2022 NBA Most Improved Player Predictions, Betting Odds, Picks
- Get the most recent 2022 NBA Most Improved Player odds!
- Check out our predictions for who will win the 2022 NBA Most Improved Player Award!
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With the NBA season back to an 82-game schedule, we are getting to see the full potential of the league’s players. We’ve seen some stellar jumps in play from some players, who are all in consideration for the Most Improved Player award!
2022 NBA Most Improved Player Odds
Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook
Player | Team | Odds |
Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | -650 BET NOW |
Miles Bridges | Charlotte Hornets | +750 BET NOW |
Darius Garland | Cleveland Cavaliers | +1200 BET NOW |
Dejounte Murray | San Antonio Spurs | +1600 BET NOW |
Anfernee Simons | Portland Trail Blazers | +3500 BET NOW |
Desmond Bane | Memphis Grizzlies | +6500 BET NOW |
Jarrett Allen | Cleveland Cavaliers | +7000 BET NOW |
Tyler Herro | Miami Heat | +15000 BET NOW |
Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | +15000 BET NOW |
Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves | +25000 BET NOW |
Every year the NBA’s Most Improved Player award is presented to a player who has shown an exceptional growth over one season. The NBA hopes to present the award at the annual NBA Awards show, which has been cancelled for the past two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Most Improved Player award is usually an indicator of the potential of one of the league’s more overlooked players. Many have gone on to build their career after winning the award, becoming All-Stars, NBA Champions, and even Hall of Famers!
Let’s answer some of the most important questions about the NBA Most Improved Player Award.
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Who is the Favorite to Win NBA Most Improved Player in 2022?
(G) Ja Morant – 6-3, 174 lb (190 cm, 78 kg) – United States
Season | Team | Age | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% |
20-21 | MEM | 21 | 63 | 32.6 | 19.1 | 4.0 | 7.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 | .449 | .303 |
21-22 | MEM | 22 | 46 | 33.2 | 26.8 | 5.8 | 7.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | .495 | .330 |
Stop it, @JaMorant pic.twitter.com/ddFsklYXju
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 21, 2022
Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant is the clear frontrunner to be the NBA’s Most Improved Player for 2022. After a stellar rookie campaign, Morant seems to have made the jump from prospect to superstar.
Despite having to take on more responsibility due to a change of personnel and injuries, Morant has thrived. After averaging just 19.1 points per game in his sophomore season, Morant has averaged 26.8 points, 6.9 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game through the first phase of the 2021-2022 season.
Morant’s personal success, combined with the fact that he’s led the Grizzlies to third in the West after 50 games, makes him a near shoe-in for the Most Improved Player award. Barring a drastic drop in form through the last phase of the season, Morant should be adding another award to his trophy cabinet.
Who Was the 2021 NBA Most Improved Player?
Relive Kia Most Improved Player Julius Randle’s fantastic season for the Knicks! #KiaMIP @nyknicks look to even the series 1-1 with a Game 2 win vs. Atlanta tonight at 7:30pm/et on TNT. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/x11Sd7L0D4
— NBA (@NBA) May 26, 2021
Julius Randle of the New York Knicks won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2021. After a career where Randle was figured to never meet his potential, Randle led the Knicks to the 2021 Playoffs with the best season of his career.
Randle was an all-around threat in his Most Improved Player winning season. He averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 71 games with the New York Knicks.
The NBA’s voting panel almost unanimously voted Randle in as Most Improved Player of the Year. He accumulated 98.0 of a possible 100 first place votes, with Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant coming in second with 2.0 first place votes.
When Will the NBA Most Improved Player be Announced?
The winner of the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award is expected to be announced following the conclusion of the NBA Finals, at the annual NBA Awards. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the last two NBA Awards shows were cancelled.
Prior to the introduction of the NBA Awards, the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award was given at the end of the NBA’s regular season. The award ceremony tended to take place on an off day during the NBA Playoffs, or prior to a game that they were participating in.
NBA Most Improved Player by Year
Year | Player | Team | Nationality |
2021 | Julius Randle | New York Knicks | United States |
2020 | Brandon Ingram | New Orleans Pelicans | United States |
2019 | Pascal Siakam | Toronto Raptors | Cameroon |
2018 | Victor Oladipo | Indiana Pacers | United States |
2017 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | Greece |
2016 | CJ McCollum | Portland Trail Blazers | United States |
2015 | Jimmy Butler | Chicago Bulls | United States |
2014 | Goran Dragic | Phoenix Suns | Slovenia |
2013 | Paul George | Indiana Pacers | United States |
2012 | Ryan Anderson | Orlando Magic | United States |
2011 | Kevin Love | Minnesota Timberwolves | United States |
2010 | Aaron Brooks | Houston Rockets | United States |
2009 | Danny Granger | Indiana Pacers | United States |
2008 | Hedo Turkoglu | Orlando Magic | Turkey |
2007 | Monta Ellis | Golden State Warriors | United States |
2006 | Boris Diaw | Phoenix Suns | France |
2005 | Bobby Simmons | LA Clippers | United States |
2004 | Zach Randolph | Portland Trail Blazers | United States |
2003 | Gilbert Arenas | Golden State Warriors | United States |
2002 | Jermaine O’Neal | Indiana Pacers | United States |
2001 | Tracy McGrady | Orlando Magic | United States |
2000 | Jalen Rose | Indiana Pacers | United States |
1999 | Darrell Armstrong | Orlando Magic | United States |
1998 | Alan Henderson | Atlanta Hawks | United States |
1997 | Isaac Austin | Miami Heat | United States |
1996 | Gheroghe Muresan | Washington Bullets | Romania |
1995 | Dana Barros | Philadelphia 76ers | United States |
1994 | Don MacLean | Washington Bullets | United States |
1993 | Chris Jackson | Denver Nuggets | United States |
1992 | Pervis Ellison | Washington Bullets | United States |
1991 | Scott Skiles | Orlando Magic | United States |
1990 | Rony Seikaly | Miami Heat | United States |
1989 | Kevin Johnson | Phoenix Suns | United States |
1988 | Kevin Duckworth | Portland Trail Blazers | United States |
1987 | Dale Ellis | Seattle SuperSonics | United States |
1986 | Alvin Robertson | San Antonio Spurs | United States |
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Does the NBA Most Improved Player Receive A Prize?
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.
Have Any Most Improved Player Winners Become All-Stars?
There have been 19 Most Improved Player winners who have gone on to 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, and Julius Randle won the award and became an All-Star in the same season.
Dale Ellis, Kevin Duckworth, Kevin Johnson, Gilbert Arenas, Zach Randolph, Goran Dragic, and Pascal Siakam went on to become All-Stars in subsequent seasons after winning the award.
Boris Diaw, Kevin Love, Pascal Siakam, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only winners who went on to become NBA Champions!
Tracy McGrady is the only Most Improved Player winner to be named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame!
Is the NBA Most Improved Player Determined by Fan Vote?
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 points respectively. The player with the highest point total wins the award.
Has There Ever Been a Unanimous Most Improved Player?
There has never been a unanimous winner of the Most Improved Player award. Victor Oladipo and Julius Randle are the closest to having been named unanimous winners, earning 99 and 98 first place votes respectively.
Have There Ever Been Joint Most Improved Player Winners?
There have never been joint Most Improved Player winners, nor have any players won the award multiple times.
Has an International Player Ever Won Most Improved Player?
👀 PASCAL SIAKAM’s 2018/19 Most Improved Player highlights! 🌶 pic.twitter.com/h9gNpBYa3l
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) June 25, 2019
By nature of the NBA being an American league, the United States have dominated the Most Improved Player award. However, there have been six different non-American winners of the Most Improved Player award.
- Pascal Siakam – Cameroon (2019)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – Greece (2017)
- Goran Dragic – Slovenia (2014)
- Hedo Turkoglu – Turkey (2008)
- Boris Diaw – France (2006)
- Gheroghe Muresan – Romania (1996)
Who Won the First NBA Most Improved Player Award?
“He would make your life miserable. He’s who I modeled my defense after.” – G. Payton
Alvin Robertson turns 58. DPOY, 4 x All-Star & one of the toughest defenders in NBA history
20 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST, 10 STL
30 PTS, 10 STL, 6 AST
20 PTS, 10 STL, 7 AST
16 PTS, 10 STL, 9 AST pic.twitter.com/yRQ01QiwDc— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 23, 2020
The first ever winner of the Most Improved Player Award was Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs. In just his second season, Robertson went on to average 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 steals per game after playing in all 82 games.
Robertson went on to become the 1986 Defensive Player of the Year, six-time All-Defensive Team member, a four-time All-Star, and three-time steals champion.
Which Position Has Won the Most Most Improved Player Awards?
Guard (13)
Guards tend to have a great impact on the game, but the speed of the NBA tends to keep players from making an immediate impact.
Playmakers and defenders like Scott Skiles and Alvin Robertson just needed a few years to find their comfort and impact. However, pure scorers like Gilbert Arenas and Aaron Brooks needed to hone their skills as well as find the right fit for their game.
Forward (18)
The forward position has seen the most growth through the history of the NBA, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see so many winners of the Most Improved Player award.
Some players undergo an entire positional change like Boris Diaw and Giannis Antetokounmpo and almost reinvent their game. Others like Hedo Turkoglu and Pascal Siakam took a few years to realize their potential as unique talents.
Center (5)
Centers seem to be the least likely to win the Most Improved Player award. Through history they’ve been players dependent on their teammates to generate offence, especially if they don’t have immediate offensive talent.
There are rarely large jumps in skill or production amongst centers, but don’t count out the defensive and efficiency growth of centers as seen through Gheorghe Muresan and Kevin Duckworth.
Who is the Youngest Ever NBA Most Improved Player?
By nature of the Most Improved Player Award, the player pool for the award are at least in their sophomore season. Sometimes, one year is all it takes for a player to find their ground in the league.
In order, the five youngest winners of the Most Improved Player Award are:
Year | Age | Player | Position | Team | D.O.B. |
06-07 | 21 | Monta Ellis | Guard | Golden State Warriors | 26 October, 1985 |
00-01 | 21 | Tracy McGrady | Guard/Forward | Orlando Magic | 24 May, 1979 |
02-03 | 21 | Gilbert Arenas | Guard | Golden State Warriors | 6 January, 1982 |
10-11 | 22 | Kevin Love | Forward | Minnesota Timberwolves | 7 September, 1988 |
16-17 | 22 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Forward | Milwaukee Bucks | 6 December, 1994 |
Who is the Oldest Ever NBA Most Improved Player?
The Most Improved Player Award celebrates the work ethic of some of the NBA’s most notable players. Growth is not limited to age, as shown by a number of winners.
In order, the five oldest winners of the Most Improved Player Award are:
Year | Age | Player | Position | Team | D.O.B |
98-99 | 30 | Darrell Armstrong | Guard | Orlando Magic | 22 June, 1968 |
07-08 | 28 | Hedo Turkoglu | Forward | Orlando Magic | 19 March, 1979 |
96-97 | 27 | Isaac Austin | Center | Miami Heat | 18 August, 1969 |
13-14 | 27 | Goran Dragic | Guard | Phoenix Suns | 6 May, 1986 |
94-95 | 27 | Dana Barros | Guard | Philadelphia 76ers | 13 April, 1967 |
Which NBA Franchises Have Produced the Most NBA Most Improved Player Winners?
Number of Awards | Team | Years |
5 | Indiana Pacers | 2000, 2002, 2009, 2013, 2018 |
Orlando Magic | 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012 | |
3 | Washington Bullets | 1992, 1994, 1996 |
Phoenix Suns | 1989, 2006, 2014 | |
Portland Trail Blazers | 1988, 2004, 2016 | |
2 | Miami Heat | 1990, 1997 |
Golden State Warriors | 2003, 2007 | |
1 | San Antonio Spurs | 1986 |
Seattle SuperSonics | 1987 | |
Denver Nuggets | 1993 | |
Philadelphia 76ers | 1995 | |
Atlanta Hawks | 1998 | |
LA Clippers | 2005 | |
Houston Rockets | 2010 | |
Minnesota Timberwolves | 2011 | |
Chicago Bulls | 2015 | |
Milwaukee Bucks | 2017 | |
Toronto Raptors | 2019 | |
New Orleans Pelicans | 2020 | |
New York Knicks | 2021 |
Which NBA Franchises Have Never Produced a Most Improved Player?
There are 10 teams that haven’t produced a Most Improved Player winner:
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Detroit Pistons
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Utah Jazz
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Christian Jope
Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
Email: [email protected]