NBA Most Improved Player 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings as Deni Avdija Rises to the Top (Dec 20, 2025)

The candidates for the Most Improved Player (MIP) award are living proof that statistical feats in the NBA aren't confined to All-Stars and MVPs. With the immense talent pool in the league, heralded and unheralded players alike are capable of putting up impressive stat lines on any given week.

Over the past seven days, NBA fans have seen triple-doubles and 30-pieces from players that were merely a blip on the radar last season. One of these underrated athletes is Deni Avdija, who pumped in prolific numbers that have contributed to the Portland Trail Blazers' winning ways. Avdija, then, has made his strongest case thus far to be named MIP.

NBA Most Improved Player 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings (Dec 20, 2025)

#5 Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Previous Ranking: 4th

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NBA: Golden State Warriors at Chicago Bulls - Source: Imagn

GP 24 | PPG 20.3 | RPG 9.4 | APG 8.9 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 0.5 | TOV 3.6

FG 47.6% | 3PT 40.4% | FT 75.6%

After contributing "just" 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans last Sunday, Josh Giddey bounced back with a flashier stat line three days later. In a Bulls win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Giddey put up 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

#4 Keyonte George, Utah Jazz

Previous Ranking: New entry

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz - Source: Imagn

GP 26 | PPG 23.9 | RPG 4.0 | APG 6.8 | SPG 0.8 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 3.4

FG 45.0% | 3PT 35.8% | FT 90.6%

Keyonte George made plenty of noise this past week in the MIP conversation. Even on a struggling team like the Utah Jazz, it's no easy feat to pull off two consecutive 30-point games. George's more noteworthy performance came on Monday, when he went off for 37 points to help the Jazz defeat the Dallas Mavericks in overtime.

#3 Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Previous Ranking: 2nd

NBA: Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics - Source: Imagn

GP 24 | PPG 18.0 | RPG 11.0 | APG 1.7 | SPG 0.9 | BPG 1.0 | TOV 2.4

FG 62.9% | FT 74.3%

This season, Jalen Duren has shown the Detroit Pistons that he can be reliable on offense while remaining formidable on the defensive end. However, a six-point performance against the Boston Celtics on Monday hurts his MIP case.

#2 Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Previous Ranking: 1st

Atlanta Hawks v Charlotte Hornets - Source: Getty

GP 25 | PPG 23.6 | RPG 10.5 | APG 8.2 | SPG 1.6 | BPG 0.4 | TOV 3.4

FG 52.1% | 3PT 39.0% | FT 82.2%

Jalen Johnson, who missed a huge chunk of games last season, has all but cemented his place as the Hawks' next franchise player. This past week, Johnson puled off a 12-12-10 triple-double in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and scored 43 points in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

#1 Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers

Previous Ranking: 3rd

Portland Trail Blazers v Cleveland Cavaliers - Source: Getty

GP 27 | PPG 25.8 | RPG 7.1 | APG 6.3 | SPG 0.7 | BPG 0.6 | TOV 3.6

FG 47.6% | 3PT 37.2% | FT 81.3%

Deni Avdija leapfrogs the two Jalens in this week's MIP power rankings because he put up huge numbers that translated into wins for the Blazers. On Sunday, he torched the Golden State Warriors with 26 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Four days later, Avdija had 35 points, five boards, and five dimes in an overtime win over the Sacramento Kings.

Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado