NBA Most Improved Player (MIP) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 1 ft. Austin Reaves

The NBA began last week and there are already plenty of candidates to win the Most Improved Player award this season. Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers won it last season after turning into an All-Star alongside Joel Embiid. Maxey had a breakout campaign that meant the Sixers found a new foundation for the team.

According to the odds before the season started, Jalen Williams of the OKC Thunder, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers are the three heavy favorites to win the MIP award this season.

Other prominent names on the list include Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets, Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic and Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls.

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NBA Most Improved Player (MIP) Rankings - Week 1

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#5 - Tre Mann | Guard | Charlotte Hornets

Tre Mann | Guard | Charlotte Hornets (Photo: IMAGN)

The Charlotte Hornets began their season with an impressive win over the Houston Rockets. However, the Hornets lost their next two games against the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat. One of the team's best players in the first three games is backup point guard, Tre Mann.

Mann is the primary player off the bench, relieving LaMelo Ball and replacing Seth Curry. He's averaging 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists while making 2.7 3s per game. If he's not in the running for Most Improved Player, he'll be in the Sixth Man of the Year race.

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#4 - Evan Mobley | Forward | Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley | Forward | Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo: IMAGN)

Evan Mobley has the potential to be one of the best players in the NBA and is even one of the favorites to win the Most Improved Player award this season. Mobley regressed last season, but that was mainly due to injuries and playing alongside a fellow big man, Jarrett Allen.

Mobley has been fantastic for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first three games, averaging 18.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.3 blocks. If he can keep up the production, he'll remain one of the favorites to win the MIP award once the season concludes.

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#3 - Cade Cunningham | Guard | Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham | Guard | Detroit Pistons (Photo: IMAGN)

The Detroit Pistons were the worst team in the NBA last season, but Cade Cunningham did post good numbers. Cunningham, like Evan Mobley, is one of the favorites to win the Most Improved Player award this season. He also has the potential to be an All-Star this season as long as the Pistons can get more wins.

Cunningham is averaging 27.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. He's shooting an impressive 47.8% although he averaging 6.0 turnovers, which is something that needs to go down. The Pistons are 0-3 to start the campaign as well.

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#2 - Austin Reaves | Guard | LA Lakers

Austin Reaves | Guard | LA Lakers (Photo: IMAGN)

Austin Reaves might have reached his ceiling for the LA Lakers last season, but coach JJ Redick could turn him into an All-Star. Reaves is clearly the team's third-best player behind Anthony Davis and LeBron James. He's averaging a career-best 18.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.3 steals after three games.

Reaves is also shooting an efficient 55.3%, so he's been very important to the Lakers' offense. He has to sustain his production and possibly need to average more if he wants to be in the Most Improved Player conversation for the entire season.

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#1 - Chet Holmgren | Center | OKC Thunder

Chet Holmgren | Center | OKC Thunder (Photo: IMAGN)

The betting odds favored an OKC Thunder player to win the Most Improved Player of the Year. It was Jalen Williams, but after a 3-0 start to the season, Chet Holmgren might be that player. Holmgren has been a beast for the Thunder, averaging 23.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 4.0 blocks.

Holmgren was vital to the Thunder's success last season, but it seems like he's going to be even more important this campaign. His defense will always be there because of his length, but his offense already showed signs of improvement in the first three games.