NBA SIMS LEAGUE MOST IMPROVED WATCH - Week 3
| PLAYER | TEAM | WHY | STATS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | PER 19.61 Last Season |  Western 10-9 | DeAndre Hunter has made a dramatic leap this season, positioning him as a strong contender for Most Improved Player. Last year in Cleveland and New Orleans, he averaged 10.5 points in 29.8 minutes per game, shooting 45 percent from the field and 31 percent from three, while contributing 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. This season in Dallas, he has transformed into a primary offensive option, averaging 23.1 points per game in 40.1 minutes, more than doubling his scoring output. He is attempting nearly 20 shots per game and hitting 34 percent from three while maintaining an impressive 88 percent from the free-throw line. Hunter’s all-around game has also improved significantly. His rebounds have increased from 4.2 to 5.9 per game, and his assists have jumped from 2.2 to 5.1 per game. Steals and blocks have risen as well, highlighting his expanded impact on both ends. These substantial improvements across scoring, playmaking and defense make Hunter a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate. | 29.6 Min 10.6 PTS 4.0 REB 2.2 AST 0.7 STL 0.3 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 40.1 Min 23.4 PTS 5.8 REB 5.0 AST 0.9 STL 0.7 BLK |
 | PER 19.60 Last Season |  Eastern 7-14 | Jonathan Kuminga has a strong case for the Most Improved Player award based on the clear statistical leap he has made from last season to this one. Last year, he averaged 7.0 points per game, shooting 54 percent from the field and 42 percent from three, in 25.0 minutes per game. This season, despite a similar role, his production has skyrocketed. He’s now putting up 20.8 points per game, nearly tripling his scoring output while maintaining strong efficiency at 51 percent from the field. His ability to get to the line has also improved, jumping from 0.4 to 3.7 free throws made per game while hitting 92 percent at the stripe. Kuminga’s growth isn’t limited to scoring. His rebounds increased from 4.0 to 7.3, and his assists more than doubled from 1.6 to 3.7. These across-the-board improvements while taking on a bigger role show a player transforming into a two-way force, making him a legitimate Most Improved Player contender. | 24.8 Min 7.0 PTS 4.0 REB 1.5 AST 0.8 STL 0.6 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 31.9 Min 21.8 PTS 6.6 REB 2.9 AST 1.3 STL 0.8 BLK |
 | PER 19.30 Last Season |  Western 8-12 | Mason Plumlee’s improvement this season positions him as a surprisingly strong candidate for the Most Improved Player award even has he has grown a bit long in the tooth. Last year, he averaged 3.8 points in 20.2 minutes per game while shooting 58 percent from the field and contributing 639 rebounds and 1.3 assists. This season, his production has taken a clear jump across multiple areas. He is now scoring 13.1 points per game in slightly increased minutes, nearly doubling his offensive output while becoming one of the league’s most efficient scorers at an outstanding 79 percent from the field. His rebounding has also improved from 6.9 to 8.9 per game, showing a stronger presence on the boards. Plumlee’s free-throw attempts have increased as well, going from 0.8 to 1.9 per game, reflecting a more aggressive approach around the basket. With better scoring, rebounding and overall impact, Plumlee’s leap this season makes him a legitimate contender for Most Improved Player consideration. | 20.0 Min 3.8 PTS 6.9 REB 1.3 AST 0.8 STL 0.8 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 23.6 Min 13.5 PTS 9.0 REB 1.8 AST 0.8 STL 1.0 BLK |
 | PER 16.41 Last Season |  Western 8-12 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker has made a significant leap this season, putting him in the conversation for Most Improved Player. Last year with Cleveland and New Orleans, he averaged 8.1 points in 26.0 minutes per game, shooting 45 percent from the field and 36 percent from three, while contributing 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists. This season with Golden State, his scoring has more than doubled to 17.6 points per game in 35.8 minutes, while maintaining efficiency at 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from three. His free-throw shooting has improved as well, rising from 70 percent to 87 percent. Alexander-Walker’s playmaking has also seen a major boost, with assists jumping from 2.6 to 5.7 per game, and his rebounding has increased from 2.4 to 3.6 per game. Defensively, he has added blocks and steals, showing growth on both ends of the floor. These improvements across scoring, playmaking, and overall impact make him a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate. | 24.9 Min 7.6 PTS 2.3 REB 2.6 AST 0.5 STL 0.2 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 34.8 Min 16.4 PTS 3.5 REB 5.4 AST 1.0 STL 1.1 BLK |
 | PER 16.13 Last Season |  Eastern 7-12 | Kyle Filipowski has made a major leap this season, putting him in strong contention for Most Improved Player. Last year with New York and Orlando, he averaged 4.2 points in 25.9 minutes per game, shooting 56 percent from the field and contributing 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists. This season with Orlando, he has emerged as a dominant presence, averaging 14.3 points in 35.7 minutes, while improving his field-goal efficiency to 70 percent. Filipowski’s impact extends beyond scoring. His rebounding has nearly doubled, rising from 6.7 to 12.2 per game, and his assists have more than doubled from 1.4 to 3.1 per game. Defensively, he has increased his blocks from 0.5 to 1.8 per game while maintaining strong steal numbers. This across-the-board growth in scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and rim protection demonstrates Filipowski’s transformation into a highly impactful player, making him a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate. | 26.0 Min 4.2 PTS 6.8 REB 1.4 AST 1.0 STL 0.5 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 35.7 Min 14.3 PTS 12.2 REB 3.1 AST 1.1 STL 1.8 BLK |
 | PER 16.06 Last Season |  Eastern 9-12 | Taurean Prince has shown impressive improvement this season, making him a strong candidate for Most Improved Player. Last year with San Antonio and Washington, he averaged 5.5 points in 23.3 minutes per game, shooting 40 percent from the field and 36 percent from three, while contributing 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists. This season with Washington, his scoring has jumped to 14.0 points per game in 32.8 minutes, while shooting an efficient 59 percent from the field and 45 percent from three. Prince’s playmaking has also improved significantly, with assists rising from 1.6 to 4.3 per game. He has become more active defensively as well, with steals increasing from 0.5 to 0.8 and blocks from 0.2 to 0.8 per game. These improvements across scoring, efficiency, playmaking, and defense highlight his expanded role and overall growth, making him a legitimate contender for Most Improved Player this season. | 22.2 Min 5.2 PTS 2.9 REB 1.5 AST 0.5 STL 0.2 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 32.8 Min 14.0 PTS 3.5 REB 4.3 AST 0.8 STL 0.8 BLK |
 | PER 15.51 Last Season |  Western 13-5 | Guerschon Yabusele has made a meaningful leap this season, strengthening his case for Most Improved Player consideration. Last year in Washington and Phoenix, he averaged 4.6 points in 23.8 minutes per game, shooting 45 percent from the field and 33 percent from three while contributing 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist. This season in San Antonio, his scoring has more than doubled to 9.6 points per game, driven by a significant jump in efficiency. He is now shooting 63 percent from the field and 44 percent from three, showing major growth as a reliable offensive option. Yabusele’s playmaking has also improved, with assists rising from 1.0 to 1.5 per game. His free-throw accuracy has increased from 63 percent to 73 percent, and he continues to provide steady rebounding at 4.7 per game. With better scoring, sharper efficiency, and overall improved impact, Yabusele has showcased a clear step forward that places him firmly in the Most Improved Player conversation. | 23.9 Min 4.6 PTS 4.7 REB 1.3 AST 1.2 STL 0.4 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 20.1 Min 9.6 PTS 4.7 REB 1.5 AST 0.6 STL 0.4 BLK |
 | PER 15.27 Last Season |  Western 11-7 | Jaylin Williams has made a strong case for Most Improved Player this season with a noticeable leap in production and efficiency. Last year with Utah, he averaged just 2.5 points in 16.3 minutes per game, shooting 47 percent from the field and 27 percent from three, while contributing 5.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists. This season, he is scoring 9.5 points per game in 23.5 minutes, while dramatically improving his efficiency to 62 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. Williams has also grown as a playmaker and defender. His assists have increased from 0.7 to 2.3 per game, and steals have jumped from 0.4 to 1.2 per game, while his rebounding has risen from 5.1 to 7.0 per game. These improvements, combined with better scoring and shooting efficiency, show that Williams has developed into a more complete and impactful player, making him a legitimate candidate for Most Improved Player. | 16.4 Min 2.4 PTS 5.1 REB 0.8 AST 0.5 STL 0.6 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 24.2 Min 9.4 PTS 6.8 REB 2.4 AST 1.2 STL 0.6 BLK |
 | PER 15.11 Last Season |  Western 13-7 | Jake LaRavia has shown a remarkable step forward this season, making him a strong candidate for Most Improved Player. Last year with Houston and Philly, he averaged 3.7 points in limited minutes, shooting 46 percent from the field and 29 percent from three, while contributing 2.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. This season, his production has increased across the board. He is now scoring 10.0 points per game in 24.6 minutes, while shooting an impressive 56 percent from the field and 46 percent from three, showing substantial improvement in efficiency and range. LaRavia’s playmaking has also taken a leap, with assists rising from 0.8 to 3.0 per game, and his defense has improved with steals increasing from 0.4 to 1.5 per game. Additionally, he is grabbing more rebounds at 4.2 per game. This across-the-board growth highlights LaRavia’s development into a versatile, impactful player, making him a legitimate Most Improved Player contender. | 15.9 Min 3.6 PTS 2.4 REB 0.8 AST 0.4 STL 0.2 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 24.5 Min 9.8 PTS 4.2 REB 2.9 AST 1.5 STL 0.3 BLK |
 | PER 14.52 Last Season |  Eastern 16-4 | Nikola Jović has shown a notable improvement this season, making a strong case for Most Improved Player. Last year with Dallas and New York, he averaged 4.0 points in 16.3 minutes per game, shooting 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from three, while contributing 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist. This season with New York, he has nearly doubled his scoring to 7.8 points per game in the same amount of playing time, while dramatically improving his efficiency to 80 percent from the field and 73 percent from three. While his rebounding has slightly decreased from 3.4 to 2.4 per game, Jović’s offensive efficiency and scoring impact have skyrocketed. He has also maintained solid defensive contributions, with blocks and steals remaining steady. This leap in scoring and shooting efficiency demonstrates Jović’s growth into a more reliable and impactful player, making him a steady contender for Most Improved Player. | 16.3 Min 3.9 PTS 3.4 REB 1.0 AST 0.5 STL 0.4 BLK | -> -> -> -> -> -> | 16.3 Min 7.8 PTS 2.4 REB 0.8 AST 0.5 STL 0.6 BLK |