The 2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player odds feature a slew of good players, and some are already very good. But who will improve enough to win the award, and what is the best MIP prediction from a betting perspective?
I analyze the NBA MIP odds and break down the most likely winners. Keep reading until the end of this article for my best bet for the NBA Most Improved Player in the 2025-26 season.
2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player Odds
The NBA MIP betting odds below are courtesy of Lucky Rebel:
| PLAYER | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Deni Avdija (POR) | +225 |
| Jalen Duren (DET) | +420 |
| Austin Reaves (LAL) | +425 |
| Jalen Johnson (ATL) | +800 |
| Ryan Rollins (MIL) | +800 |
| Josh Giddey (CHI) | +875 |
| Bennedict Mathurin (IND) | +5000 |
| Keyonte George (UTA) | +5000 |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL) | +6000 |
| Dillon Brooks (PHX) | +6500 |
| Collin Gillespie (PHX) | +7000 |
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (+225) holds the best odds to win Most Improved Player as of mid-December. That’s enough to lead the field with a 30.8% implied probability, but the race is still wide open.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (+420) and LA Lakers guard Austin Reaves (+425) are also contenders for the award. Both Duren and Reaves started the season as longshots, but now have a respectable 19.2% and 19% chance, respectively.
Avdija’s odds for Most Improved Player have improved sharply, rising from a 6.3% probability at +1600 before the start of the season to 30.8% at his current odds. Beyond these three, the rest of the league’s MIP hopefuls face much longer odds at NBA betting sites.
You can find these 2025-26 NBA MIP odds at Lucky Rebel by heading to Sports > Basketball > NBA Awards > Most Improved Player of the Year.
The NBA Most Improved Player Betting Favorite
Let’s start by analyzing the player who is ahead of the pack in the 2025-26 NBA MIP odds!
Deni Avdija (+225)
Avdija was a revelation for the Trail Blazers last season, especially after the All-Star break. In 20 games, the Israeli forward averaged 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. He also shot 50.8% from the floor, including 41.7% from beyond the arc.
DENI. FREAKING. AVDIJA.
WOW!!! pic.twitter.com/poGbhNv3rX
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 27, 2025
In 2025-26, Avdija has established himself as one of the NBA’s top forwards. Although he has often been overlooked, it’s now impossible to ignore the 6’8” forward. With significant improvements on both offense and defense, Avdija is the clear frontrunner for Most Improved Player.
Through 24 games, Avdija is averaging 25.8 points per game on 47.8% shooting from the field, displaying his ability to score from all areas, including 38% shooting from three-point range.
He is one of the league’s most well-rounded players this season. Alongside his efficient scoring, Avdija is contributing 7.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
It’s easy to see why Avdija currently has the shortest odds to win the NBA MIP award.
Other NBA Most Improved Player Contenders
Next, let’s take a look at the next tier who give Avdija the closest competition, and options you could consider for your NBA Most Improved Player picks in 2025-26:
Jalen Duren (+420)
The Detroit Pistons are having their best season since their mid-2000s championship run. Currently, they rank first in the Eastern Conference with a 19-5 record, trailing only the OKC Thunder for the NBA’s best overall record.
Amid the Pistons’ success, Duren’s stellar play has flown under the radar. While Cade Cunningham leads Detroit, Duren’s impact in the frontcourt should not be overlooked.
The 6’10” Memphis Tigers alum has become a major force in his third season. His value grows with each game, as he averages 18.8 points per game on 65.5% shooting, making him a high-percentage scorer in the paint and a solid free-throw shooter at 75.4%.
HISTORY FOR JALEN DUREN 🙌 pic.twitter.com/A1n6o3YkVP
— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2025
Defensively, Duren has also excelled, recording 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. If Avdija goes cold, Duren could quickly become the frontrunner for NBA Most Improved Player in the second half.
Austin Reaves (+425)
Narrowly behind Duren, Austin Reaves is regarded as a contender for Most Improved Player. In his fifth year with the Lakers, Reaves has exploded offensively.
The 27-year-old guard has notched 28.4 points per game on 50.9% shooting. Last season, Reaves held his own, with 20.2 points on 46% shooting, but has elevated his game to the next level in 2025-26.
Reaves’ 20.2 points per game was a career-high for him, and he’s set to break that quite easily this season. He’s had some monster games in his resume, including 44 points versus the Toronto Raptors on December 4.
Austin Reaves: dawg, baller, & teammate. pic.twitter.com/l04LQJRBNW
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 29, 2025
From November 28 to December 5, Reaves scored at least 33 points in four of five games. He’s a hot commodity right now alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James. We’ll see if he can keep this red-hot pace up, but it’s been mightily impressive thus far.
Reaves has also been contributing in other ways, as he’s recorded 5.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. He’s also been a solid defender, with 1.1 steals per contest. All things considered, Reaves is a strong candidate to win MIP.
NBA Most Improved Player Betting Longshot
I have one player I’m keeping my eye on as a sleeper in these NBA MIP odds!
Bennedict Mathurin (+5000)
Indiana Pacers’ 23-year-old guard Bennedict Mathurin is getting incredible value at +5000 odds to win the NBA Most Improved Player award. Mathurin is having a standout season and arguably deserves a shorter price than what’s currently listed at online sportsbooks.
While it remains a longshot for Mathurin to win, a small wager at these odds could be worthwhile. The Canadian guard is averaging 21.5 points per game on 46% shooting, including 43% from three, along with 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
All of Mathurin’s stats are up from last season, when he averaged 16.1 points on 45.8% shooting. He’s playing with much more assertiveness and confidence in the backcourt. At +5000, Mathurin stands out as a strong candidate for one of the best 2025-26 NBA MIP betting picks!
NBA Most Improved Player Betting Pick and Prediction
I’m going to take the value and go with Deni Avdija as my 2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player betting prediction! If he continues to play in his current form, even though the Trail Blazers are struggling as a team, he’s a solid bet to take the MIP crown this season.
I don’t think he’ll be traded, as the Trail Blazers gave up a lot to get him, and should view him as an essential part of their future core.
I love Duren and Reaves in this spot, too, but I think it’s time that Avdija receives support from voters. For my preseason NBA MIP bet, I backed Avdija to win at +1600. Although that value isn’t around any longer, he remains a good option after a strong start to the season.
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