Budding superstar Ja Morant is the heavy favorite to win the NBA's Most Improved Player Award.
His odds have risen all the way to -425 on DraftKings sportsbook to win the award. According to Action Network's odds calculator, that gives Morant an 80.95% chance to win most improved.
Morant is in the midst of a breakout season for the Memphis Grizzlies. He was always on everybody's radar after being selected No. 2 in the 2019 draft and subsequently winning Rookie of the Year. But now he's gone from perennial All-Star to potential superstar.
The six-foot-three guard has practically improved in every single statistical category besides assists. He went from averaging 19.1 points per game in 2020/21 to averaging 26.4 ppg this season. All of his shooting numbers have improved, and he's averaging 1.8 more rebounds per game than last season.
The season he is having combined with his popularity among NBA fans has created quite the liability for sportsbooks. BetMGM reported on Tuesday that Morant currently accounts for 16.0% of the tickets and 50.5% of the total handle to win Most Improved Player. He is by far their biggest liability for the award.
Morant opened the season with 30/1 odds to win the award. With his odds rising at a rapid rate, it's unclear whether the books have much liability on the pre-season number. But you are a happy human being if you have a 30/1 ticket in your hand.
Morant also has an outside chance of winning Most Valuable Player. He's currently 11/1 on DraftKings to win MVP after starting the season at 45/1. He currently has the fifth-highest odds to win the award.
Current Odds to Win Most Improved Player
*Odds according to DraftKings
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ja Morant | -425 |
| Miles Bridges | +600 |
| Darius Garland | +1200 |
| Dejounte Murray | +1600 |
| Anfernee Simons | +4000 |
| Desmond Bane | +5500 |
| Jarrett Allen | +6000 |
| Tyler Herro | +10000 |
