3 WNBA offseason additions who could win Most Improved Player this year

The WNBA awards and the League awards in general are a complicated issue. It seems that each voter has a different perception of what each award and its parameters mean. The League is also intentionally vague about definitions, leaving more space for personal interpretation among voters, which makes a prize partially difficult to predict every season: the most improved player.

Some say that the award should go to the player who had the best break season compared to each last season they play. Others say that it should be compared with the season immediately before the current season. There is a completely different conversation about players who waste time with an injury and then come and have a MIP caliber season.

There is no definitive correct answer at this time. Dijonai Carrington won the award in 2024, after it went from being a bank player to a headline for the Connecticut Sun, going from playing 17.2 minutes per game 29.6 minutes per game. Naturally, his points per game also increased, since he scored 12.7 per game in 2024 compared to 8.3 per game in 2023. He improved from a purely statistical point of view, but those statistics rose because he played more. Should I import? Regardless of why, its role certainly increased, which leads to more results in the season than in its previous seasons.

Behind Carrington was Bridget Carleton from Minnesota, who was in a similar situation. The banking role player became a starter simply due to the needs of his team last season. It ended again almost 10 points per game after 3.2 points per game the previous season. Carleton also led Canada’s basketball at points per game at the Olympic Games in the middle of the WNBA season, before returning to play with Minnesota. The Lynx continued to the WNBA finals, with Carleton hitting some clutch shots on the road.

Every year, the baseline for what “most improved” means the changes a bit. What could mean in 2025? Many players transferred to the teams this low season, there is a good possibility that this year’s MIP race is about new beginnings, and which players moved teams and immediately experienced an improvement in their skills.

Here are some players whose change in the environment could help them improve their performances this year.

Satou Sabally – Phoenix Mercury

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Satou Sabally has been one of the most respected players in the WNBA since he was recruited by Oregon’s wings. Unfortunately, the beginning of the race has interrupted the leg again and again by an injury, without allowing its full -time potential. This was, he decided that he wanted to move from the wings and was changed to the Phoenix Mercury.

This scenario change could do wonders for Sabally’s game, but also for long -term health. Mercury opened its own dedicated practice and a recovery center last year, something that Dallas wings do not have. Add that to the fact that she will play under a new coach, with new teammates, and Sabally could reach a new level.

NALSSA Smith – Dallas Wings

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After being recruited No. 2 in general to Indiana Fever in 2022, Nalyssa Smith’s career did not take off as expected. The lack of direction in Indiana before recruiting Caitlin Clark in 2024 left Smith in a strange place. She had a clear role, and her place became even more murky once both Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark were recruited. His 2024 season ended up full of droughts not to play, enter and leave the rotation and frustrated.

In the low season, she was transferred to the Dallas Wings. With so much change in Dallas, even before they wrote Paige Bueckers, he won a clear indication of Smith’s role until he plays the team, but there is much more space for growth. Smith is a talented player, and in the right situation, he has the potential to be a shocking member of the team.

Kate Martin – Golden State Valkyries

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After being recruited in Las Vegas Aces in the second round of the 2024 WNBA draft and making its opening list, Kate Martin quickly became a fans. It was called “The Gue” or Owa Hawkeyes when he played with Caitlin Clark, reaching two national championship games. In his rookie season, he showed great potential as a winged player.

While Golden State Valkyries prepared to enter the WNBA, they hired former Aces Assistant Natalie Nakase as her chief coach. Then, in the expansion draft, the Valkyries chose Kate Martin de los Ases and brought her to California. While it is sad to see the end of Martin’s possession after a season, this new opportunity with Golden State gives him the opportunity to build a main roll with the Valkyries.

Martin now has security when it comes to making the list and will now be one of the faces of the new franchise. She is with a coach who already knows, and in a situation in which she will get many more minutes to develop her game. All this could lead to a more improved child or season.