by Joel Piton 1/21/2026 - Sportz Nation This year's Most Improved Player race is more competitive than it’s been in recent memory, with a growing list of players making undeniable cases for real, lasting growth. A handful are pushing toward their first All-Star selections, while others—once anonymous role players—have vaulted themselves into opposing teams' gameplans. These aren’t fluky hot streaks either, we're halfway through the season and these guys have not wavered. Thes

Photo: Justin Ford/GettyImages Just four years ago, Ja Morant electrified the league for 27 points per night, earning NBA Most Improved Player honors, and cementing himself as the face of the Memphis Grizzlies franchise. He wasn’t just a rising star; he was marketed as the future. Fast-forward to 2026, and that future hasn't panned out much at all. Off-court gun incidents leading to suspensions, fractured locker-room chemistry, injuries, and stretches of subpar play have shif

Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty After a few weeks of speculation, the Atlanta Hawks’ eagerness to move Trae Young went from rumor to reality in the blink of an eye. Just three days after reports surfaced that Atlanta was actively exploring trade options, the Washington Wizards emerged as Young’s preferred destination—and almost as quickly, the deal was done. After eight seasons as the face of the Hawks franchise and a fan-favorite in Atlanta basketball, Young is headed to Washington