NBA Most Improved Player Odds 2026: Nembhard, Mathurin Among Favorites With Haliburton Injured
With All-Star Tyrese Haliburton set to miss the entire 2025-26 season, two Indiana Pacers rank in the top three of the NBA Most Improved Player odds.
That includes current favorite Andrew Nembhard (+1200) and third-ranked Bennedict Mathurin (+1800). Sandwiched in-between them is the Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija at +1400, while twins Amen and Ausar Thompson round out the top five (both +2000).
My best bet to win the award as part of our NBA picks targets one of those Thompson brothers.
📊 NBA Most Improved Player odds 2025-26
🏆 NBA Most Improved Player odds favorite
🟡 Andrew Nembhard, Pacers (+1200)
The basketball world outside of Indiana (and his home country of Canada) was properly introduced to Nembhard during the Pacers' run to the NBA Finals last season.
The two-way guard elevated his game in the playoffs with countless clutch plays on both ends of the court. Now with Haliburton missing the upcoming campaign, the Pacers will rely more heavily on Nembhard to consistently drive the offense while shutting down opposing backcourts.
Nembhard improved on nearly every major statistical category in the playoffs last year compared to the regular season; the question is whether he can continue that elevated play over the course of an entire campaign.
Most notably, he's hit an incredible 47.3% of his 3-point attempts across the last two postseasons - a far cry from his career 33.5% rate from long range in the regular season. If we see playoff Nembhard throughout 2025-26, he'll certainly be a contender to take home the Most Improved Player award.
His +1200 odds translate to an implied probability of 7.69%, while a $10 bet would net a $120 profit.
👀 My NBA Most Improved Player prediction & best bet
🚀 Amen Thompson, Rockets (+2000)
Amen Thompson has already established himself as one of the league's best defenders as an All-Defensive first-team selection in just his second NBA season. He's also on one of the league's up-and-coming contending teams, the Houston Rockets, with future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant now aboard to help shoulder the offensive load alongside All-Star Alperen Sengun.
The offensive end is where Thompson will have to improve.
If he can increase his 14.1 points-per-game average from last year while maintaining his elite defense, Thompson could be in line for his first All-Star Game selection - a common benchmark for Most Improved Player award winners.
Thompson's +2000 odds translate to an implied probability of 4.76%. A $10 bet would profit $200.
🔢 NBA Most Improved Player opening odds
Odds via FanDuel.
- Andrew Nembhard: +900
- Deni Avdija: +1200
- Bennedict Mathurin: +1600
- Ausar Thompson: +1600
- Amen Thompson: +2000
- Shaedon Sharpe: +2500
- Matas Buzelis: +2500
- Jaden Ivey: +2500
- Jonathan Kuminga: +3000
- Josh GIddey: +3000
- Michael Porter: +3000
- Payton Pritchard: +3000
- Scoot Henderson: +3500
- Derrick White: +3500
- Brandon Miller: +3500
🏅 NBA Most Improved Player past winners
| Year | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks |
| 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 favorite to win NBA Most Improved Player?
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard is the favorite to win the 2025-25 NBA Most Improved Player award at +1200 odds.
Who won NBA Most Improved Player last year?
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels won NBA Most Improved Player after averaging 14.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, and leading the NBA with thee steals per game.
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
(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 Articles
