There appears to be a two-man race for the NBA Most Improved Player award. Cade Cunningham (-120) and Norman Powell (+110) are the betting favorites when looking at NBA Most Improved Player odds boards.
However, the bottom of the leaderboard has taken a hit after Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Below are more NBA odds for Most Improved Player.
NBA Most Improved Player odds
Here is a glance at NBA Most Improved Player odds with the Pistons' Cade Cunningham (-120) as the current favorite.
| Player |  |
|---|---|
 Cade Cunningham |
-120 |
 Norman Powell |
+110 |
 Tyler Herro |
+1500 |
 Amen Thompson |
+4500 |
 Christian Braun |
+5500 |
 Dyson Daniels |
+6000 |
 Evan Mobley |
+6000 |
 Jalen Williams |
+7500 |
 Max Christie |
+10000 |
NBA Most Improved Player opening odds
Below is look at NBA Most Improved Player opening odds. Victor Wembanyama opened as the betting favorite.
- Victor Wembanyama (+750)
- Evan Mobley (+1100)
- Jonathan Kuminga (+1400)
- Josh Giddy (+1700)
- Jalen Williams (+1700)
- Scottie Barnes (+1800)
- Jalen Johnson (+1800)
- Cade Cunningham (+2000)
- Immanuel Quickley (+2500)
- Coby White (+3000)
Most Improved Player favorites
Here is a look at NBA Most Improved Player betting favorites.
Cade Cunningham (-120)
Cunningham appeared in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time. The Pistons guard is averaging 25.4 points and 9.4 assists per game this season.
Norman Powell (+110)
Powell is 31-years-old and is just now finding his groove as an elite talent in the NBA. He is shooting 42.8% from downtown this season and is averaging 24.2 points per game.
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Understanding NBA Most Improved Player odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2022-23's MIP race as an example:
As the season progressed, with Lauri Markkanen having been a big favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number:
- Lauri Markkanen -200
This means that a bettor needs to wager $200 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +650
Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
Popular NBA futures markets
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NBA MIP betting trends
Here are some trends you'll want to consider when betting on NBA Most Improved Player futures:
- Forwards have won 13 of the past 20 MIP awards.
- No true center has won since Jermaine O'Neal in 2002.
- MIP has tended to favor players making "the leap" to stardom recently. Nine of the past 10 winners have averaged 20.0 ppg or more.
- In a very weird coincidence, an Orlando Magic player has won MIP four times since 1999, and each time, an Indiana Pacer has won the award the following year.
How is NBA Most Improved Player decided?
The NBA Most Improved Player Award is bestowed upon the player who has demonstrated a significant improvement in performance from the previous season. This improvement is evaluated based on the following key criteria:
Statistical improvement
Consideration is given to notable increases in key statistical categories, including traditional box score stats, shooting efficiency, and the various advanced metrics.
Role expansion or redefinition
Consideration will be given to players who have taken on new roles, and significantly expanded their responsibilities, thereby positively impacting their team.
Consistency and sustainability
The improvement should be consistent and sustained throughout the season, rather than a short-term surge in performance. Candidates should demonstrate their enhanced production over a substantial portion of the regular season.
Impact on team success
The player's improvement should directly contribute to the overall success and performance of their team. Factors such as wins, team rankings, and positive influence on team chemistry can be taken into account.
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NBA Most Improved Player history
| Year | NBA Most Improved Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Tyrese Maxey |
| 2022-23 | Lauri Markkanen |
| 2021-22 | Ja Morant |
| 2020-21 | Julius Randle |
| 2019-20 | Brandon Ingram |
| 2018-19 | Pascal Siakam |
| 2017-18 | Victor Oladipo |
| 2016-17 | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2015-16 | CJ McCollum |
| 2014-15 | Jimmy Butler |
NBA Most Improved Player odds FAQ
Tyrese Maxey of the 76ers won the 2024 MIP. No player has ever won in consecutive seasons.
The Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic have both had five players win MIP.
