Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Deni Avdija, and Jalen Duren headline this year’s race after making significant jumps in production, role, and overall impact.
At the same time, players like Jalen Johnson and Ryan Rollins were consistently part of the MIP conversation throughout the season and deserve recognition for their development.
The finalists
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta Hawks)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has made one of the most remarkable leaps in recent memory. Previously known for his defensive presence and bench role in Minnesota, he has transformed into a full-time starter and offensive centrepiece in Atlanta.
His scoring jumped from 9.4 to 20.8 points per game - making him the first player since 2014 to increase his scoring by over 10 points per game, and marking the third-largest jump in the past 25 years. What makes it even more impressive is that his efficiency improved alongside his increased volume.
After starting just 68 games across his first six seasons, Alexander-Walker started 71 games this year alone, solidifying his role as a core piece. He’s also been a key factor in Atlanta’s surge, as the Hawks emerged as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference after the All-Star break.
Notably, the Atlanta Hawks saw Dyson Daniels take home this award last season - putting Alexander-Walker in position to potentially make it back-to-back winners for the franchise.
Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers)
Deni Avdija’s breakout season has been years in the making. After being traded from the Washington Wizards - where he was often tasked with doing the 'dirty work' - he finally got the opportunity to expand his offensive role in Portland.
With Damian Lillard sidelined for stretches, Avdija stepped up as a primary option. His scoring jumped from 16.9 to 24.2 points per game, driven by a clear increase in responsibility and usage.
A big part of his growth has been his ability to attack the rim - consistently driving aggressively and putting pressure on defences. That approach led to more efficient scoring opportunities and opened up the offence overall.
It also translated into winning moments, most notably when he delivered a game-winner against the Phoenix Suns, helping push Portland into the playoffs.
His leap didn’t go unnoticed, earning him his first All-Star selection and firmly placing him among this year’s finalists.
Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
Jalen Duren’s development has been one of the brighter stories for the Detroit Pistons this season.
Still early in his career, Duren made a clear jump in production, particularly in scoring and offensive involvement. His scoring increased from 11.8 to 19.5 points per game, reflecting both a larger role and growing confidence.
He remains highly efficient around the rim and continues to be a strong presence in the paint, using his physicality to finish plays and control the interior. His case may be more about steady growth than a sudden breakout, but the progression is undeniable.
Just outside the final three
Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
Jalen Johnson has emerged as a central piece of Atlanta’s offence. After dealing with injuries last season, he stepped into a significantly larger role - especially following the departure of Trae Young - and at times looked like the engine of the team.
His all-around production, including a standout 31-point, 8-rebound, 14-assist, 7-steal performance against the Utah Jazz, showed just how impactful he can be on both ends of the floor.
Ryan Rollins (Milwaukee Bucks)
Ryan Rollins’ path to this point hasn’t been conventional, but his improvement is real. After working his way up from a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, he carved out a consistent role and delivered a noticeable jump in scoring.
While his case may not be as strong as the finalists statistically, his development and increased responsibility kept him firmly in the conversation.
Who should win?
The 2025/26 Most Improved Player race highlights different types of growth - from expanded roles to full transformations.
Duren represents steady development. Avdija turned opportunity into consistent production. But if the award is about the biggest leap, Alexander-Walker may have the edge.
Going from a defensive role player to a 20-point-per-game scorer while improving efficiency is exactly the kind of jump this award is meant to recognise - and one that’s hard to overlook.
