In the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, the Most Improved Player (MIP) award often shines a spotlight on those players who make the leap from solid contributors to bona fide stars. From 2020 to 2024, the trend was clear: players like Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Ja Morant, Lauri Markkanen, and Tyrese Maxey epitomized this transition, each capturing their first All-Star nod along with the MIP honor.
But in 2025, the voters took a different path, recognizing the remarkable progress of Dyson Daniels. After being traded from New Orleans to Atlanta, Daniels transformed from a bench contributor to a key player for the Hawks, despite not making the All-Star team. His averages of 14.1 points and 4.4 assists per game, coupled with a .340 three-point percentage, marked significant growth even if it wasn’t star-level.
Fast forward to 2026, and it seems the voters might revert to their previous pattern, with several players making strong cases for the MIP award by stepping up from "very good" to "star" status.
Leading the charge is Pistons center Jalen Duren. Since becoming Detroit’s starting center in his rookie year, Duren has elevated his game, boosting his scoring from 11.8 points per game to an impressive 19.0 PPG, earning his first All-Star selection in the process. His impact on one of the league’s top teams has made him a favorite for the award.
Joining Duren in the conversation are Hawks forward Jalen Johnson and Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, both first-time All-Stars this season. Johnson, with averages of 22.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 8.1 APG, and Avdija, posting 24.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 6.7 APG, have both reached new heights. Johnson’s previous season was cut short by a shoulder injury, while Avdija ended last season on a high note with standout post-All-Star break numbers.
However, if voters decide the improvements of Johnson and Avdija aren’t significant enough compared to last year, they might look toward players like Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker or Bucks guard Ryan Rollins. These two have excelled in their first extended roles as starters, despite not being All-Stars.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has doubled his scoring to 20.3 points per game while maintaining a career-best true shooting percentage of 59.4%. His three-point shooting remains strong at 39.0%, even with increased attempts.
Meanwhile, Ryan Rollins has seen his minutes and production soar in Milwaukee. His averages have jumped to 16.8 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 4.6 RPG, with a career-high 41.2% from beyond the arc.
Impressively, the Bucks perform significantly better with Rollins on the court.
So, who stands out to you in this year’s MIP race? Are you leaning toward one of the emerging stars like Duren, Johnson, or Avdija, or do you believe the substantial strides made by non-stars like Alexander-Walker or Rollins deserve recognition? Share your thoughts and let us know your top three picks!