It’s time for our first Most Improved Player ladder of the new calendar year. We’re nearing the All-Star Break and learning more about which players will and won’t qualify for end-of-season awards due to missing the 65-game minimum (sorry to Franz Wagner). As we did previously, let’s discuss our top five most improved players of the season.
1) Evan Mobley
As the Cavaliers continue to dominate opponents, Evan Mobley’s growth appears clearer than ever. He’s rocketed up to 13th in Estimated Plus-Minus (plus-4.6) after finishing 75th last year. Mobley is taking on more offensive responsibility, up to a 22.8 percent usage rate.
His increase in offensive load corresponds with a jump in efficiency and volume scoring. He’s scoring 18.9 points per game on an elite 66.3 percent true shooting clip (94th percentile). The 3-point shot is becoming a weapon and he’s up to 42.9 percent on over double the volume of 2023-24.
Smaller defenders can no longer hide on Mobley, who bludgeons mismatches as 7-footers should. He’s improved all facets of his game while remaining a top-level defensive player. He’ll make his first All-Star team soon and should make his first All-NBA Team as well at this rate.
2) Tyler Herro
It’s uncommon for players in their sixth NBA season to evolve as drastically as Tyler Herro has. After spending most of his career as a solid but flawed complementary piece, he’s blossoming into a true offensive star. Herro’s averaging career-highs this season in points (24), assists (5.1) and true shooting (62.8 percent). He sports a sparkling plus-4.1 Offensive EPM, the 10th-highest mark in the entire NBA.
This drastic progression goes beyond a shooting hot streak. Herro overhauled his offensive process, prioritizing threes and layups more than ever. He attempts a career-high 10.2 threes per 75 possessions at a 40.2 percent clip and has cut down his midrange frequency. Upgraded driving helps Herro flourish as a passer, and he sees the game better than ever before.
The turmoil surrounding the Miami Heat’s season so far shouldn’t distract us from Herro’s rapid growth. He’ll make a serious push for his first All-Star team this season and deservedly so.
3) Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has been an established star for quite some time, but he’s taken his game to new heights this season. His inclusion on this list results less from statistical progression, but rather a major shift in playstyle. Once an off-ball shooting specialist, Jackson Jr. has become a full-fledged driving creator.
Ranking eighth in the NBA in EPM (plus-4.8), Jackson Jr.’s offensive growth is vaulting him toward true superstardom. He’s driving with power more than ever and has expanded his intermediate scoring game significantly. When the game slows down, Jackson Jr. leans on his midrange arsenal — he’s shooting a burning hot 52.7 percent on 8.6 non-rim 2-pointers per game.
While his defensive impact sits a smidge below his Defensive Player of the Year peak, he’s still one of the league’s very best on that end. His two-way play has fueled an elite Memphis Grizzlies team this season and Jackson Jr. warrants as much credit as anyone.
4) Cade Cunningham
Cunningham forced the Detroit Pistons into basketball relevancy this season. They’re up to two games above .500 on the back of Cunningham’s offensive play. He’s a potent offensive engine, averaging 24.5 points on 55.9 percent true shooting while tossing 9.4 assists per game, the third-highest mark in the NBA.
He’s drilling pull-up threes with more confidence than ever, up to 38.2 percent from deep on a heavy off-dribble diet. Slowing down in the intermediate has helped him reduce turnovers and carve space for his floaters and hook shots. Those improvements have translated to winning impact; Cunningham is 25th in EPM (plus-3.3) after finishing 192nd last season.
He defends at the highest level of his career, thriving as a versatile perimeter stopper and weakside rim protector. It would be easy to argue for Cunningham even higher on this list, but I already thought highly of his game last season in a much worse situation. Regardless, he’s locking himself in as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars.
5) Victor Wembanyama
While some might argue Victor Wembanyama’s inclusion here goes against the “spirit” of the Most Improved Player award, I’d argue few players have progressed like him. The value and difficulty of the leap from All-Star level impact to MVP impact can’t be overstated. Wembanyama’s done just that. Just 33 games into his second season, he’s playing like a top-five player in the Association.
Most of the statistical improvement has come on the offensive end. He’s averaging 27.4 points and 4.1 assists per game on a strong 60.6 percent true shooting clip, up from 56.9 percent last season. Though his audacious 3-point shooting garners much of the spotlight, he’s an improved interior scorer this year. He bruises down low with greater physicality and is weaponizing his size more effectively, converting an elite 73.2 percent of his shots within five feet.
It would be somewhat shocking if he didn’t win Defensive Player of the Year this season. He’s leveled up on that end as well, defending with more patience and precision. If Wembanyama continues this trajectory, he could nab himself this award as his primary offensive toolkit continues to expand.
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Williams, Jalen Johnson, Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Christian Braun, Payton Pritchard, Cam Johnson
All stats are accurate before games played on Jan. 15.
