NBA Most Improved Player 2020: December Power Rankings

More than two months of the 2019-20 NBA season has now been played, and a number of players around the league have made a big impression during the first third of the season. The likes of LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and James Harden are among the stars competing to be named Most Valuable Player following a string of excellent performances - and while not as prestigious, the race to named Most Improved Player is also hotting up.

The MIP award has served as a launch platform for some of the NBA's biggest stars over the past few years, and Pascal Siakam has transformed into one of the best players in the East since winning the award earlier this year. So, as we head into 2020, here we will take a look at the five leading contenders to be named as the NBA's Most Improved Player.

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#5 Brandon Ingram - New Orleans Pelicans

Brandon Ingram has made an excellent start to life in New Orleans following his trade from the Lakers

Included as part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, Brandon Ingram arrived in New Orleans alongside fellow promising young talents in the form of Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart. While Ball and Hart have failed to make much of an impact for a struggling Pelicans team, Ingram has displayed the sort of form that convinced the Lakers to take him with the second overall pick back in the 2016 NBA draft.

Heading into the campaign, Ingram had never managed to average more than 20 points for a season, although the 22-year-old is currently averaging 25.2 points while shooting an excellent 48.9 percent from the field. Ingram has also connected with 41 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc - and the former Laker man is also averaging career highs in rebounds (7.1), steals (0.9) and blocks (0.8). Evidently, the Pelicans will be keen to lock the forward into a new long-term contract - and Ingram is on track to establish himself as an All-Star.

#4 Devonte’ Graham - Charlotte Hornets

Devonte' Graham has established himself as a starter with the Charlotte Hornets

After being selected in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft, Devonte' Graham struggled to make much of an impact while playing in Kemba Walker's shadow during his rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets. Graham managed just 4.7 points and 2.6 assists over 46 appearances, although, the 24-year-old has benefited from the All-Star point guards' departure and has been able to force himself into Charlotte's starting five following a strong to the season.

Through 34 appearances this season (24 starts) Graham is averaging 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game - and the guard is also shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. His transformation has been among the biggest surprises of the season so far, and while sophomores are often overlooked for the MIP award, Graham's huge leap in Year 2 should be enough to put him into contention.

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#3 Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum has stepped up for the Celtics following the departure of Kyrie Irving

Jayson Tatum demonstrated flashes of brilliance during his first two seasons in the league with the Boston Celtics, and the 21-year-old has added consistency to his game during the early months of the 2019-20 season to emerge as one of the best young players in the NBA. Tatum has appeared 30 times for the Celtics during the first two months of the campaign, averaging career highs in points (21.2), rebounds (7.0), assists (2.9), and steals (1.3).

Tatum's shooting accuracy has taken a slight hit as he attempts a team-high 18.3 field goal attempts per game, although the forward has often delivered as Boston's closer in big games. Tatum has also delivered a number of huge scoring performances, including 39 points in 36 minutes against the Hornets last week, and the Duke product will continue to improve over the coming months.

#2 Bam Adebayo - Miami Heat

Bam Adebayo has played a vital role on a Miami team that has made an excellent start to the season

Heading into the season, Bam Adebayo had started just 37 times during his first two seasons in the league - while averaging just over 20 minutes per contest. The 22-year-old was also backed as one of the players that the Miami Heat would be willing to include in a trade to land a second All-Star - although Adebayo has since made himself seemingly untouchable thanks to a series of excellent performances.

The center has started all 32 of the Heat's games so far this season, averaging 15.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. Despite making more than 10 field goal attempts per contest, Adebayo's field goal percentage remains at an impressive (57%) - and at this point, the only thing missing from his game is a three-point shot.

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#1 Luka Doncic - Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic has been among the best players in the NBA this season

After being selected 3rd overall in the 2018 NBA draft, Luka Doncic enjoyed an excellent debut season with the Dallas Mavericks as he was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 32.2 minutes per contest. Doncic's rookie campaign was among the most impressive of the past decade, although the shooting guard has managed to take huge strides in his second year in the league, and is on the verge of establishing himself as a genuine superstar.

Doncic has improved every aspect of his game, and through 27 appearances this season, the 20-year-old is averaging 29.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Doncic has also led the Mavericks to a better than expected 21-10 record, and while he remains in contention for the MVP award, the former EuroLeague star is also the leading candidate to be named Most Improved Player.

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