Who Are the Top Candidates for the NBA Most Improved Player Award This Season?

2025-11-15 14:00

Watching the NBA this season has been like witnessing a masterclass in player development, and I can't help but get excited about the Most Improved Player race. It reminds me of that intense volleyball scenario from the Philippines vs. Thailand match where a superior set ratio broke the tie despite identical win-loss records. That's exactly what we're seeing here - several players have leveled up dramatically, but only a few will separate themselves through those subtle, game-changing improvements. Let me walk you through my top candidates, and I'll share why this award might just be the most compelling storyline of the regular season.

First up, I've got to talk about Jalen Williams from the Oklahoma City Thunder. This guy has transformed from a promising rookie into an absolute force, and I've been tracking his progress since his college days at Santa Clara. Last season he averaged 14.1 points, but this year he's skyrocketed to 19.2 points per game while maintaining elite efficiency. What blows my mind isn't just the scoring jump - it's how he's doing it. His mid-range game has become virtually unguardable, and he's developed this incredible ability to read defenses that you usually only see from decade-long veterans. I watched him dismantle the Timberwolves last month, dropping 30 points while shooting 12-of-18 from the field, and what struck me was his poise. He wasn't forcing anything, just taking what the defense gave him and making them pay every single time. The Thunder's surprising success this season isn't just about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Williams has emerged as that crucial secondary creator who can take over games when needed.

Then there's Coby White, who's having what I'd call a career renaissance in Chicago. After the Bulls lost Lonzo Ball to injury, many people wrote them off, but White has stepped up in ways nobody anticipated. His scoring has jumped from 9.7 to 18.9 points per game, but the real story is his playmaking transformation. He's nearly doubled his assists from 2.8 to 5.1 per game while cutting down turnovers, which is the kind of growth that coaches dream about. I remember watching him earlier this season against Milwaukee, where he orchestrated the offense with the confidence of a seasoned floor general, making smart reads and timely passes that we simply never saw from him before. His three-point shooting has been lights out at 39.7% on high volume, and what's remarkable is he's doing this while taking on tougher defensive assignments. The Bulls were supposed to be sellers at the trade deadline, but White's emergence has kept them in playoff contention, and honestly, I think he's been their most valuable player this season.

Scottie Barnes in Toronto represents another fascinating case study in player development. After winning Rookie of the Year, he seemed to plateau somewhat last season, but this year he's exploded into a legitimate All-Star. His numbers have jumped across the board - from 15.3 to 20.1 points, 6.6 to 8.3 rebounds, and 4.8 to 6.1 assists per game. What's impressed me most is how he's embraced the leadership role after the Pascal Siakam trade, becoming the focal point of the Raptors' offense while improving his defensive versatility. I caught their game against Dallas last week, and Barnes was everywhere - guarding multiple positions, making crucial stops, and creating offense both for himself and his teammates. His three-point shooting has improved to 34.5%, which might not sound spectacular until you consider he was at 28% last season. That kind of tangible improvement in a specific skill while maintaining excellence everywhere else is exactly what the MIP award should recognize.

Now, here's where I might get a bit controversial - I think Alperen Sengun deserves serious consideration despite Houston's inconsistent season. The Turkish big man has transformed from a intriguing prospect into a legitimate offensive hub, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 53.7% from the field. Those numbers put him in rarefied air - we're talking Jokic-like production from a 21-year-old. I've been particularly fascinated by his passing development; his court vision and creativity in the post remind me of a young Arvydas Sabonis. In their recent upset win over Denver, Sengun outplayed the reigning MVP, scoring 27 points and dishing out 7 assists while making several crucial plays down the stretch. His defensive improvement has been noticeable too, though he still has work to do on that end. Some might argue his team's record hurts his case, but I believe individual growth should be the primary consideration, and Sengun's leap has been astronomical.

The beauty of this year's MIP race is how each candidate represents a different path to improvement. Williams refined his existing skills to become more efficient, White reinvented himself as a playmaker, Barnes expanded his overall game to become a franchise cornerstone, and Sengun developed into an offensive centerpiece. It's like that volleyball scenario I mentioned earlier - they all have compelling cases, but someone will ultimately separate themselves through those nuanced improvements that might not show up in basic statistics. Personally, I'm leaning toward Jalen Williams because his growth has been so organic and crucial to his team's success, but I wouldn't be surprised if any of these players take home the hardware. What makes this particularly exciting is that we're watching these players transform before our eyes, and honestly, tracking their development has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this NBA season.