NBA Most Improved Player Odds 2025: Cunningham Holds Slight Lead Over Powell
After looking like Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham would lock up the award before the All-Star break, Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell has turned the NBA Most Improved Player odds race into a legit battle.
Powell was as long as +450 at our best sports betting sites not long ago but has slowly chipped away at his odds with several 26-plus-point performances in recent weeks.
Despite his explosive play, Cunningham remains a minus-money odds favorite in what's shaping up to be a two-man race.
NBA Most Improved Player odds 2025
Live NBA Most Improved Player odds from our best NBA betting sites.
- After opening at +2000 heading into his fourth season, Cunningham's odds have shortened drastically, with the Pistons pushing toward their first playoff berth since 2018-19
- The oldest player of the remaining contenders at 31, Powell is having his most impressive season as a pro after finishing fourth in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds race each of the last two seasons
- While the Jimmy Butler saga has overshadowed Tyler Herro's impressive season, the latter has carried the Heat's struggling offense
- Amen Thompson has taken his game up a notch on both ends of the court as a key player for the Houston Rockets in his second NBA season
- Thanks to Mobley upping his game on both ends of the court, the Cleveland Cavaliers are among the NBA championship odds favorites
NBA Most Improved Player favorites 2025
Cade Cunningham Most Improved Player odds (-120)
The former No. 1 pick has taken a noticeable leap in each of the last two years after missing most of his second season in the NBA with an injury. Last year, Cunningham was one of just five players in the league to average 20-plus points and 7.5-plus assists, and this season, he's been an even better facilitator and scorer.
The Oklahoma State product is one of just two players putting up 24-plus points and nine-plus assists per game, and he has the Pistons in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. By next month these odds could be drastically shorter, but for now they pay a $8.33 profit on a $10 winning bet.
Best odds: -120 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 54.55%
Norman Powell Most Improved Player odds (+135)
Not long ago it looked like Powell would secede to Cunningham as his NBA Most Improved Player odds slowly lengthened, but he's locked back in as of late. The 10-year veteran has broken a quieter stretch by going for 27-plus-points six times in January.
He's proven to be one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA this season, and the Clippers are alive and well in the Western Conference playoff race. Though Powell has resumed his stellar play, I'd still back Cunningham over him.
Best odds: +135 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 42.55%
How to bet on NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award
Betting on NBA Most Improved Player odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering NBA awards futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +700, Player A is favored to win.
Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Player A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on player performances throughout the season to gauge your bet’s potential.
Now, why do odds move in future markets? It’s all about performance and perception. If a player performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the player or their competitors can also significantly impact their chances of winning this award, as can changing expectations of players' improvement levels.
The success of the player’s team can improve their odds as well. Public betting trends play a role; if many people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk. Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, affecting the odds. Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially take advantage of favorable odds movements.
How to read NBA awards odds
Reading NBA awards odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of winning the award. NBA odds are typically presented in American odds.
These use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a player's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the player wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.
When reading NBA awards odds, lower odds indicate that a player has a higher probability of winning the award, while higher odds suggest that a player is considered less likely to win. Bettors should consider factors such as a player's performance, team success, and narrative appeal when evaluating these odds.
It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that odds can fluctuate throughout the season based on player performance, injuries, and other factors, so staying informed and monitoring odds changes can be crucial for making informed betting decisions.
NBA Most Improved Player opening odds
- Victor Wembanyama: +1000
- Evan Mobley: +1000
- Jonathan Kuminga: +1400
- Scottie Barnes: +1600
- Josh Giddey: +1700
- Jalen Williams: +2000
- Cade Cunningham: +2000
- Jalen Johnson: +2200
- Immanuel Quickley: +2500
- Brandin Podziemski: +2500
Past NBA Most Improved Player winners
| Year | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2023 | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz |
| 2022 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2021 | Julius Randle | New York Knicks |
| 2020 | Brandon Ingram | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 2019 | Pascal Siakam | Toronto Raptors |
| 2018 | Victor Oladipo | Indiana Pacers |
| 2017 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2016 | CJ McCollum | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2015 | Jimmy Butler | Chicago Bulls |
NBA Most Improved Player FAQs
Who is the NBA Most Improved Player favorite?
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is the betting favorite (-120) to win the 2025 NBA Most Improved Player Award. Those odds imply a 54.55% probability that he'll win the award, according to our odds calculator.
Who won NBA Most Improved Player last year?
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey won the NBA Most Improved Player award following the 2023-24 NBA season. He averaged 25.9 points and helped keep the Sixers' playoff hopes alive after the injury to former MVP winner Joel Embiid.
When will NBA Most Improved Player be decided next year?
With the 2023-24 award announced on Tuesday, April 23 during the NBA playoffs, we can expect next year's award to be decided at a similar time.
How is the Most Improved Player determined?
The winner of NBA Most Improved Player is selected by a panel of sportswriters throughout the United States and Canada. Writers vote for first, second, and third place, and each placing is worth points.
The player with the most total points is crowned the winner.
NBA betting odds pages
Here are our best NBA Betting Sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
Related Articles
