NBA Most Improved Player Odds 2025: Dyson Daniels Beats Out Zubac, Cunningham

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels took home NBA Most Improved Player over Ivica Zubac and Cade Cunningham.
NBA Most Improved Player Odds 2025
Pictured: Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniel against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham. Photo by Dale Zanine via Imagn Images.

Thanks to a late push, Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (-1200) closed as the NBA Most Improved Player odds favorite at our best sports betting sites before being officially crowned the winner.

While Daniels was more than deserving, it would have been a surprise to hear he won two months ago after Cade Cunningham had been sitting among the top two in the race for much of the season. The Detroit Pistons star didn't even end up finishing second, with Los Angeles Clippers big man Ivica Zubac surprisingly receiving the second-most first-place votes (23) behind Daniels' 44.  

📊 NBA Most Improved Player odds results 2025

🏆 NBA Most Improved Player odds winner 2025

🦅 Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

Despite trailing Cunningham and Norman Powell for much of the season, Daniels pulled away over the last month and a half while ending up closing as the runaway favorite before being crowned the winner by a landslide. It's no surprise either when you consider he went from averaging 5.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.4 SPG with the New Orleans Pelicans last year to putting up 14.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 3.0 SPG this season for the Hawks.

Daniels saw his win shares this season (5.0) nearly double from last yar (2.9). The difference on the defensive end was stark when you consider he finished 17th in defensive win shares this season (3.7) after being 82nd last year (2.2).

🔢 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

💡 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 FAQs

Who won NBA Most Improved Player?

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.

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.

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

🏀 Best NBA betting sites

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