The Detroit Pistons are on the verge of a historic moment, with center Jalen Duren making a strong case for the NBA Most Improved Player award. Since the award's inception in 1985-86, no Piston has ever claimed it. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks have seen their players earn this accolade twice, most recently with guard Dyson Daniels in the 2024-25 season.
Now, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, in his first year with the Hawks, is vying to follow in Daniels' footsteps. However, with only nine games left in the season, he faces a tough challenge in surpassing Duren, who has been nothing short of spectacular.
Duren, originally drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and then traded to Detroit, has evolved into a key player for the Pistons. After a promising rookie season, he settled into the starting lineup in 2023-24 and has been thriving ever since. This season, Duren has elevated his game, averaging 19.3 points and improving his free-throw shooting to 74.1%.
Alexander-Walker, on the other hand, has significantly boosted his performance with the Hawks. After limited starts with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, he's now a staple in Atlanta's lineup, enhancing his stats across the board. Despite this, sportsbooks still favor Duren for the award, with odds ranging from -120 to -130, while Alexander-Walker trails with odds between +130 and +150.
It's essentially a two-man race, with Portland's Deni Avdija as a distant third. Historically, guards have dominated this award, but a true center like Duren winning would be a rare feat, last accomplished by Isaac Austin in 1996-97.
Duren's recent performances bolster his candidacy, with seven consecutive games scoring 20 or more points and ranking fourth in the league with 38 double-doubles. His impact is further highlighted by the Pistons' impressive 53-20 record, leading the Eastern Conference.
Alexander-Walker has also been impressive, scoring 20 or more points in nine of his last 11 games. Yet, with Duren's consistent excellence and Detroit's success, he remains the frontrunner for Most Improved Player. For those looking to place a wager, backing Duren seems like the smart choice.