The NBA Most Improved Player race has shifted throughout the season, with significant movement in our rankings from month to month.
As Kirk Goldsberry noted on a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show, the depth of this year’s field almost makes a case for a full Most Improved Team rather than a single award.
There are more than 15 players who have legitimate cases to receive votes. Narrowing that group down to a top five was no easy task.
1. Jalen Duren
Jalen Duren’s improvement goes beyond the jump to 19.2 points per game, up from a previous career-high of 13.8. It’s not driven by a spike in rebounding or assists, nor by the addition of a three-point shot.
Instead, Duren has expanded his offensive game in more subtle ways. He’s taking and converting more mid-range looks, has significantly cut down his turnovers, and continues to show strong instincts as a passer. He uses that vision effectively in tight spaces, creating room inside and making the right read when help arrives.
Detroit’s success with Duren on the floor isn’t solely tied to his minutes alongside Cade Cunningham. The Pistons are +10.5 per 100 possessions when Duren plays without Cunningham, with the offense holding steady even in those stretches.
2. Neemias Queta
It was a mistake to leave Neemias Queta off earlier versions of these rankings. Boston’s starting center has been a revelation following the offseason departures of Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis.
Across his first three NBA seasons, Queta logged just 482 total minutes. He emerged as a useful bench option for Boston last year, then nearly doubled that workload. This season, he’s taken another leap, starting 66 games and averaging 8.3 rebounds per contest.
The impact shows up clearly on the defensive end. Only 21 players rate higher in estimated defensive plus-minus, and he’s tied with Amen Thompson for 15th in defensive win shares.
3. Jalen Johnson
Jalen Johnson’s emergence as Atlanta’s primary offensive engine following the departure of Trae Young has put him firmly in the MIP conversation. Whether the bulk of that improvement came this season or began last year is open for debate, but the overall jump is undeniable.
The production backs it up. Johnson has made meaningful gains across the board, including pushing his free throw rate to 19% above league average. There is still room for growth in his overall scoring efficiency, but his ability to scale his playmaking without losing control stands out, elevating his assist rate from 20.5% to 34.5% while keeping turnovers in check.
4. Deni Avdija
An early favorite for this award, Deni Avdija has lost some momentum down the stretch. Since Jan. 11, he’s appeared in just 16 games, averaging 19.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists, but that stretch also reflects a noticeable dip in his scoring impact.
His free throw rate has declined, and his three-point shot has cooled off significantly. Avdija remains a much improved player compared to last season, but the overall impact has leveled off. Portland is -1.3 per 100 possessions with him on the floor, driven in large part by defensive struggles.
That isn’t solely on Avdija, but for a team hovering around the middle of the pack, it’s notable that the on-court results haven’t clearly improved with their top option leading the way.
5. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Like Johnson, there would be no complaints if Nickeil Alexander-Walker took home this award. The leap from a single-digit scorer (he hadn’t averaged double figures since 2021-22) to 20.3 points per game is one of the more difficult leaps to make in the NBA.
His value to Atlanta has also gone somewhat under the radar. The Hawks are -3.3 per 100 possessions with Dyson Daniels and Johnson on the floor without him, but +1.8 in the 325 minutes where Alexander-Walker has played without either. For the season, Atlanta is +2.5 in his minutes overall.
A high-volume, efficient perimeter shooter who can create his own offense and contribute defensively, Alexander-Walker has developed into a highly impactful two-way player.
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