Question 1

Where do I bet on Most Improved Player?

Accepted Answer

There are many legal sportsbooks that will take bets on Most Improved Player. DraftKings and FanDuel are the two most prominent books with odds. Caesars and PointsBet are a couple of other sportsbooks where you can place bets on Most Improved Player.

Question 2

Does the MIP have to be an All-Star caliber player?

Accepted Answer

The last nine winners became All-Star caliber players during the season they won the award. In decades' past, it had gone to role players that made significant leaps in production but recent history suggests it has to be a player on the verge of stardom.

Question 3

Does the Most Improved Player have to be young?

Accepted Answer

The average age of the MIP over the last decade is 24 years old. The oldest player in the last decade was Goran Dragic at 27 years old. That appears to be the maximum age for a player to win MIP.

Question 4

Do stats matter for MIP?

Accepted Answer

Improvement bears out in the counting numbers, and not just scoring. Check the numbers above. Every MIP winner improved in points, rebounds, and assists per game, with the lone exception of Dragic dropping a single assist.

Those nine MIPs averaged around 14 points, 5.5 boards, and 3 assists the year before winning the award. They then leapt to an average of 21 points, 6.5 boards, and 4.5 assists their winning season. As always, points are king.

Question 5

Does the Most Improved Player have to be on a winning team?

Accepted Answer

Nine of the last 10 MIPs were on teams that made the playoffs. Most have not been on teams that have gone very far in the playoffs but they do need to be on successful teams.

Season	Winner
2023-24	Tyrese Maxey
2022-23	Lauri Markkanen
2021-22	Ja Morant
2020-21	Julius Randle
2019-20	Brandon Ingram
2018-19	Pascal Siakam
2017-18	Victor Oladipo
2016-17	Giannis Antetokounmpo
2015-16	CJ McCollum
2014-15	Jimmy Butler

2025 NBA Most Improved Player Award Odds

2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player Odds Comparison

NBA Most Improved Player Past Winners