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The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, with plenty of deals shocking the entire league.
The stand-out deal saw the Philadelphia 76ers finally get rid of Ben Simmons in exchange for James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets. The deal will improve both teams and prepare them for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis found a new home in Sacramento as the Kings shipped Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield to the Indiana Pacers.
It was indeed a crazy deadline, but it's now time to focus on the race for the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year.
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Let's take a look at this week's NBA MIP power rankings and see if there are any changes in the top five.
#5 Desmond Bane
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 53; Games won - 37; Games lost - 16
Last Week: PPG - 11.3, APG - 3.0, RPG - 6.0
Overall: PPG - 17.6, APG - 2.5, RPG - 4.5
Last Week: FG% - 37.5%, 3P% - 26.7%, SPG - 1.0
Overall: FG% - 46.1%, 3P% - 41.2%, SPG - 1.1.
Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies moves down one spot in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bane averaged just 11.3 points and shot 37.5% from the field in three games last week. He started the week with two single-digit scoring performances, which is the reason for his drop.
Bane had only seven points against the Orlando Magic and followed it up with a five-point outing in the win over the LA Clippers. However, he did redeem himself with a 22-point performance in an easy victory against the Detroit Pistons last Wednesday.
#4 Anfernee Simons
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 50; Games won - 22; Games lost - 28
Last Week: PPG - 22.3, APG - 4.3, RPG - 2.0
Overall: PPG - 16.1, APG - 3.7, RPG - 2.7
Last Week: FG% - 43.9%, 3P% - 39.4%, FT% - 80.0%
Overall: FG% - 43.9%, 3P% - 39.2%, FT% - 88.8%.
Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers climbs one spot in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. He had a better week than Desmond Bane, as he averaged 22.3 points and shot 39.4% from beyond the arc.
Even though Simons and the Trail Blazers won just one game last week, it was a good victory against the LA Lakers. The 22-year-old had an amazing game, with 29 points and five assists.
In the absence of Damian Lillard due to injury and the trade of CJ McCollum, Simons is expected to produce more towards the end of the season.
#3 Miles Bridges
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 55; Games won - 27; Games lost - 28
Last Week: PPG - 21.8, APG - 4.5, RPG - 5.0
Overall: PPG - 19.9, APG - 3.5, RPG - 7.1
Last Week: FG% - 49.2%, 3P% - 26.9%, FT% - 90.0%
Overall: FG% - 48.8%, 3P% - 31.2%, FT% - 79.6%
Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets appears to be out of his slump as he averaged 21.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists in three games last week. Bridges struggled as the Hornets stumbled, but it's great to see him back to his best, especially with Gordon Hayward out indefinitely.
Despite Bridges' great week last week, it wasn't enough to regain second spot in this week's NBA Most Improved power rankings. Nevertheless, he will get more touches with Hayward on the shelf once again. The Hornets also need Bridges to be at his best since they have only won three games in their last 10.
#2 Dejounte Murray
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 1; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 49; Games won - 20; Games lost - 29
Last Week: PPG - 24.0, APG - 12.0, RPG - 8.0
Overall: PPG - 19.8, APG - 9.3, RPG - 8.4
Last Week: FG% - 51.4%, 3P% - 33.3%, SPG - 2.0
Overall: FG% - 45.7%, 3P% - 31.7, SPG - 2.1.
Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs remains in second place in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Murray continues to prove why deserved to be an All-Star this season, averaging 24.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 12 assists last week.
He capped off his week with another triple-double in the win over the Atlanta Hawks. Murray finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and four steals against the Hawks to become the Spurs' all-time leader in triple-doubles with 15. The 25-year-old surpassed the great David Robinson to break the record.
#1 Ja Morant
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 44; Games won - 28; Games lost - 16
Last Week: PPG - 28.7, APG - 6.0, RPG - 5.3
Overall: PPG - 26.4, APG - 6.8, RPG - 5.9
Last Week: FG% - 57.9%, 3P% - 30.8%, FT% - 72.7%
Overall: FG% - 49.2%, 3P% - 34.0%, FT% - 75.7%
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies is still atop this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Morant remained unstoppable as he guided the Grizzlies to a 3-0 week. He averaged 28.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists last week, while shooting a whopping 57.9% from the field.
Morant, who will start the All-Star Game as part of Team Durant, has become the unquestioned breakout superstar of the season. If he remains healthy towards the end of the season, it would be hard not to give the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year Award to the 22-year-old.
