With over a month of NBA hoops passed by, it’s time to take another look at the league’s most improved players. We have a much more solid idea of which players are making substantial leaps and which are victims to small sample luck. As we did previously, let’s discuss the top-five players we’re tracking for the Most Improved award this season.
1) Franz Wagner
With Paolo Banchero sidelined due to injury, Franz Wagner’s ascension toward superstardom has helped the Orlando Magic remain afloat and even thrive. They’re 13-6 without Banchero and boast a top-15 offensive rating over the last two weeks (114.8). Wagner is a legitimate primary initiator, averaging 25.8 points and 6.3 assists per game on 56.2 percent true shooting since Nov. 1.
Wagner’s creation for himself and others has leveled up, winning games with tough shotmaking, driving and elite wing playmaking. He’s one of the highest usage players in the league (31 percent), placing seventh in the NBA there. Acting as a primary pick-and-roll handler, his assist rate has spiked from 18.3 percent last season to 30 percent this year.
It’s reasonable to argue Wagner’s jump in production ties to Banchero’s absence, but he’s playing like an All-NBA lock at the moment. He’s blossoming into one of the NBA’s best two-way wings, rendering him a deserving candidate atop the Most Improved ladder.
2) Jalen Williams
After a strong end to his sophomore season, Jalen Williams’ improvement track has only continued. Estimated Plus-Minus views Williams as the sixth-most impactful player in the NBA (plus-5.5). He’s leapt substantially in points per game (21.7), assist rate (25.3 percent) and usage rate (27 percent), while maintaining strong efficiency (60.1 percent true shooting).
Williams’ improvement on the defensive end is just as notable as his offensive growth. That can be tough to measure, but he is posting career-highs in block rate (2.6 percent), steal rate (3.0 percent) and Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus (plus-2.8, 99th percentile). He’s spent much of the season anchoring the Oklahoma City Thunder’s top-ranked defense in Chet Holmgren’s absence.
He already established himself as an ascending player last season but Williams is playing like a full-fledged All-Star with an All-NBA case this season. At just 23 years old, few NBA players match his two-way impact.
3) Evan Mobley
Mobley’s growth has been integral to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ strong start. His offensive progress is catching up to his defensive stardom. Mobley’s initiating offense more than ever before under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, posting career-highs in points per game (17.9) and usage rate (22.8 percent) on an excellent 61.9 percent true shooting.
He’s more comfortable than ever before handling the ball from the perimeter, winning with his speed, craft and strength. Mobley now punishes mismatches, not allowing smaller defenders to hide on him as they previously could. This improvement has especially helped unlock the potential of Mobley’s pairing with Jarrett Allen.
Though his statistical leap may not be as obvious as some others on the list, his offensive expansion, in addition to his evergreen elite defensive impact, helps make the Cavs the juggernaut they currently are.
4) Jalen Johnson
The surging Atlanta Hawks (winners of five straight!) can credit Johnson for much of their success, especially given Trae Young’s injuries. Johnson ranks fourth in the NBA in total touches per game (93.6), a massive increase from last season (69.7). Despite Johnson’s uptick in touches, scoring (20.1 points per game) and usage rate (22.6 percent), his efficiency hasn’t taken a substantial dip.
Johnson initiates offense from the perimeter at a newfound rate, weaponizing his size and passing vision to unlock easy shots for his teammates. He’s self-creating at a higher clip than last season; a career-low 67.8 percent of his shots have been assisted. Johnson’s 3-point volume (4.3 per 75 possessions) and efficiency (36 percent) are both career-highs.
Atlanta’s defense over the last two weeks ranks in the top 10, per Cleaning the Glass. Aside from Dyson Daniels — who also deserves a Most Improved mention — Johnson contributes to that success as much as any other Hawk. He’s inching closer to All-Star status on the back of his improved scoring, elite passing and defensive contributions.
5) Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson may seem like an odd inclusion, given his impressive list of career accolades to this point. He spent last season honing his offensive toolkit with live game reps and they’re paying off this year. To this point, he’s having the best all-around season of his career, scoring 21.7 points per game on a career-high 62.2 percet true shooting mark.
His game has truly evolved — Jackson is now a bruising isolation scorer, capable of creating his own shot off the dribble at an All-Star level. His 3-point shooting and defense have taken slight dips from their peak, but Jackson is a more well-rounded star now.
He may not fit the traditional criteria for the award, but I feel his progression is noteworthy. We don’t often see players make drastic stylistic changes this late into their careers. His metamorphosis into a more potent scorer will be critical for the Memphis Grizzlies’ offensive success, especially in the postseason.
Honorable Mentions: Dyson Daniels, RJ Barrett, LaMelo Ball, Ty Jerome, Christian Braun, Jaden Ivey, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, Darius Garland
