NBA Most Improved Player (MIP) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 6 ft. Jalen Williams

The NBA Most Improved Player (MIP) rankings are back this week with a new number one. Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers was atop in the past two weeks, while Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks entered the top five. Christian Braun of the Denver Nuggets was displaced, though he remains a threat to re-enter.

Dyson Daniels, Ivica Zubac, RJ Barrett, Victor Wembanyama and Cade Cunningham are knocking on the door. Norman Powell and Gradey Dick are set to return from injuries, so they'll be some of the names to watch out for in Week 7 of the season.

With that out of the way, let's look at the Most Improved Player rankings after Week 6 brought to you by Sportskeeda.

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NBA Most Improved Player (MIP) Rankings - Week 6

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#5 - Jalen Johnson | Forward | Atlanta Hawks

Jalen Johnson | Forward | Atlanta Hawks (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: NR
• Average (Week 6) - 22.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 20.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.2 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 16.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Jalen Johnson breaks into the top five of the Most Improved Player rankings after two impressive performances in Week 6. Johnson was instrumental in the Atlanta Hawks' back-to-back wins over the league-best Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Duke product has elevated his game as he is no longer just a scorer. He's been a solid rebounder this season, while his vision and playmaking are an underrated part of his arsenal.

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#4 - LaMelo Ball | Guard | Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball | Guard | Charlotte Hornets (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: No. 4
• Average (Week 6) - 38.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 7.0 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 31.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 23.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG

LaMelo Ball missed two games last week but still produced like an All-Star. Ball averaged 38.0 points per game and had a 44-point performance against the Orlando Magic at the start of Week 6.

The one-time All-Star didn't move up in the Most Improved Player rankings because of a left calf strain. He's set to miss at least two weeks and will likely not make the list for Week 7.

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#3 - Jalen Williams | Forward | OKC Thunder

Jalen Williams | Forward | OKC Thunder (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: No. 3
• Average (Week 6) - 20.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 21.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Jalen Williams of the OKC Thunder is a solid and underrated player in the NBA. Williams continued to be the engine that kept the Thunder running. He's no longer playing center but is still doing almost everything for the team.

He is a legit second option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while being a defender who can guard all five positions. These are two reasons he's a favorite to win the Most Improved Player award this season.

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#2 - Evan Mobley | Forward | Cleveland Cavaliers

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

• Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
• Average (Week 6) - 18.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 2.0 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 17.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 15.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.4 BPG

Evan Mobley slid down to the second spot in this week's Most Improved Player rankings. Mobley had a stinker against the Boston Celtics in a game that should have stamped his place among the best players in the league.

The Cleveland Cavaliers losing back-to-back games to the Atlanta Hawks didn't help his cause. Nevertheless, Mobley will remain in the top five if his numbers don't decline.

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#1 - Franz Wagner | Forward | Orlando Magic

Franz Wagner | Forward | Orlando Magic (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: No. 2
• Average (Week 6) - 22.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 7.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG
• Average (This Season) - 23.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG
• Average (Last Season) - 19.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Franz Wagner is the new number one in the Most Improved Player rankings. Wagner has led the Orlando Magic in a 4-0 week despite Paolo Banchero's continued absence due to injury.

The German sensation has been phenomenal for the Magic, doing it all from scoring to playmaking, even his defense has improved. The only question for Wagner is if he can sustain the same production once Banchero returns, possibly near Christmas.