The odds for the Most Improved Player this season highlight a variety of talented individuals, some of whom are already excelling. However, which player is the most favorable choice for betting purposes?
In this article, I will evaluate the odds for the NBA MIP and assess the top contenders, particularly focusing on the two leading candidates. Continue reading for my top selection for the Most Improved Player during the 2024-25 season.
2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player Odds
The NBA MIP betting odds provided below are from Bovada :
| PLAYER | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Dyson Daniels (Hawks) | -550 |
| Cade Cunningham (Pistons) | +350 |
| Austin Reaves (Lakers) | +7000 |
| Tyler Herro (Heat) | +10000 |
| Christian Braun (Nuggets) | +10000 |
| Evan Mobley (Cavaliers) | +20000 |
Since March 24, Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels has seen an extraordinary shift, becoming the frontrunner for the NBA Most Improved Player award across various betting platforms. He is now overwhelmingly favored with an implied win probability of 84.6% , a remarkable rise from just 37% two weeks ago. The Hawks’ guard has showcased exceptional performance over the past month, partly aided by some fortune with injuries affecting his closest competitor.
On the flip side, Detroit's Cade Cunningham has experienced a significant fall in his odds, plummeting from -230 on March 24 to +350, largely due to a calf injury that sidelined him for about two weeks. Nevertheless, he still maintains a reasonable chance of winning at 22.2% . However, there might be some untapped investment potential in Cunningham's current odds!
It’s worth noting players like Austin Reaves (+7000) from the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver’s Christian Braun (+10000), Miami’s Tyler Herro (+10000), and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley (+20000). While it would be quite surprising if any of these players managed to surpass Daniels or Cunningham, their developments this season are commendable and should be acknowledged.
Our NBA Most Improved Player odds are sourced from Bovada , and you can explore them by visiting Sports > Basketball > NBA Awards and League Leaders > Most Improved Player .
Leading Contender for the NBA Most Improved Player Award
Let's begin by discussing the top contenders in the odds for the NBA Most Improved Player award for the 2024-25 season, starting with a player whose odds have significantly changed.
Dyson Daniels (-550)
Dyson Daniels is having an outstanding season; however, it’s puzzling to see why his odds for the 2025 NBA MIP have decreased so dramatically in just two weeks. During March, he excelled over 14 games with an average of 14.6 points and shot at 52.1%, in addition to securing 6.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 3.3 steals. The guard in his third year is beginning to advocate for the award as well.
When asked about the 'controversy' surrounding the Most Improved Player award, Hawks' Dyson Daniels shared his perspective on its criteria:
"The name speaks for itself… it’s about who improves the most… if there's an award that I genuinely feel I deserve, it would probably be this one...\" pic.twitter.com/CTdoxnpbOu
— JJ (@JameelahJNBA) April 7, 2025
Daniels has started March strongly, posting an average of 17.5 points with an impressive shooting percentage of 63.3% in four games, including 54.5% from three-point range, alongside 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals. He should also be considered in the NBA DPOY odds as he is performing 1.2 better than Denver's Nikola Jokic in the second position. Daniels’ 3.0 steals per game That said, I believe Daniels hasn’t changed his game significantly enough to warrant such a drastic shift in his odds. Thanks to his enhanced performance, the Hawks have secured a spot in the play-in round, but is that enough to secure the award for him?
has had an exceptional season and plays a critical role on a team that struggled with a record of 14-68 the previous season and hasn't seen playoff action since 2019. The Pistons aren’t just aiming for the play-in tournament, as they have already secured a spot within the top six, with fifth still within reach.
The Main Challenger
Cade Cunningham (+350)
On the other hand, Cunningham \"I truly believe I can become the best basketball player in the world. I’m on that journey. I want everyone to recognize that, and I strive to prove it every time I step onto the court.\"
There’s a prevailing notion that Cunningham, being a former #1 draft pick, was expected to perform at this level. However, it wasn’t until J.B. Bickerstaff took over in Cleveland that he began to flourish. The product of Oklahoma State ranks ninth in scoring (25.9 points) and fourth in assists (9.1), while also averaging an impressive 6.1 rebounds for a guard, along with 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks.
– Cade Cunningham
(Via @E_Woodyard ) pic.twitter.com/TK9VEZD1yh
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 2, 2025
Cunningham has maintained this high level of play throughout the season, whereas Daniels has shown gradual development. If anything, Cade has been performing even better since the All-Star break, despite his injury setback. The Pistons are likely to make a strong playoff push, predominantly due to their star guard's contributions.
Betting Prediction and Selection for the NBA Most Improved Player
Daniels certainly has a strong case for winning the award. Nevertheless, I've been supporting Cade Cunningham throughout most of the season regarding the NBA Most Improved Player odds. Now that he’s sitting at +350, I feel much more confident in finding value in this bet! While Daniels has had an impressive season after struggling in New Orleans and transitioning to Atlanta, I don't want to downplay his achievements this year.
The criteria for award selection can often feel subjective, but I’m looking at historical trends where players have gone on to become All-Stars. For instance, the last three recipients have been Tyrese Maxey from Philadelphia, Lauri Markkanen from Utah, and Ja Morant from Memphis. Based on this history, I’m sticking with Cade Cunningham as my prediction for the MIP, and I’m capitalizing on the advantage of his +350 odds!
Finn is a writer with over four years' experience contributing articles under the alias Phil Bowman. A devoted sports fan and bettor, he harbors a particular passion for soccer. However, he enjoys engaging with any sport involving a ball, bat, or boxing gloves! His writing primarily aims to help bettors learn from their experiences and gamble with caution. Currently, Finn resides in Europe.
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