Who was the NBA’s Most Improved Player this season?

1. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks

In most other years, any of the previous five candidates would have fair claim to this award, but Dončić improved so significantly as to make this an easy choice. Frankly, the gap between him and the rest of the field might be wider than the margin between the second- and 10th-place candidates. The most important step a player can make is the one into superstardom, and Dončić ascended to that level faster than even most optimists could have foreseen. Going from precocious rookie to offensive centerpiece in the course of one offseason is the kind of leap that happens once in a generation.

According to Cleaning the Glass, Dončić ranked in the 100th percentile in both usage and assist percentage while improving his efficiency and reducing his turnovers. His 3-point shooting dipped this season, but he compensated by shooting a Giannis-like 73 percent at the rim (up from 62 percent) and taking over 13 free throws per 100 possessions (up from 10.1), per Basketball-Reference. Taken together, those improvements have led to a seven-point increase in scoring in just over one additional minute per game.

Absent a blinding first step or elite leaping ability, Dončić creates separation with a large frame, deceptive ball-handling, and pristine footwork. A high release point reduces the amount of separation required to shoot over defenders, and his sightline allows him to see over defenses in a way most point guards can’t. He has every pass a primary ball-handler needs to orchestrate an efficient offense, and while Dončić could occasionally show more discretion in his shot selection, he sets his teammates up masterfully with accurate, well-timed deliveries that make finishing plays easy work. The Mavericks posted the best regular-season offense of all time this season, and scored more efficiently with Dončić on the floor than the Cavaliers, Heat, or Lakers ever have with LeBron James on the court. (Scoring across the league is more efficient than ever before, and Dallas’s personnel was better suited to run a lethal offense than most of James’ teams were, but functionally, there wasn’t much difference between what Dončić did this season and some of James’ best offensive seasons.)

While Dončić may not have another jump this significant in his future, his swift rise into the MVP conversation begs wondering how much better he can become as he refines his jumper, improves his athleticism, develops an even greater command over the game. The Mavericks were wise to build a winner around their star early in his career, and Dončić has given them something worth tying their future to.