. When Johnson plays well, the Hawks have an excellent chance of winning, and those occurrences have happened more frequently lately.
Jalen Williams - Oklahoma City Thunder (+950) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2024-25
OKC
23
14
32.2
20.8
6.4
5.0
2.0
1.0
8.3/.513
1.9/.403
Jalen Williams has been one of the standout players for the Oklahoma City Thunder, recently stepping up in the absence of Chet Holmgren. His Thunder went 3-1 last week, where he averaged 25.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 steals on 56.7% from the field. Williams’ best performance in a blowout win over the Pelicans, posting 31 points, seven rebounds, and four assists while hitting four threes on the night. Williams will continue to thrive as Oklahoma City ultimately buys into a small-ball lineup.
Who Are the Contenders to Win NBA Most Improved Player?
LaMelo Ball - Charlotte Hornets (+1100) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2024-25
CHO
23
13
33.9
29.7
5.0
6.7
1.2
0.2
10.2/.435
4.6/.361
LaMelo Ball has been brilliant this season, looking like a true All-Star in the early phases of the regular season. His Hornets went 1-2 last week, where he averaged 30.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 4.0 threes per game. He stood out in a blowout loss to the Magic, posting 35 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. While his numbers are excellent, Ball’s success is yet to affect the Hornets’ winning habits this season.
RJ Barret has cooled off from the field, but he’s impacted the game with his playmaking efforts to compensate. He struggled from the field in his last week, averaging 18.0 points on 32.4% shooting, but he still contributed 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in four appearances. Winless the previous week, Barrett’s best performance came in an overtime loss to the Celtics, where he posted 25 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds in 42 minutes. Barrett will remain the focal point of the Raptors' offense for as long as Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley remain out with injuries.
Who Is the Dark Horse to Win 2025 Most Improved Player of the Year?
Dyson Daniels - Atlanta Hawks (+900) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2024-25
ATL
21
12
33.5
15.0
4.6
3.0
3.7
0.8
6.3/.472
1.2/.275
Dyson Daniels has been a revelation for the Hawks this season. Brought in with expectations of being a third-stringer, Daniels has fought his way into a crucial position with the Hawks. A defensive ace, Daniels shocked the league by averaging 21.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 4.7 steals through Atlanta’s 2-1 run last week. He was immense in Atlanta’s upset victory over the Celtics, putting up 28 points, seven assists, and six steals. His defensive quality has drawn attention, but the added offensive improvement has led many to see Daniels as a genuine threat for the Most Improved Player.
Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers won the 2024 Most Improved Player Award. Despite star man Joel Embiid missing significant time for the Sixers, Maxey stepped up to keep the Sixers in playoff contention while also earning his first All-Star appearance. It was the second time a member of the Philadelphia 76ers won the award.
Through his 2023-24 regular season campaign, Maxey proved himself to be one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 threes per game on 45.0% efficiency and 37.3% from three-point range. Despite Maxey’s efforts, the Sixers’ injury issues contributed to their seventh-place finish and First Round playoff exit at the hands of the New York Knicks.
Maxey was the favorite to win Most Improved Player throughout the NBA season, accumulating 51 first-place votes, 18 second-place votes, and ten third-place votes at the end of the season. His closest challenger was Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, who accumulated 305 total points to Maxey’s 319.
When Will the NBA's Most Improved Player Be Announced?
The winner of the NBA's Most Improved Player Award is expected to be announced following the conclusion of the NBA regular season and the NBA Play-In tournament. Last year's Most Improved Player Award was presented by the winner's team while also being broadcast during an episode of Inside the NBA.
Does the NBA’s Most Improved Player Receive a Prize?
The NBA’s Most Improved Player winner does not receive a prize per se. In commemorating their accomplishment, the award winner is written into NBA history as one of its most notable players. The Most Improved Player Award signals a player's growth and who to expect more from as their career progresses. They may receive specific bonuses as stipulated through negotiations in their NBA contract.
Most Improved Player FAQ
Have Any Most Improved Player Winners Become All-Stars?
There have been 20 Most Improved Player winners who have become NBA All-Stars.
Alvin Robertson, Dana Barros, Tracy McGrady, Jermaine O'Neal, Danny Granger, Kevin Love, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Ja Morant won the award and became All-Star in the same season.
Dale Ellis, Kevin Duckworth, Kevin Johnson, Gilbert Arenas, Zach Randolph, Goran Dragic, and Pascal Siakam became All-Stars in subsequent seasons after winning the award.
Boris Diaw, Kevin Love, Pascal Siakam, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only winners who became NBA Champions. And Tracy McGrady is the only Most Improved Player winner to be named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame!
Does Fan Vote Determine the NBA’s Most Valuable Player?
The NBA Most Improved Player Award is determined by a panel of sportswriters across the United States and Canada. Each panel member is allowed a first-, second-, and third-place vote worth 5, 3, and 1 point(s), respectively. The player with the highest point total wins the award.
Has an International Player Ever Won Most Improved Player?
Six international players have been named the league's Most Improved Player. They are: Lauri Markkanen (2023) - Finland, Pascal Siakam (2019) - Cameroon, Giannis Antetokounmpo (2017) - Greece, Goran Dragic (2014) - Slovenia, Hedo Turkoglu (2008) - Turkey, Boris Diaw (2006) - France, and Gheroghe Muresan (1996) - Romania.
Who Won the First NBA Most Improved Player Award?
Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs was the first-ever Most Improved Player Award winner. In his second season, Robertson averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 steals per game after playing 82 games. Robertson became the 1986 Defensive Player of the Year, a six-time All-Defensive Team member, a four-time All-Star, and a three-time steals champion.
Which NBA Player Position Has the Best Chance of Winning Most Improved Player?
Most Improved Player of the Year Award winners have been distributed relatively evenly between guards and forwards, but forwards have the slight edge all-time. Forwards have won Most Improved Player of the Year 19 times, compared to guards, who have won 14 times, and centers, who have won just five times.
Which NBA Franchises Have Produced the Most NBA Most Improved Player Winners?
The Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic have won the Most Improved Player of the Year award more than any other team in NBA history. With five winners in franchise history, the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic have provided an excellent opportunity for players to flourish. The players that have won Most Improved Player for the Indiana Pacers were: Victor Oladipo (2018), Paul George (2013), Danny Granger (2009), Jermaine O'Neal (2002), and Jalen Rose (2000). The players that have won Most Improved Player for the Orlando Magic were: Ryan Anderson (2012), Hedo Turkoglu (2008), Tracy McGrady (2001), Darrell Armstrong (1999), and Scott Skiles (1991).
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Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
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