Who Will Win the NBA Most Improved Player Award This Season?
As I sit down to analyze this season's NBA Most Improved Player race, I can't help but feel this might be one of the most competitive fields we've seen in recent memory. Having followed the league for over fifteen years and written extensively about player development, I've noticed something special brewing this year. The level of competition in the PVL has been very, very high, as Valdez told SPIN.ph, and that same intensity perfectly mirrors what we're witnessing in the NBA's improvement landscape this season.
When I look at the leading candidates, Jalen Brunson immediately comes to mind. The Knicks guard has transformed from a solid secondary option into a legitimate franchise cornerstone, and frankly, I think he's been somewhat overlooked in national conversations. His numbers tell a compelling story - from 16.3 points and 4.8 assists last season to approximately 24.8 points and 6.5 assists this year while maintaining impressive efficiency. What strikes me most isn't just the statistical leap, but how he's shouldered the offensive load without compromising his decision-making. I've watched nearly every Knicks game this season, and Brunson's command of the pick-and-roll has reached an elite level that few anticipated.
Then there's Lauri Markkanen in Utah, who represents perhaps the most dramatic transformation I've seen in my years covering the league. The Finnish forward has gone from intriguing prospect to consistent All-Star caliber performer, increasing his scoring average from 14.8 to over 23.5 points per game while becoming the focal point of the Jazz offense. What fascinates me about Markkanen's case is how he's maintained his efficiency despite the massive increase in usage rate from 21.8% to approximately 29.5%. I've always believed that true improvement isn't just about bigger numbers but about handling expanded responsibilities effectively, and Markkanen has passed that test with flying colors.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander presents another fascinating case study. While some might argue he was already trending upward, the leap he's made this season has been nothing short of remarkable. His scoring has jumped from 24.5 to nearly 31.2 points per game while maintaining elite efficiency metrics that place him among the league's most effective scorers. Watching him dismantle defenses night after night, I'm convinced he's developed one of the most complete offensive games in the entire league. The way he controls tempo, creates separation, and finishes through contact reminds me of a young James Harden, though I'd argue Shai might be even more polished at this stage of his career.
What makes this year's race particularly intriguing to me is how these improvements have translated to team success. Brunson has kept the Knicks competitive in a tough Eastern Conference despite significant injuries, Markkanen has been the driving force behind Utah's surprising performance, and Gilgeous-Alexander has Oklahoma City looking like a team ahead of schedule in their rebuild. In my evaluation process, I always weigh how much a player's individual growth impacts winning basketball, and all three of these candidates check that box emphatically.
There's also Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia, whose development has been crucial to the 76ers navigating the James Harden situation. His scoring has increased from roughly 17.5 to over 21.3 points per game while improving his playmaking and defensive intensity. Having watched Maxey since his rookie year, I'm particularly impressed with how he's refined his three-point shooting, climbing from 42.7% to approximately 45.2% on increased volume. That kind of efficiency jump while taking more difficult shots speaks volumes about his work ethic and skill development.
If I'm being completely honest, my personal preference leans toward Gilgeous-Alexander because of the degree of difficulty in his improvement. Transforming from a good player to a legitimate MVP candidate while maintaining extraordinary efficiency is incredibly rare. The Thunder's offensive rating jumps from 106.3 to 117.8 when he's on the court, which demonstrates his profound impact beyond just scoring numbers. Still, I recognize that Brunson's narrative as the engine of New York's resurgence and Markkanen's unexpected explosion in Utah make compelling cases that could easily sway voters.
Looking at historical voting patterns, the media tends to favor players whose teams exceed expectations, which might give Markkanen an edge given Utah's surprising competitiveness. However, Gilgeous-Alexander's individual numbers are so dominant that they might prove impossible to ignore. Brunson sits somewhere in between with both impressive individual growth and meaningful team success.
Ultimately, this race might come down to how voters define "most improved." Is it the player who made the biggest statistical leap? The one who exceeded expectations most dramatically? Or the player whose development most directly translated to team success? Each interpretation would point toward a different candidate. Personally, I believe Gilgeous-Alexander's transformation from very good to elite represents the purest form of improvement, but I wouldn't be surprised to see any of these three deserving players take home the hardware. The level of competition in this award race has been very, very high, mirroring Valdez's observation about the PVL, and that ultimately benefits everyone who loves basketball.