NBA Power Rankings: Each team's most improved player
NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
This week, we're identifying each team's most improved player as a nod to those who've made major strides during the 2024-25 campaign.
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ATL | BKN | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (60-12)
Previous: 2
Jalen Williams: While the Thunder have gotten improved play from Aaron Wiggins and others, J-Dub has shown he can be a consistent second option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The first-time All-Star is averaging over 20 points for the first time in his career.
2. Boston Celtics (53-19)
Previous: 3
Payton Pritchard: The diminutive guard has been on fire this campaign. He has 22 games with at least five triples, and his 236 threes broke the NBA record for most made 3-pointers off the bench.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (58-14)
Previous: 1
Ty Jerome: The Cavs guard has found a home after playing for three different teams in his first four seasons. Jerome's steady offensive play and responsibility with the rock make him an underdog Sixth Man candidate.
4. Houston Rockets (47-26)
Previous: 10
Amen Thompson: The 20-year-old has been a revelation at both ends of the court in his sophomore season. Thompson's 14 points per game represent the third-best on the team, and he boasts the team's fifth-best defensive rating (108.6) among players who have appeared in 50 or more games.
5. Golden State Warriors (41-31)
Previous: 6
Quinten Post: The 7-foot rookie has developed into an important piece after seeing little action early on. Post is giving the Warriors a presence on the glass and a legitimate floor-spacer at the five.
6. Denver Nuggets (45-28)
Previous: 5
Christian Braun: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's exit opened a spot in the starting five, and Braun has filled in nicely. The third-year pro has doubled his scoring output and efficiency courtesy of a career-best 57.4% field-goal percentage.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (43-28)
Previous: 4
Austin Reaves: The undrafted guard has blossomed into an elite offensive weapon with career highs of 19.7 points and 5.9 assists. He's scored 35-plus points four times this season - something he only managed once across the previous three campaigns.
8. New York Knicks (45-26)
Previous: 7
Karl-Anthony Towns: A change of scenery has paid dividends for Towns. So has his return to his natural position at the 5, and the mismatches it creates on a nightly basis. Not everyone buys into Tom Thibodeau's methods, but Towns certainly has.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (44-28)
Previous: 9
Scotty Pippen Jr.: The second-generation guard struggled to secure consistent minutes before this campaign. Pippen has appeared in a career-high 70 contests and started 19 of them, posting 9.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (41-32)
Previous: 12
Jaden McDaniels: The versatile wing stepped up when the team needed him most. McDaniels has averaged 16.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.4 stocks (steals and blocks combined) since Feb. 1, contributing to Minny's 14-11 record in that span.
11. Indiana Pacers (42-29)
Previous: 13
Andrew Nembhard: The guard parlayed a breakthrough playoff showing last season into a solid run this campaign despite early shooting struggles. He's also been an ideal backcourt mate for Tyrese Haliburton.
12. Los Angeles Clippers (40-31)
Previous: 14
Ivica Zubac: The 7-footer has solidified himself as one of the NBA's top big men this season. Zubac is averaging 19.9 points and 12.2 rebounds since the All-Star break, and he's recorded three 20-20 games this campaign.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (40-31)
Previous: 8
A.J. Green: Bucks coach Doc Rivers is notorious for not playing young players, but Green has been a mainstay in the Bucks' rotation since Rivers took over, averaging 7.2 points per game with 41.1% shooting from deep.
14. Detroit Pistons (41-32)
Previous: 11
Cade Cunningham: The former first overall pick is the favorite to win the NBA's Most Improved Player. Cunningham's setting new personal bests across the board, and his strong play has changed the Pistons' fortunes.
15. Atlanta Hawks (35-37)
Previous: 17
Dyson Daniels: The Great Barrier Thief is also in MIP contention this season, thanks to his two-way breakout campaign. Daniels is leading the league with 3.1 steals per game while scoring 14 points per contest.
16. Phoenix Suns (35-37)
Previous: 18
Nobody: It's not hyperbole to say every single rotation player for the Suns got worse. With a nearly identical roster, Phoenix's net rating has dropped from eighth (plus-3.1) last season to 15th (minus-1) this campaign.
17. Sacramento Kings (35-37)
Previous: 15
Keon Ellis: Slim pickings here, but Ellis is logging more minutes (23.7) in his third year while also improving his points per game (8.5) and his field-goal (48.9%), 3-point (43.8%), and free-throw percentages (86.1%).
18. Orlando Magic (35-38)
Previous: 16
Franz Wagner: An oblique injury temporarily halted Wagner's breakthrough season, but he's bounced back in a big way. He's averaging a career-high 24.4 points and ranks in the 96th percentile among wings for assist percentage (25.1%), according to Cleaning the Glass.
19. Chicago Bulls (32-40)
Previous: 21
Josh Giddey: The Aussie guard has benefited from his move to Chicago. Giddey's improved his shot selection and is getting to the charity stripe more than ever. His 6.9 assists per contest rank 15th in the NBA.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (32-41)
Previous: 19
Shaedon Sharpe: The Canadian, known for his acrobatic dunks, is quietly enjoying a very effective third NBA campaign. Sharpe is averaging a career-high 17.6 points, second on the Blazers.
21. San Antonio Spurs (31-40)
Previous: 22
Julian Champagnie: Outside of Victor Wembanyama and his outstanding play, Champagnie has continued to develop into a dependable rotational player. The 23-year-old is scoring 9.6 points per outing and is first on the Spurs in made 3-pointers (146).
22. Toronto Raptors (25-47)
Previous: 23
Ochai Agbaji: Agbaji went from unplayable to a legitimate rotation player. In his 27 appearances last season, Agbaji was in the fifth percentile of 3-point shooting accuracy. The 3-and-D wing is now in the 68th percentile.
23. Dallas Mavericks (35-38)
Previous: 28
Max Christie: Following the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis swap, few expected Christie to be the most buzzworthy piece in Dallas. After averaging 4.2 points last season, he's posting 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists with the Mavs.
24. Brooklyn Nets (23-49)
Previous: 27
Cameron Johnson: The 29-year-old has accepted the challenge of an increased offensive role and excelled with the expanded responsibilities. Johnson is dropping a career-high 18.9 points along with near-40% 3-point shooting.
25. Philadelphia 76ers (23-49)
Previous: 25
Quentin Grimes: The 24-year-old was somewhat lost in the Mavs exodus, but he's been stellar since joining the 76ers. Grimes is averaging 22.2 points in 20 outings, including two 40-plus-point outbursts.
26. Charlotte Hornets (18-54)
Previous: 29
Brandon Miller: The second-year wing hasn't played since Jan. 15 due to injury, but Miller's improved offensive credentials demanded more attention from primary defenders. He's become a bigger part of the Hornets' attack.
27. Miami Heat (31-41)
Previous: 20
Tyler Herro: The first-time All-Star has been one of the few positives for a Heat team mired in a horrid campaign. His improved offensive versatility and enhanced playmaking abilities are a bright spot in Miami.
28. New Orleans Pelicans (20-53)
Previous: 24
Trey Murphy III: Before his season-ending shoulder injury, Murphy was in the running for the Most Improved Player award. He was averaging 21.2 points on 45.4% shooting, 6.4 more points than his previous career high.
29. Washington Wizards (15-56)
Previous: 26
Alex Sarr: Although it's been another rough year in the nation's capital, Sarr's recent growth bodes well. The big man is averaging 17.2 points and shooting 36% from deep over his last 10 appearances.
30. Utah Jazz (16-57)
Previous: 30
Walker Kessler: There's not a lot to choose from here, but Kessler has taken a modest leap in his third season and is averaging career bests in nearly every statistical category. He also leads the league with 2.4 blocks per contest.