Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire
The Most Improved Player award in the NBA is one of the most interesting accolades a player can receive. While the rest of the awards handed out in the league have stats that can help narrow the field, the MIP can either be an award that has a very clear-cut winner or, like this past season, it can be given to a player like Tyrese Maxey. Many could argue that Maxey has been playing at an equally as strong level over the past two seasons, but that is one of the reasons why betting on this award can be difficult.
As we enter the 2024-25 season, a group of skilled big men sit at the top of the odds board, headlined by Victor Wembenyama. Down below, we'll break down the best price NBA bettors can get for the top candidates for this award.
Player | FanDuel | DraftKings | BetMGM | Bet365 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Victor Wembenyama | +1100 | +900 | +900 | +1000 |
Jonathan Kuminga | +1000 | +1400 | +1100 | +1100 |
Evan Mobley | +1100 | +1200 | +1100 | +1200 |
Jalen Williams | +1500 | +2000 | +2000 | +1600 |
Scottie Barnes | +1500 | +1600 | +1800 | +1400 |
Josh Giddey | +1500 | +2500 | +1800 | +1800 |
Immanuel Quickley | +1500 | +2500 | +1800 | +2000 |
Paolo Banchero | +2000 | +3500 | +2200 | +2500 |
Cade Cunningham | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
Brandin Podziemski | +3000 | +1400 | +2500 | +2000 |
*odds as of July 16, 2024
Victor Wembenyama (+900 to +1100): For NBA fans who don't root for the Spurs, the thought of Wembenyama improving is scary, but in reality, everyone knows it's going to be the case. In his rookie season filled with high expectations, Wembenyama averaged 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game on the way to the Rookie of the Year award and a 1st All-Defensive Team member.
In reality, those accolades are only the tip of the iceberg for Wembenyama, as it's expected that he will be more aggressive offensively this season. With a full year in the league under his belt and the training wheels off, Wembenyama will likely remain towards the top of the odds board for most, if not all, season.
Jonathan Kuminga (+1000 to +1400): The Golden State Warriors that fans got to know over the past decade is no longer. With Klay Thompson gone and Draymond Green towards the tail end of his career, the time is now for Kuminga to develop into the player that Golden State has been hoping for. While the third-year power forward did take a big step this past season averaging a career-high in PPG (16.1) and TRB (4.8), those numbers could be even higher this season with an expanded role.
Evan Mobley (+1100 to +1200): If the Cleveland Cavaliers ever want to break through in the Eastern Conference, then Evan Mobley will need to reach a new level. After an incredibly promising sophomore season in the NBA, Mobley took a step back, primarily due to the fact that he was only able to play in 50 games. The former USC product has already proven he can be a force on the defensive end, but most people believe there is more in the tank offensively for him, which, if that is the case, he could be a good player to track in this market throughout the season.
Season | Player | Team |
---|---|---|
2023-24 | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers |
2022-23 | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz |
2021-22 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies |
2020-21 | Julius Randle | New York Knicks |
2019-20 | Brandon Ingram | New Orleans Pelicans |
2018-19 | Pascal Siakim | Toronto Raptors |
2017-18 | Victor Oladipo | Indiana Pacers |
2016-17 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
2015-16 | CJ McCollum | Portland Trail Blazers |
2014-15 | Jimmy Butler | Chicago Bulls |