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NBA Most Improved Player Predictions: Braun Joins the Race

Updated: Feb. 24, 2025, 03:54 AM ET
9 min read
  • Cade Cunningham is the favorite to win NBA Most Improved Player.

  • Last year’s Most Improved Player Award winner was Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers.

  • Norman Powell occupies the top contender spot for Most Improved Player.

The race for Most Improved Player enters the final stretch! Some of the league’s most talented players have made their mark this season and will compete for the award through the regular season's second half. At WSN, we’re locked in on the race for Most Improved Player, offering the latest odds, predictions, and analyses for the 2024-25 NBA season!

For the best NBA Futures bets, WSN has you covered with betting picks and tips every day throughout the 2024-25 NBA season and playoffs! New sports bettors can use the top NBA promos and bonuses before their favorite team tips off!

Cade Cunningham opened the regular season's second half as the favorite to win Most Improved Player. His top contender is Norman Powell, the LA Clippers guard who stood out during the campaign's first half. Tyler Herro and Evan Mobley stand out as fellow contenders for the award, marking their place as the future of the NBA. A dark horse to win the award, Christian Braun of the Denver Nuggets has been central to his team’s comeback this season.

Let’s check out the bets!

NBA Most Improved Player Odds

The most recent odds for the NBA Most Improved Player winner are listed in the table below. Click the odds to bet on your favorites at some of the best NBA sportsbooks available today.

NBA Most Improved Player Pick

Cade Cunningham stands out in the Most Improved Player race, as he’s led his Detroit Pistons to unexpected success this season. An all-around offensive player, Cunningham is one of the NBA’s top scorers while acting as his team’s primary facilitator. As the Detroit Pistons aim for a playoff berth, expect Cunnigham to step up his play as the regular season approaches.

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NBA Most Improved Player Predictions Odds

Who Is the Favorite to Win NBA Most Improved Player?

Cade Cunningham - Detroit Pistons (+115) at FanDuel

SeasonTeamAgeGamesMPGPPGRPGAPGSPGBPGFGM / FG%3PM  / 3P%
2024-25DET235135.425.46.29.51.00.79.5/.4582.2/.352

Cade Cunningham took the favorite spot for Most Improved Player and hasn't let go, going into the regular season's second half. In two games last week, Cunningham averaged 31.5 points, 12.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.5 threes per game on 62.5% from the field and 55.0% from three-point range. He was massive in a win over the Hawks, posting 38 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, seven made threes, and three blocks on 58.3% shooting.

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Who Are the Contenders to Win NBA Most Improved Player?

Norman Powell - LA Clippers (+115) at FanDuel

SeasonTeamAgeGamesMPGPPGRPGAPGSPGBPGFGM / FG%3PM / 3P%
2024-25LAC314533.624.23.62.21.30.28.4/.4963.4/.428

Famously known as one of the NBA’s top sixth men, Norman Powell was inserted into the Clippers starting lineup and became one of the league’s top scorers. Norman Powell has been out with injury since the All-Star break. He missed all their games last week but is listed as day-to-day as the Clippers continue their eight-game road trip.

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Tyler Herro - Miami Heat (+2000) at FanDuel

SeasonTeamAgeGamesMPGPPGRPGAPGSPGBPGFGM / FG%3PM / 3P%
2024-25MIA255235.723.95.55.50.80.18.3/.4673.7/.381

Tyler Herro has persevered through a roller coaster first half of the season for the Miami Heat, earning the first All-Star appearance of his career. Last week, Herro averaged 34.0 points, 9.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 threes per game on 50.0% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range. He starred in a seven-point loss to the Bucks, contributing 40 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and three made threes on 44.4% shooting.

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Evan Mobley - Cleveland Cavaliers (+6000) at FanDuel

SeasonTeamAgeGamesMPGPPGRPGAPGSPGBPGFGM / FG%3PM / 3P%
2024-25CLE235029.918.69.23.00.91.67.2/.5721.1/.379

Evan Mobley has been central to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ surprising success this season. Undefeated last week, Mobley averaged 21.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 3.0 blocks per game on 60.6% from the field. He closed the week with his best performance, putting up 25 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks on 50.0% shooting.

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Who Is the Dark Horse to Win 2025 Most Improved Player of the Year?

Christian Braun - Denver Nuggets (+6000) at FanDuel

SeasonTeamAgeGamesMPGPPGRPGAPGSPGBPGFGM / FG%3PM / 3P%
2024-25DEN235633.014.85.02.21.10.55.8/.5741.0/.367

The Denver Nuggets’ success tends to focus on the play of Nikola Jokic, but third-year guard Christian Braun has been vital to their turnaround this season. Braun averaged 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals on 43.8% from the field in two games last week. It was a quiet restart to the regular season for Braun, putting up just ten points, three rebounds, and three assists in a 23-point loss to the Lakers.

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Who Was the 2024 NBA Most Improved Player?

Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers won the 2024 Most Improved Player Award. Despite star man Joel Embiid missing significant time for the Sixers, Maxey stepped up to keep the Sixers in playoff contention while also earning his first All-Star appearance. It was the second time a member of the Philadelphia 76ers won the award.

Through his 2023-24 regular season campaign, Maxey proved himself to be one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 threes per game on 45.0% efficiency and 37.3% from three-point range. Despite Maxey’s efforts, the Sixers’ injury issues contributed to their seventh-place finish and First Round playoff exit at the hands of the New York Knicks.

Maxey was the favorite to win Most Improved Player throughout the NBA season, accumulating 51 first-place votes, 18 second-place votes, and ten third-place votes at the end of the season. His closest challenger was Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, who accumulated 305 total points to Maxey’s 319.

When Will the NBA's 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 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.

Does the NBA’s Most Improved Player Receive a Prize?

The NBA’s Most Improved Player winner does not receive a prize per se. In commemorating their accomplishment, the award winner is written into NBA history as one of its most notable players. The Most Improved Player Award signals a player's growth and who to expect more from as their career progresses. They may receive specific bonuses as stipulated through negotiations in their NBA contract.

Most Improved Player FAQ

Have Any Most Improved Player Winners Become All-Stars?

Does Fan Vote Determine the NBA’s Most Valuable Player?

Has an International Player Ever Won Most Improved Player?

Who Won the First NBA Most Improved Player Award?

Which NBA Player Position Has the Best Chance of Winning Most Improved Player?

Which NBA Franchises Have Produced the Most NBA Most Improved Player Winners?

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Christian Jope WSN Contributors

Christian Jope

NBA Betting Analyst

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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]
Nationality: Canadian
Education: Bachelor of Arts (Applied Economics)
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