Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
Author: Anthony Vlahovic
Last Updated: 12 September, 2025
2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player Odds
The Most Improved Player award in the NBA is one of the most interesting accolades a player can receive. While the rest of the awards handed out in the league have stats that can help narrow the field, the MIP can either be an award with a clear-cut winner or, like the 2023-24 season, it can be given to a player like Tyrese Maxey.
Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 regular season, Dyson Daniels has secured the Most Improved Award after averaging double figures for the first time in his career, while also being a force defensively. Below, we'll break down the best price NBA bettors can get for the 2025-26 MIP Award.
2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player - Best Odds Right Now
Player | Opening odds | Current Best Odds |
|---|---|---|
Andrew Nembhard | +1400 | +1200 (DraftKings) |
Deni Avidja | +1000 | +1400 (DraftKings) |
Bennedict Mathurin | +1800 | +1800 (DraftKings) |
Amen Thompson | +1000 | +2000 (FanDuel*) |
Ausar Thompson | +1800 | +2000 (BetRivers) |
Jonathan Kuminga | +2000 | +2000 (Bet365*) |
Shaedon Sharpe | +1800 | +3000 (DraftKings) |
Josh Giddey | +4000 | +3000 (BetRivers*) |
Matas Buzelis | +4000 | +3000 (DraftKings) |
Scoot Henderson | +1400 | +3500 (FanDuel) |
Trey Murphy III | +2200 | +4000 (FanDuel) |
Jalen Johnson | +2500 | +4000 (DraftKings*) |
Brandon Miller | N/A | +5000 (DraftKings) |
Jaylen Wells | +3000 | +5000 (FanDuel) |
Kyle Filipowski | +4000 | +6000 (FanDuel) |
Derrick White | +4000 | +6000 (DraftKings*) |
Max Christie | +2800 | +7500 (FanDuel) |
Jared McCain | +3000 | +8000 (BetRivers) |
Cam Thomas | +4000 | +8000 (BetRivers) |
Odds as of September 12, 2025
Opening Odds from DraftKings
* = The same odds are offered by multiple sportsbooks
2025-25 NBA Most Improved Player - Top10 Contenders
Player | DraftKings | BetRivers | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|---|
Andrew Nembhard | +1200 | +1000 | +900 |
Deni Avdija | +1400 | +1000 | +1200 |
Bennedict Mathurin | +1800 | +1600 | +1500 |
Ausar Thompson | +1800 | +2000 | +1600 |
Amen Thompson | +2000 | +1600 | +2000 |
Payton Pritchard | +2200 | OTB | +3000 |
Josh Giddey | +2200 | +3000 | +3000 |
Scoot Henderson | +2500 | +2000 | +3500 |
Shaedon Sharpe | +3000 | +2000 | +2500 |
Max Christie | +3000 | +4000 | +7500 |
*Odds as of September 12, 2025
Current Favorites
Andrew Nembhard (Indiana Pacers): The Pacers made the NBA Finals last season, much to the shock of most basketball fans. Nembhard was a significant reason for Indiana's run, as he averaged double figures for the first time in his career. The Gonzaga guard also averaged career highs in rebounds and assists, and he has a good chance of setting new highs this upcoming season. With Tyrese Haliburton set to miss the entire season, Nembhard will need to play a much bigger role in the Pacers' offense, so his usage spikes could cause another big jump in numbers.
Deni Avidja (Portland Trail Blazers): Based on the initial release of the odds for this award, it's clear that sportsbooks believe a member of the Trail Blazers has a good chance to win this award, just based on the spike their usage rate will see. With Portland trading away Anfernee Simons and parting ways with DeAndre Ayton, the Blazers' offense will look different this season. For Avdija, he finished the 2024-25 season with a career high of 16.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, so if his usage rate spikes again, he could certainly see another increase in his stats across the board.
Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets): The sky is the limit for Amen Thompson and the Houston Rockets. Not only did the Rockets show drastic improvement as a team during the 2024-25 season, but Amen Thompson showed he may be able to become the face of the franchise over the next few seasons. In his second NBA season, Thompson averaged 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Athleticism alone makes Thompson a formidable player, but if he can improve his shooting, especially from three-point range, he could run away with this award.
2024-25 Most Improved Player Award Winner - Dyson Daniels
After being acquired by the Hawks, Dyson Daniels took a big step forward in his development. In year three of his career, Daniels averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while also being one of the top candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. Between his averaging in double figures for the first time and the fact that he averaged 3.0 steals per game, Daniels took this award from the likes of Cade Cunningham and Austin Reaves.
NBA Most Improved Player 2024-25 Voting
Rank - Coach | Total points | 1st place votes |
|---|---|---|
1. Dyson Daniels | 332 | 44 |
2. Ivica Zubac | 186 | 23 |
3. Cade Cunningham | 122 | 15 |
4. Christian Braun | 120 | 9 |
5. Austin Reaves | 39 | 3 |
6. Evan Mobley | 21 | 2 |
7. Amen Thompson | 18 | 1 |
8. Deni Avdija | 17 | 1 |
9. Tyler Herro | 16 | 1 |
10. Josh Giddey | 13 | 1 |
11. Payton Pritchard | 6 | 0 |
12. Toumani Camara | 5 | 0 |
13. OG Anunoby | 3 | 0 |
14. Jalen Williams | 2 | 0 |
Past NBA Most Improved Player Award Winners
Season | Player | Team | Opening odds |
|---|---|---|---|
2024-25 | Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks | +11250 |
2023-24 | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | +1200 |
2022-23 | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | N/A |
2021-22 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | +3000 |
2020-21 | Julius Randle | New York Knicks | +2000 |
2019-20 | Brandon Ingram | New Orleans Pelicans | +4000 |
2018-19 | Pascal Siakam | Toronto Raptors | N/A |
2017-18 | Victor Oladipo | Indiana Pacers | +2500 |
2016-17 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | N/A |
2015-16 | CJ McCollum | Portland Trail Blazers | N/A |
2014-15 | Jimmy Butler | Chicago Bulls | N/A |
The Trade Bump Theory: Why Offseason Moves Often Unlock MIP Futures Value
Some NBA players naturally develop into the system they were drafted into. On the other side of that coin, though, are players who need a change of scenery or a new system to reach their full potential. Recently, the players who move teams early in their careers have become consistent candidates for Most Improved Player.
Offseason moves are exciting for NBA fans, but sharp bettors know how to capitalize on them. If a sharp bettor identifies a player as someone who will be getting extended minutes and a new role, they may be able to find value in that person for the MIP market.
Since 2017-18, five of the eight Most Improved Player winners have been in their first or second season with a new team. This trend started with Victor Oladipo, who was acquired by the Pacers before the 2017-18 season. After opening with (+2500) odds to win the award, he took it home.
Most recently, this trend produced another winner in 2025, as Dyson Daniels saw a spike in minutes and usage during his transition out of New Orleans and into Atlanta. As a result, Daniels secured the award after opening at (+6600). The value of these change-of-scenery candidates can certainly be there; it’s just a matter of identifying the right ones.
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