NBA Coach of the Year Odds 2025: Atkinson Heavy Favorite Over Bickerstaff

It's getting late early with the NBA Coach of the Year odds race, as both J.B. Bickerstaff and Ime Udoka continue to trail Kenny Atkinson by a substantial margin at our NBA betting sites.
With Atkinson's Cleveland Cavaliers sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings, and looking like a legitimate NBA championship odds contender in his first season, both Bickerstaff and Udoka are way out of the picture at this point.
It's going to take the Houston Rockets or Detroit Pistons closing the year on a hot streak if either Udoka or Bickerstaff is going to come close to Atkinson.
NBA Coach of the Year odds 2025
(NBA Coach of the Year odds from FanDuel as of Feb. 12)
- Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers: -700 (bet $10 to win $1.43 profit)
- J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons: +900 (bet $10 to win $90 profit)
- Ime Udoka, Rockets: +2500 (bet $10 to win $250 profit)
- Mark Daigneault, Thunder: +2500 (bet $10 to win $250 profit)
- Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies: +300 (bet $10 to win $300 profit)
- JJ Redick, Lakers: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,500 profit)
- Joe Mazzulla, Celtics: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,500 profit)
- Tyronn Lue, Clippers: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,500 profit)
- Tom Thibodeau, Knicks: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,500 profit)
2025 NBA Coach of the Year favorite
Kenny Atkinson Coach of the Year odds (-700)
Cleveland brought in Atkinson to improve the offense, and it's safe to say he's done that and then some in his first campaign. The Cavaliers are first in the NBA in offensive rating and in points per game, second in field goal percentage, and first in 3-point percentage. They've been nothing short of brilliant on that end with the same core group of players.
Even if the Boston Celtics catch up to them in the standings, finishing second behind the defending champions would be enough to secure this award for Atkinson, who has worked wonders in Cleveland.
Best odds: -700 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 87.50%
My NBA Coach of the Year candidate to watch
Ime Udoka Coach of the Year odds (+2500)

The Rockets finished 41-41 under Udoka last season and missed the playoffs.
Now, Houston is vying for the West's No. 2 seed with the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers. Udoka's defensive teachings have helped transform one of the league's youngest squads. The Rockets rank fourth in defensive efficiency and sixth in points per game allowed, all with an average age of just over 26.
It'd take a perfect storm of Houston locking up the second seed in the West and Boston catching Cleveland in the East to even begin discussions about de-throning Atkinson for Coach of the Year. However, if this scenario plays out, Udoka has a much better chance to win than his +2500 odds at our best sportsbooks suggest.
Best odds: +2500 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 3.85%
NBA Coach of the Year opening odds
- 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
- JJ Redick: +1800
- Gregg Popovich: +1800
- Mike Budenholzer: +2200
- Willie Green: +2500
- Kenny Atkinson: +2500
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?
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson is the favorite. His -700 odds imply an 87.50% probability he'll win the award.
Who won the NBA Coach of the Year last year?
Mark Daigneault won the NBA Coach of the Year award last year 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?
We can expect this year's award to be decided at a similar time as last season's, which was on Sunday, April 28, during the NBA playoffs.
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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