The Ringer

Jordan Ramirez

De'Aaron Fox has made another leap this season.

The fourth-year guard is averaging a career high in points (25.0), true shooting percentage (56.7), usage rate (30.8) and minutes played (35.0) this season.

Now, The Ringer lists him as Most Improved Player three quarters of the way through the season.

"Only four players averaged more points per game in Q3 than Fox: Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell, Zion Williamson, and Kyrie Irving," writes Dan Devine.

"He had nearly as many 30-point performances in this six-week stretch (10) as he had in the first three seasons of his career (10)."

Devine attributes Fox's increased offensive repertoire as one of the reasons why he's made another leap this season.

"Fox has been a more dangerous offensive threat than ever," writes Devine. "He averaged 29.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game in Q3, posting a .589 true shooting percentage on 32 percent usage—a level of production that only bona fide offensive mega-engines have managed over the past couple of seasons.

"With Fox on the court, the Kings scored 114.4 points per 100 during Q3, equivalent to a top-10 offense."

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The Ringer: Fox is Most Improved Player in the NBA

"It’s been a different experience, especially with how we travel and how we move," Harrison Barnes told The Ringer.

"Everything takes a lot more time—the extra hour waiting for the rapid test, testing on off days, testing on All-Star break, having to test every day. All the little things add up over the course of the season."

No. 40 continues his steady play for Sacramento, totaling 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game with a 62.4 true shooting percentage.

One hobby Barnes mentioned having more time for during this unusual season was reading books.

"One was called Heavy [by Kiese Laymon]. That was really good. Another one was Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. Another one, The Nickel Boys," Barnes said.

"Another one was called Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke. I just finished Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey, which was phenomenal. And then, I’m currently reading Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman."

Barnes also detailed his impressive play this season, crediting his offseason training and all-around dedication to the game.

"Over the past two years, I’ve really just been putting in a lot of work in the offseason with my development coach Noah LaRoche," Barnes explained.

"We’ve been working very hard to just try to improve my all-around game, see what areas I need to improve, and just how to be effective with the touches that you have."

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Barnes: 'My Focus is to Continue to Get Better'

Harrison Barnes is having a career-best season in Sacramento.

In his ninth season, Barnes is averaging career-high marks in minutes players (35.6), field goal percentage (49.4), free throw attempts (4.7) and rebounds (6.2).

Barnes has also continued to provide leadership in the locker room, providing a veteran presence for the young Kings squad.

"His competitiveness and ability to really take it to another level in the fourth quarter," Barnes replied when asked about De'Aaron Fox on The Ryen Russillo Podcast.

"Specifically speaking for point guards, he has one of the biggest upsides defensively."

Barnes was also asked about Rookie of the Year candidate Tyrese Haliburton, who's been one of the best players in his class this season.

"He's just a connector. When he's out on the court, he knows how to play and he knows how to make guys better," Barnes said.

"Whether he's on the ball or off the ball, whatever position you put him in he's going to find a way to be protective."

Barnes also spoke about his new role with the National Basketball Players Association, recently being named to the Executive Committee as Secretary-Treasurer.

"It's huge. It means a lot," Barnes admitted.

"For one, to be associated with the Union in terms of a leadership position. Coming into the league, I've always tried to be involved with the Union — going to meetings and talking with guys to get a better understanding of what's really going on...the NBA is a business."

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Harrison Barnes Drops by 'The Ryen Russillo Podcast'

"His style of play is instrumental to winning basketball," says J. Kyle Mann of The Ringer. "There's an uncommon, refined maturity to the way he approaches the game."

"There's an uncommon, refined maturity to the way he approaches the game."

Although he's only played in 30 games during his NBA career, Tyrese Haliburton has impressed with his poise, calming presence and overall skill set.

"Prior to entering the league, it was popular to glance at Haliburton's shot mechanics and then glance at the rigorous pace of the NBA and say 'That just ain't gonna work.’”

Mann continued: "Although Tyrese's shot is slightly unusual — and it could factor into his ceiling — it was a lazy take at the time and a lazy take now."

Haliburton is shooting an impressive 49.4 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from deep, including a 61.9 true shooting percentage.

"He's extremely efficient for a rookie, much less for a rookie guard that has the ball in his hands a lot."

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The Ringer: Haliburton 'Destined' to Be Part of Great Teams

"I love it here. I'm glad I slid to 12," said Sacramento's top rookie last week.

"If we did this all over, I would pray to God I slid here."

Tyrese Haliburton is loving his time in Sacramento, earning himself a spot in all Rookie of the Year conversations.

Haliburton is averaging 11.4 points and 4.9 assists on an impressive 50.4 shooting percentage, adding a 47.0 shooting clip from deep.

"I told y'all. They said it wasn't going to translate," Haliburton said.

No. 0 was recently tabbed as being a future 'Multi-Time All-Star' by The Ringer's Bill Simmons.

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Haliburton: 'I Love It' in Sacramento

Tyrese Haliburton has taken the league by storm, and the acclaim for the rookie keeps coming in.

"Haliburton already plays like one of the most trustworthy veterans in all of the NBA," said Kevin O'Connor on The Ringer NBA Show.

The former Iowa State Cyclone is second amongst rookies in Total Points Added (15.61), trailing only Charlotte's LaMelo Ball (15.63).

"You can put him in any role and he's going to make the most of that role and make everyone better," said Jonathan Tjarks.

Haliburton is averaging 11.4 points and 4.9 assists on an incredible 50.4 shooting clip, adding a 47.0 shooting clip from deep.

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The Ringer: Haliburton Has 'Special Feel' for the Game

Kyle Guy's road to the NBA was always under the brightest of lights, with the most intense pressure one can face in his position.

With the NCAA championship on the line, Guy delivered when it mattered most last season, with millions watching around the world.

But, despite that title, numerous accolades and a Two-Way NBA contract, it took failure for Guy to reach this point.

“I always say that UMBC is the best thing that ever happened to me in my basketball career because it sparked a fire," Guy said to The Ringer. "It made me go to this dark place to where I only had one way to go, and that was up."

Guy is referencing Virginia's 74-54 loss to UMBC in 2018, where the No. 1 ranked Cavaliers remarkably lost in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m a firm believer that if we didn’t lose that game, we probably don’t win the national championship. If we don’t win the national championship and all play well, I’m probably not in this position I am in.”

Guy made an immediate splash with his new team, finishing with averages of 16.8 points on 38 percent shooting in 30.8 minutes of action.

The former Cavalier was selected by the New York Knicks at No. 55, with that pick heading to Sacramento via a trade.

“We had three second-round picks, so we felt pretty good that we were going to have the ability to take him,” Kings GM Vlade Divac said of Guy. “His shooting ability is just great. That’s a true NBA skill. And [to make] it into the league, you need to have one skill, and he already has that.”

Guy's assertive play during both Sacramento and Las Vegas Summer League caught the attention of coaches as well.

"You can tell he’s been well coached and has feel for the game, which you have to for someone his size,” Summer League coach Jesse Mermuys said. “Every time the level of play is raised, he matches it and exceeds it. Which to me is a sign of an NBA player.”

Guy's career has been full of twists and turns, but his latest to Sacramento is well on its way towards being another successful one.

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Kyle Guy Opens Up About Basketball Career to The Ringer

Tracee Jay

Players with diverse skillsets, ages and talents have all been a part of the NBA's Most Improved Player award’s history.

From perennial All-Stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Love, to Jalen Rose and former Kings forward Zach Randolph, it goes to show there isn’t one way to earn the honor.

While many roads have led to MIP, it probably helps to have a breakout season – enter De’Aaron Fox.

Sophomore’s don’t typically win this award, as they're expected to grow from their rookie season - only 7 second-year players have ever earned the award - and only two (Gilbert Arenas and Monta Ellis) have done it within the past 25 years.

No. 5 has made statistical improvements in nearly every major category and is looking to be the eighth sophomore to take home the title.

According to Kevin O’Connor from The Ringer, Fox has made one of the most significant year-to-year jumps of all time.

“He’s [De’Aaron] hitting 64 percent of his shots around the rim, and attempting two free throws for every five shots—both significant improvements from his rookie season,” says O'Connor.

De’Aaron’s plus-minus has also taken a leap.

Advanced metrics show Fox’s real plus-minus was minus-4.3 as a rookie to plus-2.2 as a sophomore, and box plus-minus jumped from minus-4.4 to plus-1.0.

“He’s gone from a terribly inefficient, negative overall player as a rookie to an improving scorer, reliable playmaker, and competitive defender while [potentially] leading the Kings to their first winning season since 2005-06,” remarks O’Connor.

In March, Swipa is averaging 19.4 ppg, 7.6 assists and four rebounds a game – setting the tone for an improving squad still fighting for playoff contention.

The Kentucky product is turning the sophomore slump into a sophomore surge, and with 16 games to play, can still add to his stellar second season in the Association.