NBA Most Improved Player Odds, Predictions, Betting Picks 2024

Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz won the 2023 Most Improved Player Award. In his sixth professional season, Markkanen led his Utah Jazz to unprecedented success before faltering late and failing to qualify for the NBA Playoffs. The 7'0 Finn established himself as one of the most talented scorers in the NBA.

In 66 regular season appearances, his most since his rookie season, Markkanen posted averages of 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 49.9% from the field and 39.1% from three on 3.0 made per game.

Markkanen was the clear favorite to win the Most Improved Player Award in 2023, accumulating 69 first-place votes. He beat out runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who came second with 24 first-place votes but was later rewarded with a First Team All-NBA selection. Third was New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who earned four first-place votes.

The winner of the NBA's Most Improved Player Award is expected to be announced following the conclusion of the NBA regular season and the NBA Play-In tournament. Last year's Most Improved Player Award was presented by the winner's team while also being broadcast during an episode of Inside the NBA.

The winner of the NBA’s Most Improved Player does not receive a prize per se. In commemoration of their accomplishment, the award winner is written into NBA history as one of its most notable players.

The Most Improved Player Award tends to signal the growth of a player and who to expect more from as their career moves forward.

There have been 20 Most Improved Player winners who have become NBA All-Stars.

Alvin Robertson, Dana Barros, Tracy McGrady, Jermaine O'Neal, Danny Granger, Kevin Love, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Ja Morant won the award and became All-Star in the same season. 

Dale Ellis, Kevin Duckworth, Kevin Johnson, Gilbert Arenas, Zach Randolph, Goran Dragic, and Pascal Siakam became All-Stars in subsequent seasons after winning the award. 

Boris Diaw, Kevin Love, Pascal Siakam, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only winners who became NBA Champions. And Tracy McGrady is the only Most Improved Player winner to be named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame!

The NBA Most Improved Player Award is determined by a panel of sportswriters across the United States and Canada. Each panel member is allowed a first-, second-, and third-place vote worth 5, 3, and 1 point(s), respectively. The player with the highest point total wins the award.

There has never been a unanimous winner of the Most Improved Player award. Victor Oladipo and Julius Randle are the closest to being named unanimous winners, earning 99 and 98 first-place votes, respectively.

There have never been joint Most Improved Player winners, nor have any players won the award multiple times.

Six international players have been named the league's Most Improved Player. They are: Lauri Markkanen (2023) - Finland, Pascal Siakam (2019) - Cameroon, Giannis Antetokounmpo (2017) - Greece, Goran Dragic (2014) - Slovenia, Hedo Turkoglu (2008) - Turkey, Boris Diaw (2006) - France, and Gheroghe Muresan (1996) - Romania.

Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs was the first-ever Most Improved Player Award winner. In his second season, Robertson averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 steals per game after playing 82 games. Robertson became the 1986 Defensive Player of the Year, a six-time All-Defensive Team member, a four-time All-Star, and a three-time steals champion.

Most Improved Player of the Year Award winners have been distributed relatively evenly between guards and forwards, but forwards have the slight edge all-time. Forwards have won Most Improved Player of the Year 19 times, compared to guards, who have won 14 times, and centers, who have won just five times.

Monta Ellis, Tracy McGrady, and Gilbert Arenas are tied as the youngest winners of the Most Improved Player Award, all winning the prize at 21.

In 2007, Ellis won the award by averaging 16.5 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds - increasing his scoring average by almost ten points per game. 

In 2003, Arenas averaged 18.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game while starting all 82 games for the Golden State Warriors.

Lastly, in 2001, McGrady took on the role of the first option and averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while earning his first All-Star berth and leading the Orlando Magic back to the NBA Playoffs.

Darrell Armstrong of the Orlando Magic was the oldest player to win the Most Improved Player award. At 30 years old, Armstrong won the award in 1999 and cleared the next oldest winner by two years. Armstong averaged 16.2 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in a lockout-shortened season in his Most Improved Player winning season.

The Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic have won the Most Improved Player of the Year award more than any other team in NBA history. With five winners in franchise history, the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic have provided an excellent opportunity for players to flourish.
The players that have won Most Improved Player for the Indiana Pacers were: Victor Oladipo (2018), Paul George (2013), Danny Granger (2009), Jermaine O'Neal (2002), and Jalen Rose (2000). The players that have won Most Improved Player for the Orlando Magic were: Ryan Anderson (2012), Hedo Turkoglu (2008), Tracy McGrady (2001), Darrell Armstrong (1999), and Scott Skiles (1991).

Ten teams haven't produced a Most Improved Player winner: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Utah Jazz.