Basketball

List of NBA Most Improved Player Award Winners

Every winner of the NBA Most Improved Player award since it was introduced in 1986.

10 itemsUpdated Mar 20, 2026

The Most Improved Player award recognizes the player who made the biggest statistical leap from the prior season. Giannis Antetokounmpo won it in 2017 before going on to win back-to-back MVPs and a championship, making him the most decorated MIP winner in history.

#	Name	Apg	Ppg	Year
1	Tyrese Haliburton Indiana Pacers — 2024 Haliburton won MIP after emerging as one of the NBA's elite playmakers, averaging 20.1 PPG and 10.9 APG in a breakout All-Star season.	10.9	20.1	2,024
2	Lauri Markkanen Utah Jazz — 2023 Markkanen transformed into an All-Star after joining Utah, jumping from 14.8 to 25.6 PPG in one of the most dramatic single-season improvements.	—	25.6	2,023
3	Darius Garland Cleveland Cavaliers — 2022 Garland made the All-Star team for the first time after averaging 21.7 PPG and 8.6 APG in a major developmental leap forward.	8.6	21.7	2,022
4	Julius Randle New York Knicks — 2021 Randle exploded from 19.6 to 24.1 PPG and earned his first All-Star selection in a career-defining season for the Knicks.	—	24.1	2,021
5	Brandon Ingram New Orleans Pelicans — 2020 Ingram jumped from 18.3 to 24.3 PPG after being traded from the Lakers to New Orleans, earning his first All-Star selection.	—	24.3	2,020
6	Pascal Siakam Toronto Raptors — 2019 Siakam won MIP after going from reserve to key starter, helping Toronto win their NBA championship the same season.	—	16.9	2,019
7	Victor Oladipo Indiana Pacers — 2018 Oladipo reinvented himself in Indiana after the Paul George trade, winning MIP with 23.1 PPG and earning his first All-Star bid.	—	23.1	2,018
8	Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks — 2017 Giannis won MIP before his MVP years, jumping from 16.9 to 22.9 PPG and establishing himself as a future franchise cornerstone.	—	22.9	2,017
9	C.J. McCollum Portland Trail Blazers — 2016 McCollum went from backup to starter, increasing his scoring from 6.8 to 20.8 PPG in one of the most dramatic single-season jumps ever.	—	20.8	2,016
10	Jimmy Butler Chicago Bulls — 2015 Butler jumped from 13.1 to 20.0 PPG and earned his first All-Star bid in a breakthrough season that announced his arrival as a star.	—	20	2,015

This list is compiled from verified public records and reference sources. Last verified: March 20, 2026.

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