NBA Coach of the Year Odds 2025: Udoka Opens as Favorite Over Mazzulla
The NBA Coach of the Year award can be a tough market to bet into, and there's no better example than seeing Ime Udoka open as the favorite by the NBA Coach of the Year odds across our top NBA betting sites.
Despite leading the Boston Celtics to their first title in over a decade, Joe Mazzulla sits behind his predecessor in Udoka, who went 41-41 with the Rockets and missed the NBA Play-In Tournament last season.
The Celtics are even the clear favorites by the NBA championship odds, with the Rockets nowhere in sight. But that's why it's important to remember this award is more about improvement than actually competing for the title.
Last year, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault won it after earning the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record. That was a 17-game improvement over the year before, when the Thunder were the No. 9 seed and in the Play-In Tournament.
So can Udoka do enough in the West to elevate Houston and win the award?
NBA Coach of the Year odds 2025
(NBA Coach of the Year odds from our best sports betting apps as of Aug. 15 | 🔥 = best odds | ❄️ = worst odds)
| Coach | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ime Udoka | +900 | +850 | +850 | +800 ❄️ | +900 |
| Joe Mazzulla | +1000 ❄️ | +1500 | +1600 🔥 | +1500 | +1200 |
| Jamahl Mosley | +1000 | +1500 🔥 | +1200 | +1100 | +900 ❄️ |
| Nick Nurse | +1200 🔥 | +1000 | +1100 | +1000 | +1100 |
| Tom Thibodeau | +1300 🔥 | +850 | +900 | +850 | +900 |
| Mark Daigneault | +1300 | +1200 | +1300 | +1500 🔥 | +1200 |
| Taylor Jenkins | +1400 🔥 | +900 | +900 | +900 | +1000 |
| Erik Spoelstra | +1400 ❄️ | +2500 🔥 | +1600 | +2000 | +1800 |
| Chris Finch | +1400 | +1300 | +1400 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Michael Malone | +1800 | +3000 🔥 | +1800 | +1800 | +2000 |
2025 NBA Coach of the Year favorite
Ime Udoka (+900)
In his lone season in charge of the Celtics, Udoka went 51-31 and reached the NBA Finals. We know he's capable of getting the best out of his roster, but it's not going to be easy for the Rockets to make the jump in the West.
For Udoka to win the award, Houston likely needs to finish as a top-six team in the West and earn a playoff spot. And that's entirely possible with the way the Rockets looked at times last season - they went 13-2 in March.
Obviously, Udoka will need Alperen Sengun to return to form as he comes back from his ankle injury on top of Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, and Jabari Smith Jr. continuing to develop. But this roster is strong on paper with those four young guns on top of veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.
Depth will be the name of the game for Houston, though, if it hopes to compete in the Southwest division.
Not only do the Rockets have to deal with NBA MVP odds favorite Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, but the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans should be threats as long as Ja Morant and Zion Williamson are healthy.
Oh yeah, and the San Antonio Spurs have the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds favorite in Victor Wembanyama, who is my candidate to watch in the MVP race.
The key to Udoka taking home the award could be No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard and last year's No. 4 pick Amen Thompson. If Sheppard lives up to the hype and Thompson improves his shooting, this could be one of the most exciting teams in the NBA.
For now, at this price, I'd avoid backing Udoka. While a $90 profit on a $10 bet sounds nice, there's a better candidate with longer odds.
Best odds: +900 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 10%
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My NBA Coach of the Year candidate to watch
Jamahl Mosley (+1500)
If we're looking for this year's Daigneault, look no further than Jamahl Mosley, as the Orlando Magic's bench boss is perfectly positioned to help Orlando finish as a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.
Similarly to Daigneault, he's helped take a team that's disappointed for years and turned it into a playoff caliber squad. And like Daigneault, he's been in charge through the whole rebuild.
In Mosley's first two seasons, the Magic went just 56-108 and were in the bottom two of the Southeast division both years - a division that's home to the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets.
The improvements started to come last year as Mosley led Orlando to its first division title since 2018. Now, this roster looks ready to take another step and help Mosley win NBA Coach of the Year in the process.
Not only do the Magic have the benefit of playing in arguably the worst division in the NBA, they also have a young roster full of players who keep getting better.
Paolo Banchero is an All-Star; Franz Wagner looks ready to become one of the best No. 2 options in the NBA; and Jalen Suggs is one of the top defensive guards in the league. Plus, there's depth with players like Jonathan Isaac, Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Mosley has a defensive juggernaut that should win 50 games for the first time since 2010. And if he wins NBA Coach of the Year, a $10 bet pays a $150 profit.
Best odds: +1500 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 6.25%
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NBA Coach of the Year odds over time
Odds via DraftKings.
| Coach | Opening odds (Aug. 15, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Ime Udoka | +900 |
| Joe Mazzulla | +1000 |
| Jamahl Mosley | +1000 |
| Nick Nurse | +1200 |
| Tom Thibodeau | +1300 |
| Mark Daigneault | +1300 |
| Taylor Jenkins | +1400 |
| Erik Spoelstra | +1400 |
| Chris Finch | +1400 |
| Michael Malone | +1800 |
| JJ Redick | +1800 |
| Gregg Popovich | +1800 |
| Mike Budenholzer | +2200 |
| Willie Green | +2500 |
| Rick Carlisle | +2500 |
| Jason Kidd | +2500 |
| Kenny Atkinson | +2500 |
| Doc Rivers | +3000 |
| Steve Kerr | +3000 |
| Mike Brown | +3500 |
Past NBA Coach of the Year winners
| Year | Name | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Mark Daigneault | Oklahoma City Thunder | +700 |
| 2022-23 | Mike Brown | Sacramento Kings | +8000 |
| 2021-22 | Monty Williams | Phoenix Suns | +1200 |
| 2020-21 | Tom Thibodeau | New York Knicks | +8000 |
| 2019-20 | Nick Nurse | Toronto Raptors | +2000 |
| 2018-19 | Mike Budenholzer | Milwaukee Bucks | +1100 |
| 2017-18 | Dwane Casey | Toronto Raptors | +3000 |
How to bet on NBA Coach of the Year
Betting on NBA Coach of the Year odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering NBA Coach of the Year futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Coach A has +300 odds and Coach B has +700, Player A is favored to win.
Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Coach 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 Coach of the Year chances.
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 Coach of the Year odds
Reading NBA Coach of the Year odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of winning the Coach of the Year award. NBA Coach of the Year odds are typically presented in American odds.
These use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a coach's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the coach wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.
When reading NBA Coach of the Year 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 Coach of the Year odds.
It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that Coach of the Year 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 Coach of the Year FAQs
Who is the NBA Coach of the Year favorite?
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka opened as the favorite by the NBA Coach of the Year odds. His odds are as short as +800, implying an 11.11% win probability.
Who won the NBA Coach of the Year last year?
Mark Daigneault won the NBA Coach of the Year award after leading the Thunder to a 57-25 record and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
When will the NBA Coach of the Year be decided?
With the 2023-24 award announced on Sunday, April 28, during the NBA playoffs, we can expect next year's award to be decided at a similar time.
What is the NBA Coach of the Year trophy called?
The NBA Coach of the Year trophy is named the Red Auerbach Trophy after the Boston Celtics legend who won nine NBA championships.
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