Victor Wembanyama is the favorite to win NBA Most Improved Player.
Last year’s Most Improved Player Award winner was Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Josh Giddey occupies the top contender spot for Most Improved Player.
The NBA regular season is back! Opening night for the NBA is Tuesday night, and it’ll be the first chance for some of the NBA’s top talent to show off how much they’ve improved this past offseason. As such, the race for Most Improved Player is officially on! At WSN, we’re locked in on the race for Most Improved Player, offering the latest odds, predictions, and analyses for the 2024-25 NBA season!
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The race for Most Improved Player begins on the NBA’s Tuesday opening night! After a stellar rookie campaign, Victor Wembanyama is the favorite to win Most Improved in 2025. However, Wemby will be challenged by a trio of exciting young prospects: Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Jonathan Kuminga! Given such a dynamic race, dark horses like Immanuel Quickley can’t be left out of the conversation.
Appearing in just two preseason games, Victor Wembanyama has been managed carefully by the San Antonio Spurs after a stellar Olympic performance. He enters the season with high expectations, and the addition of veteran point guard Chris Paul projects to bolster his Wembanyama’s production. Already a singular two-way threat, Wembanyama is expected to take another jump in what many expect to be a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
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Who Is the Favorite to Win NBA Most Improved Player?
Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs (+650) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2023-24
SAS
20
71
29.7
21.4
10.6
3.9
1.2
3.6
7.8/.465
1.8/.325
Many expect Victor Wembayama, last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, to improve his stellar production in his sophomore season. His San Antonio Spurs aren't competing for the postseason, but if his rookie campaign suggests anything, he has a bright future ahead. Count on Wembanyama to improve his numbers with Chris Paul orchestrating the offense. Already an all-around threat, Wembanyama's year of experience and a summer of intense Olympic basketball bodes well for his production this coming season.
Who Are the Contenders to Win NBA Most Improved Player?
Josh Giddey - Chicago Bulls (+1100) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2023-24
OKC
21
80
25.1
12.3
6.4
4.8
0.6
0.6
5.0/.475
1.0/.337
Josh Giddey is among a small group of players coming off a summer schedule at the Paris Olympics. He looked like a star playing for the Boomers and projects to translate that success into a contract year. Giddey is a versatile offensive option that slots right into the absence left by DeMar DeRozan as a frontcourt playmaker. With a dynamic backcourt supporting him, expect Giddey to produce during his most significant career opportunity. With a max extension on the cards this offseason, you can be certain Giddey will put his best foot forward this season.
Jalen Williams - Oklahoma City Thunder (+1100) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2023-24
OKC
23
71
31.3
19.0
3.9
4.5
1.1
0.6
7.5/.540
1.4/.427
After a surprising season where the Thunder captured the first seed in the West, their front office reinforced the lineup with experienced players in necessary positions to support their young talent. Their star young talent is Jalen Williams, the team’s second-leading scorer from last season. A scoring ace, Williams averaged 14.5 points on 54.8% shooting in just 16.7 minutes per game through the preseason. With plenty of room to grow and an expectation that he’ll be able to spell Gilgeous-Alexander through the regular season, Williams’ case for Most Improved Player is promising.
Jonathan Kuminga - Golden State Warriors (+1100) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2023-24
GSW
21
74
26.3
16.1
4.8
2.2
0.7
0.5
6.2/.529
0.7/.321
Jonathan Kuminga enters the regular season with a new role as the Golden State Warriors transition away from the Curry-Thompson-Green-led dynasty. Now, looking at Curry as the right-hand man in Golden State, Kuminga will need to improve on his impressive growth from last season. Playing in six Warriors preseason games, Kuminga posted 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds on a promising 54.5% from the field and 44.0% from three-point range. There’s a lot of pressure on Kuminga to perform this season, regardless of the result, he’s sure to have plenty of opportunities.
Who Is the Dark Horse to Win 2025 Most Improved Player of the Year?
Immanuel Quickley - Toronto Raptors (+2500) at FanDuel
Season
Team
Age
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
FGM / FG%
3PM / 3P%
2023-24
TOR
25
38
33.3
18.6
4.8
6.8
0.9
0.2
6.2/.422
2.8/.395
One of the stories of the summer was Immanuel Quickley signing a $175 million extension with the Toronto Raptors, a signal of their faith in him as their future point guard. That contract extension was prompted by his impressive improvement after joining the Raptors mid-season, where he more than doubled his assist numbers while averaging 18.6 points per game. Capable on and off the ball, Quickley partners perfectly with All-Star Scottie Barnes as the Raptors continue to rebuild their roster in hopes of returning to championship contention.
Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers won the 2024 Most Improved Player Award. Despite star man Joel Embiid missing significant time for the Sixers, Maxey stepped up to keep the Sixers in playoff contention while also earning his first All-Star appearance. It was the second time a member of the Philadelphia 76ers won the award.
Through his 2023-24 regular season campaign, Maxey proved himself to be one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 threes per game on 45.0% efficiency and 37.3% from three-point range. Despite Maxey’s efforts, the Sixers’ injury issues contributed to their seventh-place finish and First Round playoff exit at the hands of the New York Knicks.
Maxey was the favorite to win Most Improved Player throughout the NBA season, accumulating 51 first-place votes, 18 second-place votes, and ten third-place votes at the end of the season. His closest challenger was Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, who accumulated 305 total points to Maxey’s 319.
When Will the NBA's Most Improved Player Be Announced?
The winner of the NBA's Most Improved Player Award is expected to be announced following the conclusion of the NBA regular season and the NBA Play-In tournament. Last year's Most Improved Player Award was presented by the winner's team while also being broadcast during an episode of Inside the NBA.
Does the NBA’s Most Improved Player Receive a Prize?
The NBA’s Most Improved Player winner does not receive a prize per se. In commemorating their accomplishment, the award winner is written into NBA history as one of its most notable players. The Most Improved Player Award signals a player's growth and who to expect more from as their career progresses. They may receive specific bonuses as stipulated through negotiations in their NBA contract.
Most Improved Player FAQ
Have Any Most Improved Player Winners Become All-Stars?
There have been 20 Most Improved Player winners who have become NBA All-Stars.
Alvin Robertson, Dana Barros, Tracy McGrady, Jermaine O'Neal, Danny Granger, Kevin Love, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Ja Morant won the award and became All-Star in the same season.
Dale Ellis, Kevin Duckworth, Kevin Johnson, Gilbert Arenas, Zach Randolph, Goran Dragic, and Pascal Siakam became All-Stars in subsequent seasons after winning the award.
Boris Diaw, Kevin Love, Pascal Siakam, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only winners who became NBA Champions. And Tracy McGrady is the only Most Improved Player winner to be named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame!
Does Fan Vote Determine the NBA’s Most Valuable Player?
The NBA Most Improved Player Award is determined by a panel of sportswriters across the United States and Canada. Each panel member is allowed a first-, second-, and third-place vote worth 5, 3, and 1 point(s), respectively. The player with the highest point total wins the award.
Has an International Player Ever Won Most Improved Player?
Six international players have been named the league's Most Improved Player. They are: Lauri Markkanen (2023) - Finland, Pascal Siakam (2019) - Cameroon, Giannis Antetokounmpo (2017) - Greece, Goran Dragic (2014) - Slovenia, Hedo Turkoglu (2008) - Turkey, Boris Diaw (2006) - France, and Gheroghe Muresan (1996) - Romania.
Who Won the First NBA Most Improved Player Award?
Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs was the first-ever Most Improved Player Award winner. In his second season, Robertson averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 steals per game after playing 82 games. Robertson became the 1986 Defensive Player of the Year, a six-time All-Defensive Team member, a four-time All-Star, and a three-time steals champion.
Which NBA Player Position Has the Best Chance of Winning Most Improved Player?
Most Improved Player of the Year Award winners have been distributed relatively evenly between guards and forwards, but forwards have the slight edge all-time. Forwards have won Most Improved Player of the Year 19 times, compared to guards, who have won 14 times, and centers, who have won just five times.
Which NBA Franchises Have Produced the Most NBA Most Improved Player Winners?
The Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic have won the Most Improved Player of the Year award more than any other team in NBA history. With five winners in franchise history, the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic have provided an excellent opportunity for players to flourish. The players that have won Most Improved Player for the Indiana Pacers were: Victor Oladipo (2018), Paul George (2013), Danny Granger (2009), Jermaine O'Neal (2002), and Jalen Rose (2000). The players that have won Most Improved Player for the Orlando Magic were: Ryan Anderson (2012), Hedo Turkoglu (2008), Tracy McGrady (2001), Darrell Armstrong (1999), and Scott Skiles (1991).
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Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
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