NBA Most Improved Player Odds 2025: Cunningham Clear Favorite Over Norman Powell
After opening the season as one of the NBA Most Improved Player odds favorites, Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham is beginning to run away with the race.
Cunningham is minus money at our best sports betting sites and only three other players are shorter than 25/1 as the NBA gets past the midway point of the season.
While there's still time for Norman Powell, Evan Mobley, and Tyler Herro to catch him, this is Cunningham's award to lose.
NBA Most Improved Player odds 2025
Live NBA Most Improved Player odds from our best NBA betting sites.
- Cade Cunningham: After opening at +2000 heading into his fourth season, Cunningham's odds have shortened drastically with the Pistons pushing toward their first playoff berth since 2018
- Norman Powell: The oldest player of the remaining contenders at 31, Powell is having his most impressive season as a pro after finishing fourth in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds race each of the last two seasons
- Evan Mobley: Thanks to Mobley upping his game on both ends of the court, the Cleveland Cavaliers are among the NBA championship odds favorites
- Tyler Herro: While the Jimmy Butler saga has overshadowed Herro's impressive season, he's carried the Heat's struggling offense
NBA Most Improved Player favorite 2025
Cade Cunningham Most Improved Player odds (-140)
The former No. 1 pick has taken a noticeable leap in each of the last two years after missing most of his second season in the NBA with an injury. Last year, Cunningham was one of just five players in the league to average 20-plus points and 7.5-plus assists, and this season he's been an even better facilitator and scorer.
The Oklahoma State product is one of just two players putting up 24-plus points and nine-plus assists per game, and he has the Pistons in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. By next month these odds could be drastically shorter, but for now they pay a $7.14 profit on a $10 winning bet.
Best odds: -140 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 58.33%
Terms and conditions apply.
My NBA Most Improved Player odds contender to watch
Evan Mobley Most Improved Player odds (+650)
While I ultimately don't think either of them will beat Cunningham out for the award, I would be more willing to back Mobley than Powell. I have a hard time seeing voters picking a 31-year-old that's previously averaged 17-plus points per game in three separate seasons for teams that reached the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Mobley is having the best season of his four-year career and is the defensive anchor for the best team in the Eastern Conference. He's also top 20 in the NBA in win shares this season while Powell doesn't even rank in the top 35.
Best odds: +650 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 13.33%
New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of $5+ and win $200 in Bonus Bets, if your bet wins. (within 72 hours).
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 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 |
NBA Most Improved Player FAQs
Who is the NBA Most Improved Player favorite?
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is the betting favorite (-140) to win the 2025 NBA Most Improved Player Award. Those odds imply a 58.33% probability that he'll win the award, according to our odds calculator.
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.
When will NBA Most Improved Player be decided next year?
With the 2023-24 award announced on Tuesday, April 23 during the NBA playoffs, we can expect next year's award to be decided at a similar time.
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
Here are our best NBA Betting Sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(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 pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
Related Articles
