Of the major American sports leagues, only the NBA features a Most Improved Player award. Plenty of debate centers around the honor, as fans dispute what constitutes improvement and which players should be eligible.
It’s extremely early in the season, but we can begin to think about which players have made substantial leaps. In this first edition of our NBA Most Improved Player watchlist, let’s discuss five players we’re tracking to potentially win the award. These are my thoughts on which players deserve the award, not who I predict voters will reward.
(No second-year players will be included here, but Bilal Coulibaly and Gradey Dick deserve shoutouts for their progression).
1. Jaden Ivey
After a tumultuous second year on a disastrous Detroit Pistons team, Jaden Ivey is finding his stride this season. The former fifth overall pick is finally harnessing his athletic gifts, averaging 19.7 points on above-average efficiency (57.9 percent true shooting) for the first time in his career. As his ball-handling responsibility keeps climbing, Ivey has responded as a creator.
His three-ball is falling, with Ivey converting 41.3 percent of his 5.1 attempts per game. Even if that number dips back to earth, Ivey’s process feels more composed. He’s attacking the basket more than ever, increasing his rim volume to 8.1 attempts per 75 possessions (93rd percentile). He doesn’t need stellar efficiency to bend defenses with his paint pressure, especially given Detroit’s improved spacing.
Ivey’s confidence is apparent, especially when attacking in early offense. When he shares the floor with Cade Cunningham, the Pistons sport an impressive 115 offensive rating. He’s competing harder on the defensive end, contributing to the Pistons’ 12th-ranked defense (112.1 defensive rating). His start to the season inspires further confidence in an eventual star turn.
jaden ivey has increased his rim volume substantially this season (5.4 -> 8.1 attempts per 75), helping fuel his third-year growth.
even if the 3pt shooting regresses some, the driving process has been encouraging, both as a secondary attacker and as the lead handler. pic.twitter.com/P5EZNWJGnW
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 8, 2024
2. Jalen Suggs
Paolo Banchero’s injury has necessitated Jalen Suggs stepping up on offense. Even before that injury, Suggs’ play suggested increased comfort shooting on high volume and creating with the ball in his hands. Despite a substantial increase in usage from last season (19.7 to 23.9 percent) and scoring volume (12.6 to 17.3 points per game), Suggs’ efficiency is still excellent (60 percent true shooting).
Without Banchero orchestrating the offense, Suggs’ playmaking improvements have been critical to the Orlando Magic’s (relative) success. His assist rate has jumped 11 percent from last season (26.2 percent currently). Suggs’ confidence in operating pick-and-rolls pops out, firing skips and patient interior passes. He’ll make plays for others while attacking closeouts and out of the post.
He is still one of the NBA’s best defensive players. Orlando’s offense has cratered without Banchero in the fold, but Suggs has done his part in keeping the Magic afloat. He deserves credit for thriving, despite large changes to his role and approach.
jalen suggs passing growth this season can be represented by jumps in his assist rate (15% -> 26.2%), assists per 75 (3.7 -> 5.4) and PNR ballhandler frequency (15.5% -> 27.3%).
he’s passing from all over the floor, the timing and detail stand out pic.twitter.com/7fbtHVZsns
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 8, 2024
3. Christian Braun
Braun’s insertion into the Denver Nuggets’ starting lineup has been as smooth a transition as the team could have hoped. The Nuggets’ depth is a notable problem, but Braun has helped solidify the starting unit (when it’s healthy). During his first stint as a full-time starter, Braun is averaging 16 points and 5.3 boards on impressive 65.4 percent true shooting.
Especially given the injuries Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon have sustained, Braun’s secondary scoring punch has been critical alongside Nikola Jokic. His synergy with Denver’s MVP initiator allows Braun to eat on open catch-and-shoot triples, cuts and attacking closeouts. He probably won’t hit 44.8 percent of his threes all season, but he’s been a positive shooter throughout his career.
nikola jokic and christian braun have fared excellently as a tandem, putting up impressive numbers in their time together on the floor.
the samples are all tiny, but braun’s growth has been critical for denver and his skillset clearly is amplified by jokic’s presence. pic.twitter.com/fOW0FRXlJO
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 8, 2024
He’s defending at a high level and protecting the paint (2.6 percent block rate) more than ever before, somewhat due to Gordon’s recent absence. His two-way play has rendered him one of Denver’s few reliable role players. He’ll likely always have limitations as a creator and a passer, but Braun is playing like the Nuggets’ dream fifth-starter option.
4. Evan Mobley
Counting stats can’t fully capture the extent of Evan Mobley’s improvement this season. He’s seen a slight uptick in scoring volume (15.7 to a career-high 17.3 points per game) and a slight decrease in efficiency (62.6 to 58.1 percent true shooting). Mobley’s increased offensive responsibility and skillset diversity — he’s carrying a career-high 24.6 percent usage rate — are worth noting.
New Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has made a priority of unlocking Mobley, utilizing him more frequently as a top-of-the-key initiator. It’s especially clear in lineups with Mobley as the lone center, where his ball-handling, expanded passing repertoire and driving confidence all shine.
Mobley is dominating games with a new level of flare and confidence. Alongside his usual defensive goodness, his offensive growth has been integral to Cleveland’s 9-0 start. As Mobley continues to feel comfortable as a lead handler, expect the Cavs offense to continue thriving with him on the floor.
5. Ivica Zubac
With Kawhi Leonard sidelined to begin the season, Zubac has answered the bell as one of the Los Angeles’ Clippers lead offensive options (alongside Norman Powell, who also deserves a shoutout). He’s averaging career-highs in points per game (17.1), usage rate (21.3 percent) and assist rate (12.7 percent), all while maintaining above-average efficiency (57.9 percent true shooting).
He’s taking a career-high 5.8 mid-range attempts per game, burning defenders with floaters as a release valve and hook shots in the post. Zubac’s passing diet is as diverse as ever, finding teammates from the block, on the short roll and as a dribble handoff initiator atop the key.
He deserves some credit for helping anchor the Clippers’ top-five defense (108.8 defensive rating). Opposing offenses are converting just 59.5 percent of their shots at the rim against Los Angeles, partly due to Zubac’s paint defense. Commanding more scoring responsibility, improving as a passer and maintaining defensive impact makes Zubac a worthy Most Improved Player contender at this point in the season.
Honorable Mentions: Derrick White, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Wiggins, Cam Thomas, LaMelo Ball and Jeremy Sochan
