NBA Most Improved Player (MIP) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 3 ft. Evan Mobley

The race for the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year is heating up with so many candidates to choose from. Chet Holmgren topped last week's Sportskeeda's MIP Rankings, but he's about to fall off the list due to a hip injury that will sideline him for at least eight to 10 weeks.

Evan Mobley has been vital for the Cleveland Cavaliers' unbeaten start to the season and will potentially be a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year as well. There are other options, such as Tre Mann, Gradey Dick, and Jalen Green from last week that didn't make it in Week 3.

Bilal Coulibaly, Austin Reaves, and Bennedick Mathurin can also be included among the season's Most Improved Players. Even former All-Star LaMelo Ball could be in the running if voters want to reward him for taking the next step to stardom.

Nevertheless, let's look at this week's MIP Rankings.

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NBA Most Improved Player (MIP) Rankings - Week 3

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#5 - Chet Holmgren | Center | OKC Thunder

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

• Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
• Average (Week 3) - 14.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0.0 SPG 1.5 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 16.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.8 SPG 2.6 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.6 SPG 2.3 BPG

Chet Holmgren dropped fifth in this week's Most Improved Player rankings. Holmgren had another solid four-game week for the OKC Thunder, but they went 2-2. He's also about to fall off the list since he'll miss eight to 10 weeks with a hip injury.

Due to the NBA's new rule on player awards, Holmgren will likely miss the 65-game minimum to qualify. He could have been one of the favorites if he hadn't suffered a fractured hip against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

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#4 - Christian Braun | Guard | Denver Nuggets

Christian Braun | Guard | Denver Nuggets (Credits: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: NR
• Average (Week 3) - 19.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.8 SPG 0.5 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 16.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.9 SPG 0.9 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 7.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.5 SPG 0.4 BPG

Many were critical of the Denver Nuggets when they let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leave in free agency. The Nuggets trusted Christian Braun to make the leap this season, which has paid off for the 2023 NBA champions.

Braun has excelled on both ends of the floor, especially on offense, as a spot-up shooter and slasher. He might not be as good as KCP defensively, but he can attack the basket and create more opportunities for the Nuggets. Christian Braun will be a staple in the Most Improved Player rankings if he keeps it up.

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#3 - Payton Pritchard | Guard | Boston Celtics

Payton Pritchard | Guard | Boston Celtics (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: NR
• Average (Week 3) - 18.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.5 SPG 0.0 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 16.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.0 SPG 0.0 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 9.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.5 SPG 0.1 BPG

With Tre Mann playing inconsistently for the Charlotte Hornets, Payton Pritchard has taken his place in the Most Improved Player rankings. Pritchard has turned into the Boston Celtics' Sixth Man of the Year and a legitimate MIP candidate.

The Oregon product is having a career year, and it seems like it will be a sustainable campaign for him. The Celtics need him to continue doing what he's doing, especially with their lack of depth.

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#2 - Norman Powell | Guard | LA Clippers

Norman Powell | Guard | LA Clippers (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: NR
• Average (Week 3) - 26.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG 0.3 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 25.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG 0.3 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 13.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG 0.3 BPG

The record for the oldest player to win Most Improved Player of the Year is held Darrell Armstrong (30 years, 1998 – 99 season). Norman Powell has a chance to break the record at age 31 with how he has been playing for the LA Clippers this season.

Powell was inserted into the starting lineup due to Kawhi Leonard's absence and has repaid coach Ty Lue by putting up career numbers. He has a chance to win the award if he remains a starter, which is highly likely given Leonard has no timetable for a return.

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#1 - Evan Mobley | Forward | Cleveland Cavaliers

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

• Last Week's Ranking: No. 5
• Average (Week 3) - 19.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.3 SPG 2.3 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 18.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG 1.8 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 15.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.9 SPG 1.4 BPG

Evan Mobley moves atop the Most Improved Player rankings after Week 3. Mobley is one of the main reasons the Cleveland Cavaliers are 11-0 to start the season. He's not just improved offensively but also among the early favorites for the DPOY award.

Given the way the Cavs are playing, Mobley is likely to earn his first All-Star nod this season. The last five winners of the Most Improved Player of the Year award were named an All-Star for the first time the same season they took home the accolade.