End of Year Awards Primer - Most Improved Player

[emplep7]

So with the career file still being worked on and it being more difficult for GMs to review what players actually did improve the most, I wanted to put something out here for the list of MIP candidates for the 2025 season or as some might call it the list of players who benefited the most from the engine switch. Enjoy and feel free to add anything I missed in this article.

Kevin Knox
2025 Stats: 35.2 mpg, 22.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.4 spg, 47% FG
2024 Stats: 15.5 mpg, 11.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.8 spg, 52% FG

Notes: Knox is a player that has always had a scoring knack and finally got the opportunity to showcase it in OKC. His numbers might just be an overall improvement due to more playing time, but a lot of players wouldnt be able to keep up that production as they got tired or became the primary option. Knox proved to the league this year that he is that go to guy.

Miles Bridges
2025 Stats: 30.0 mpg, 20.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.0 bpg, 48% FG, 43% 3PT
2024 Stats: 24.5 mpg, 9.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.3 bpg, 48% FG, 42% 3PT

Notes: Bridges had a ridiculous transition and maybe a lot of this can be attributed to his 2nd year bump, but he was always perfectly built for this engine. His blocks magically went down for the year, but his numbers across the board went up and he became one of the most dynamic scorers in the league.

Daniel Hamilton
2025 Stats: 33.9 mpg, 20.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 46% FG
2024 Stats: 29.7 mpg, 12.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 5.2 apg, 41% FG

Notes: Another player who must be thrilled with the engine change, Hamilton saw major increases in his scoring production in addition to his efficiency. He became the go to player for the Jazz when he was the third fiddle at best in previous seasons. He should continue to see this role grow with Kyrie getting older and taking a back seat.

Moritz Wagner
2025 Stats: 31.7 mpg, 17.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 50% FG
2024 Stats: 15.9 mpg, 7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 49% FG

Notes: I'm going to sound like a broken fiddle, but Mo Wagner turned into an absolute stud this year. He was a key part of Philly's success throughout the season, but again the question begs of if these numbers are only reflective of more playing time or if he truly blossomed this season.

Justin Patton
2025 Stats: 26.7 mpg, 15.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 48% FG
2024 Stats: 20.1 mpg, 9.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 47% FG

Notes: Patton was a beast for the Pacers this year and probably could have done even better with some more tender love and care. He dropped 50 not too long ago and proved that big men who can score from multiple levels can be incredibly dangerous in this league now. His ratings look above average from everywhere, but this guy should be getting 30+ mpg and will be a force for years to come.

Luke Kennard
2025 Stats: 30.5 mpg, 16.6 ppg, 3.0 apg, 47% FG, 42% 3PT
2024 Stats: 23.7 mpg, 9.0 ppg, 2.7 apg, 41% FG, 40% 3PT

Notes: Luke might have had the benefit of more PT on a team that wasn't competing this year, but he improved his efficiency a ton and showed that he can start or be a top 6th man in the league. He was a key part of the youth movement in LA this year and will no doubt be a big part of the Clippers future moving forward.

Cameron Oliver
2025 Stats: 29.7 mpg, 16.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, 44% FG
2024 Stats: 25.7 mpg, 9.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 43% FG

Notes: Oliver was always a unique player with his skill set, but it seems he finally found a use for all of those unique skills and put together a very impressive year for the Lakers. Another player who benefited from additional touches on a less competitive team, but with only a little bit more PT than last year he showed he has staying power in the league.

Maxi Kleber
2025 Stats: 26.2 mpg, 12.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 46% FG, 35% 3PT
2024 Stats: 12.5 mpg, 3.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 35% FG, 37% 3PT

Notes: We're getting into this part of the writeup where some of these guys are only getting PT because they are on lottery bound teams, but Kleber had to be a pleasant surprise for the TWolves this season. I assumed this guy would drop out of the league in a season or two, but the former second round pick and upcoming FA might have just earned himself a decent pay day with his ability to hit from deep and score.

Ivica Zubac
2025 Stats: 23.9 mpg, 14.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 51% FG
2024 Stats: 20.8 mpg, 8.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 47% FG

Notes: Zubac didn't play as much as some of the other guys on this list, but when he did play he made his presence known. He didn't see a huge jump in PT this year, but made as much use as possible of the minutes he got and was on of the leaders of the upbeat Pelicans team by seasons end. The 6 million price tag could end up being a bargain.

Joe Ingles
2025 Stats: 32.9 mpg, 17.1 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.3 spg, 44% FG, 38% 3PT
2024 Stats: 30.9 mpg, 9.4 ppg, 4.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 45% FG, 43% 3PT

Notes: Joe Ingles was always a fan favorite as a low usage, glue guy. This season he said "screw it" to that low usage tag and helped lead a revitalization in Portland with Marcus Smart. Ingles not only almost doubled his offensive production, but his aggressive man to man defense finally amounted to a ridiculous amount of steals for a player who has never been known to generate too many turnovers in the past.

DJ Wilson
2025 Stats: 29.2 mpg, 15.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 45% FG, 36% 3PT
2024 Stats: 19.8 mpg, 8.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 40% FG, 42% 3PT

Notes: DJ helped the Kings turn a very slow start into a very Sacramento year where they ended up as one of the top teams in the West yet again. His ability to hit from multiple levels and add flexibility to his role was critical there and the added scoring punch only helped that turn around. I expect these numbers to improve even more next season.

So what do you guys think? Who is this year MIP? This is a unique year due to the engine switch, but hopefully this helps you all narrow down who you feel is the most deserving.



Also, someone should make an article about the players who took the biggest nosedive with number 1 going to DeAaron Fox.

[GreenBear]

This category is a lot more crowded with worthy candidates this year than most for obvious reasons.

Joe Ingles might be my favorite one just because he was never supposed to be more than a low usage glue guy like Jon mentioned. And because he's pretty old. He's turned into a legit star now.

[Dennis]

errrr, Bridges didnt have his endurance boost yet, Jon lol

[hardenwithnod]

This might be the toughest MIP field I have ever seen since I have been in this league, so many well deserving candidates. This engine change has definitely shifted a lot of things.

[cb4raptorscb4]

It's going to be hard to beat Bridges here I think. Crazy list though given the engine switch.

[KW]

I typically don't give second year players MIP since rookies seemed to be artificially nerfed beyond just their endurance boost, so 2nd year players almost always improve. Otherwise Bridges would've run away with this.

Most of the leading vote getters in this award are going to be players with high PAS ratings whose touches/ball action changes made them way better.

[Flaming Homer]

I agree with Doug, most impressed by the improvement of Ingles.
The best player going forward Miles Bridges imo, but I always saw him as a stud, so maybe just not this surprised about his performance this year.
Everyone on this list had a great season.

[Andrewu91]

Yes, Ingles is def. no joke. He turned into a guy I defended and defeated, to a guy who's unstoppable. I will say I have watched portland's roster rather closely. They can win it all.

Knox - a decent bench player who is putting up stats on a lottery team.

Bridges - A product of the new system and regular season Dennis, who gets the most out of his players.

Wagner - Going into DDS19, the hype was about shooting bigs, and he is the perfect example of that. He has benefited from that. But cascook(yes I still follow), has done a fantastic job.

Wilson - Another stroller job from BT, who gets the most out of his players, then trades them in year 4.

I forget who I voted for, but looking at the list right now, I'd vote Ingles.

[Stockton12]

So many players improved so this will be a hard one to pick ..maybe Bridges , Knox or Wagner

[Ocons]

This is Hamilton in a runaway.

[KW]

This is Hamilton in a runaway.

anybody recognize this dude? Didn't know randoms could post on this forum

[cb4raptorscb4]

This is Hamilton in a runaway.

anybody recognize this dude? Didn't know randoms could post on this forum