The NBA’s Most Improved Player (MIP) award is one of the toughest to predict heading into a new season. The award is designed to recognize the player who makes the biggest leap from one season to the next, often surprising even the most dedicated fans. While there’s no shortage of contenders for the 2024-25 season, a few players stand out, with Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder leading the pack.
The Top Contenders for MIP 2024-25:
- Jalen Williams – Oklahoma City ThunderJalen Williams is emerging as the top candidate for the MIP award. Coming off a season where he averaged 19.1 points per game and shot an impressive 42.7% from three-point range, Williams finished fourth in last year’s MIP voting. This season, with Josh Giddey now in Chicago, Williams’ role in the Thunder offence will expand. He’ll be tasked with more playmaking alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and if the Thunder fulfil their potential as one of the best regular-season teams in the West, Williams could be rewarded for his increased responsibilities and impact.
- Evan Mobley – Cleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are on the brink of becoming true contenders in the Eastern Conference, and their rise largely hinges on Evan Mobley’s offensive development. Already a standout defender, if Mobley can take a significant leap in his scoring ability, the Cavaliers could be a real threat, and Mobley would be a prime candidate for MIP.
- Jonathan Kuminga – Golden State WarriorsThe Warriors are looking for a secondary shot creator to complement Steph Curry, and Jonathan Kuminga could be the answer. If Kuminga steps into this role and excels, especially with his athleticism and improved offensive game, he could be in serious contention for the MIP award.
Dark Horse Candidates to Watch:
Other players worth watching include Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, Cade Cunningham from the Detroit Pistons, and Josh Giddey, now leading the Bulls as their primary shot creator. Each of these players has the potential to make a significant leap this season.
Best Bet: Tyrese Haliburton to Lead NBA in Assists
If you’re looking for a solid bet among improving players, consider Tyrese Haliburton to lead the NBA in assists per game at +175 odds. Haliburton dominated the assists leaderboard last season, averaging 10.9 assists per game—an entire assist more than Luka Dončić, who was second.
Surrounded by elite three-point shooters like Aaron Nesmith (41.9%) and Pascal Siakam (38.6%), Haliburton’s opportunities to rack up dimes should only increase. With the Pacers adding depth and continuing to build their two-man game around Haliburton, don’t be surprised if he averages 12 or more assists per game this season, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in over 20 years.
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