NBA Most Improved Player 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings as Josh Giddey Takes the Bulls by the Horns

Now that some NBA squads have created separation from the rest of the pack in the team standings, fans now have a better of idea of players who have truly elevated their game by contributing to their ball clubs' success. It's one thing, of course, to get great numbers on a struggling team and another to translate improved stats into an impressive winning percentage.

This is precisely why Josh Giddey, who was ranked fifth in last week's Most Improved Player (MIP) rankings, takes a massive leap this time around. It's hard to imagine the Chicago Bulls making their early push without the Australian guard's incredible play. Just as the Bulls are rampaging through the Eastern Conference standings, Giddey is charging towards the MIP award.

NBA Most Improved Player, 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings for Nov. 8, 2025

#5 Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors - Source: Imagn

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Previous Ranking: 2nd

GP 9 | PPG 16.7 | RPG 3.7 | APG 5.4 | SPG 2.0 | BPG 0.2 | TOV 2.6

FG 51.8% | 3PT 42.2% | FT 85.0%

In contrast to Giddey, Ryan Rollins takes quite the fall this week in the MIP rankings. Though the Milwaukee Bucks (6-3) are still in good shape, Rollins had back-to-back subpar games: a 10-point performance against the Pacers on Monday and an 11-point, zero-rebound outing versus the Raptors the day after.

#4 Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers

Denver Nuggets v Portland Trail Blazers - Source: Getty

Previous Ranking: New entry

GP 8 | PPG 24.4 | RPG 6.5 | APG 4.5 | SPG 0.8 | BPG 0.9 | TOV 3.9

FG 46.5% | 3PT 36.0% | FT 85.1%

Through eight games, Deni Avdija has sustained his significantly improved numbers, making him a better MIP prospect than last week's #4 entry Jonathan Kuminga at this point. The Portland Trail Blazers forward's rebounds and steals are up from last season, and his scoring average has gone up by nearly eight points. Avdija's production has helped Portland (5-3, fifth in the West) weather the storm of the abrupt shift in their head coach position.

#3 Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder - Source: Imagn

Previous Ranking: 3rd

GP 9 | PPG 16.7 | RPG 3.7 | APG 3.4 | SPG 1.6 | BPG 0.1 | TOV 1.8

FG 45.8% | 3PT 28.6% | FT 94.1%

Jalen Williams is still out of action, but Ajay Mitchell has remained steady with his contributions in the stat sheet. That's why Mitchell will also stay put in the third spot of this MIP list. Impressively, the 23-year-old guard has nearly doubled his averages in scoring, rebounds, and assists compared to last season.

#2 Austin Reaves, LA Lakers

NBA: NOV 02 Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Getty

Previous Ranking: 1st

GP 7 | PPG 31.1 | RPG 5.1 | APG 9.3 | SPG 1.4 | BPG 0.0 | TOV 3.4

FG 48.9% | 3PT 34.4% | FT 90.3%

Austin Reaves is no stranger to battles that go down the wire, and in these MIP rankings, that's exactly what he has run into. As impressive as his averages are, Reaves missed two games this past week due to a groin injury. In a tight race for a year-end award, DNPs can end up spelling the difference.

#1 Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks - Source: Imagn

Previous Ranking: 5th

GP 8 | PPG 22.3 | RPG 9.6 | APG 9.8 | SPG 0.9 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 3.6

FG 48.9% | 3PT 41.7% | FT 72.9%

Josh Giddey is currently number one in points, number two in rebounds, and number one in assists on a team that is second in the Eastern Conference. His improved numbers aren't empty calories; they're an indispensable component of the Chicago Bulls' winning ways. The thought of Giddey as the number one scoring option lwas not quite feasible last season, but now, there's no denying that he has become the Bulls' main man.

Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado