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NBA Coach of the Year Odds, Predictions & Picks 2026: J.B. Bickerstaff Solidifies His Favorite Status

Updated: April 6, 2026, 05:53 AM ET
7 min read

The NBA Coach of the Year award is an annual honor presented to the head coach who has made the most significant impact on their team's success during the regular season. The winner receives the Red Auerbach Trophy, named after the legendary Boston Celtics coach who led his franchise to nine championships.

The current reigning Coach of the Year is Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won the 2024–25 award after leading his team to a 64–18 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference in his first season with the franchise.

NBA Coach of the Year Odds

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Join FanDuel today and claim your welcome bonus: Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets.

NBA Coach of the Year CandidatesOdds
J.B. Bickerstaff (Pistons)-300
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Joe Mazzulla (Celtics)+250
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Mitch Johnson (Spurs)+2500
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Charles Lee (Hornets)+25000
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Quin Snyder (Hawks)+5000
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NBA Coach of the Year - My Pick

J.B. Bickerstaff (-300) at FanDuel Sportsbook

J.B. Bickerstaff is a premier candidate for NBA Coach of the Year primarily due to his transformative impact on the Detroit Pistons. After inheriting a team that finished with a league-worst 14–68 record in 2024, Bickerstaff spearheaded a historic turnaround, leading Detroit to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2025–26 season.

His case is bolstered by a top-tier defensive identity and the rapid development of stars like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Historically, the award favors coaches who significantly exceed preseason expectations or lead a "worst-to-first" cultural shift; having finished as the runner-up in 2025, Bickerstaff now possesses the narrative momentum and elite win total typically required to secure the honor.

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NBA Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson

How to Bet on the NBA Coach of the Year Winner

Betting on this season’s NBA Coach of the Year winner is a quick and easy process, but it can be hard for new bettors to understand.

Start by visiting BetMGM or your favorite sportsbook. Navigate to the NBA page, where there will be a tab labeled “Futures”. Look for the “Awards” category, and you will find the odds for this one.

We always recommend spending time researching NBA future bets before you place them. Even a small amount of time spent on looking at stats, trends, and other news can make a massive difference in the bottom line of any bettor. 

How to Read NBA Coach of the Year Odds

Reading the odds for the NBA Coach of the Year works the same as your standard sports bets.

When reading odds from a sportsbook, you’ll see numbers with a (+) or (-) in front of them. The plus sign means that you will win the number after it when betting $100. If the number has a minus sign, you need to bet that amount to win $100. 

If you find the words “EVEN” or “PICK,” it means that no spread is available for that game. This is usually reserved for close games where bookmakers aren’t willing to establish either team as a favorite.

Where to Bet on the NBA Coach of the Year

The NBA Coach of the Year is one of the newest awards in the league, making it hard to gauge who will win this season. While that can make betting tricky, it also makes it difficult for bookmakers to set odds, which can lead to larger payouts.

We like to use BetMGM Sportsbook when betting on the NBA Coach of the Year. The Vegas-based gambling giant offers one of the best NBA betting experiences in the industry, offering competitive odds and fantastic promotions for existing customers. All new users who sign up with our promo code WSNSPORTS can claim this welcome offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

If you're looking for a smaller platform, we recommend checking out bet365 Sportsbook. New customers who sign up with our promo code WSN365 will get: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose. While smaller than the industry leaders, bet365 has been growing fast as more bettors seek alternatives to larger platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel.

*21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.

NBA Coach of the Year History

The NBA launched the Most Coach of the Year award in 1963, with Harry Gallatin of the St. Louis Hawks winning it. The Cleveland Cavaliers' Kenny Atkinson won the award last season, marking his first win.

Below is a list of the NBA Coach of the Year from the previous ten seasons. 

Year NBA Coach of the Year
2024-25 Kenny Atkinson 
2023-24 Mark Daignesult (OKC)
2022-23 Mike Brown
2021-22 Monty Williams
2020-21 Tom Thibodeau
2019-20 Nick Nurse
2018-19 Mike Budenholzer
2017-18 Dwane Casey
2016-17 Mike D’Antoni
2015-16 Steve Kerr

NBA Coach of the Year FAQs

Who was the NBA Coach of the Year in 2024-25?

When will the NBA Coach of the Year be announced?

How Is the NBA Coach of the Year selected?

Does the NBA Coach of the Year receive a prize?

Who has won NBA Coach of the Year multiple times?

How many NBA Coach of the Year winners are in the Basketball Hall of Fame?

Has a non-American coach ever won Coach of the Year?

Which team has never produced a Coach of the Year winner?

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Michael Savio WSN Contributors

Michael Savio

Sports Betting Analyst

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Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid and has turned that into a successful career. He cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams along with his Alma Mater Arizona State. He specializes in baseball betting, but has experience in football, basketball, and hockey as well. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children.
Email: michael.savio@wsn.com
Nationality: American
Education: Bachelor of Political Science
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Experience: 3 years
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