In recent years, the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award has been awarded to some of the top players in the game, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Ja Morant, and more.
Last season, Utah Jazz center Lauri Markkanen joined that talented group after averaging 25.6 points per game, a nearly 11-point improvement from his prior season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Which player will make a similar leap next season? Let’s delve into the 2024 NBA Most Improved Player Award odds and make some predictions.
NBA Most Improved Player Award Betting Odds
NBA betting odds used for these predictions are from Wednesday, June 28, and provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Mikal Bridges (+700)
- Austin Reaves (+1000)
- Cade Cunningham (+1300)
- Alperen Şengün (+1600)
- Scottie Barnes (+1800)
- Josh Giddey (+2000)
- Shaedon Sharpe (+2200)
- Paolo Banchero (+2200)
- Jalen Williams (+2200)
- Walker Kessler (+2500)
- Immanuel Quickley (+2800)
- Keegan Murray (+3000)
- Desmond Bane (+3000)
- Deni Avdija (+3000)
- Jordan Poole (+3000)
NBA Most Improved Player Award Best Bet
Austin Reaves (+1000)
The Lakers guard became a household name in the playoffs, helping Los Angeles reach the Western Conference Finals with savvy playmaking and outstanding perimeter shooting.
Reaves shot over 44% from three-point range in the playoffs and averaged 16.9 points per game, almost four more than he netted during the regular season.
While his ceiling is likely limited by the presence of Anthony Davis and LeBron James (assuming the latter doesn’t retire), Reaves could still carve out a role as the team’s starting point guard and put up sizable point and assist totals to take home this award.
NBA Most Improved Player Award Betting Favorite
Mikal Bridges (+700)
Bridges is the betting favorite to earn Most Improved Player honors, and for good reason.
After being traded from Phoenix to Brooklyn last season, the Villanova product averaged a career-high 26.1 points per game. Over the previous two-and-a-half seasons with the Suns, he averaged closer to 15 a night.
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While his usage rate increased significantly as the Nets’ top scoring threat, he continued to play efficient basketball, shooting 47% from the field and 37% from deep.
If he can sustain his recent level of play over 70-plus games and earn his first All-Star selection in 2024, there’s a good chance he picks up this hardware too.
NBA Most Improved Player Award Contender
Cade Cunningham (+1300)
Cunningham played just 12 games last season after suffering a shin injury that ultimately required surgery.
His absence was clearly felt by Detroit, which finished with the worst record in the league at 17-65.
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However, Cunningham is more than capable of making up for lost time. The former No. 1 overall pick led the Pistons in points (17.4) and assists (5.6) as a rookie and was slashing 20/6/6 in the early stages of last season.
If he can become a more consistent three-point shooter, add some scoring, and bring Detroit back toward the Play-In Tournament places, he could be the first Piston to win this award.
NBA Most Improved Player Award Sleeper
Jordan Poole (+3000)
As is the case with most NBA awards, there needs to be a narrative for voters to buy into.
Poole has a pretty obvious one after being cast out by the dynastic Warriors this summer, just eight months after signing a four-year contract extension with Golden State.
Now on a Washington team that just traded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis and could move on from free agent Kyle Kuzma, Poole finds himself as the lead dog.
While efficiency isn’t his strongest suit, Poole can score at will, having averaged a career-best 20.4 points per game last season as the team’s third option.
With the Washington offense expected to run through him, that number should increase significantly next season. At 30-1 odds, Poole is a long shot worth diving into.