2025-2026 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year July Odds: Breakdown & Value Picks - July 21
All odds provided by Betway.
2025-2026 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Betting Odds
| Player | July 21 Odds |
| Deni Avdija, F (POR) | +1,000 |
| Andrew Nembhard, G (IND) | +1,200 |
| Amen Thompson, F (HOU) | +1,600 |
| Bennedict Mathurin, F (IND) | +2,000 |
| Jonathan Kuminga, F (GSW) | +2,000 |
| Ausar Thompson, F (DET) | +2,200 |
| Scoot Henderson, G (POR) | +2,200 |
| Shaedon Sharpe, F (POR) | +2,200 |
| Trey Murphy III, F (NOP) | +2,500 |
| Josh Giddey, F (CHI) | +2,800 |
| Jaylen Wells, F (MEM) | +3,000 |
| Brandon Miller, F (CHA) | +3,300 |
| Jalen Johnson, F (ATL) | +3,300 |
| Chet Holmgren, C (OKC) | +4,000 |
| Jaden Ivey, G (DET) | +4,000 |
| Jared McCain, G (PHI) | +4,000 |
| Matas Buzelis, F (CHI) | +4,000 |
The Favorites
Deni Avdija, F, Portland Trail Blazers (+1,000): Strangely, there are three Portland Trail Blazers in the top eight on this odds board. Even more peculiar, Deni Avdija sits atop the field. Avdija quietly had a pretty solid year in his first campaign in Portland in 2024. He put up about 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game on a 48-37-78 shooting line.
Those are actually pretty solid numbers. But more importantly, they feel close to Avdija’s ceiling. Is he really gonna improve that much on those numbers? If he’s going to win this award, he would have to jump to 20 points and five assists a game at least, and we don’t see a path to that. Steer clear here.
Andrew Nembhard, G, Indiana Pacers (+1,200): There are a few pretty good bets at the top of this odds board. Not least because betting apps are offering *literally* every player at +1,000 odds or better. Thank you, Vegas.
Andrew Nembhard averaged just 10.0 points and 5.0 assists for Indiana last year. With Tyrese Haliburton injured and Myles Turner gone, Nembhard’s going to be the main guy apart from Pascal Siakam. He’s shown in the playoffs the last two years what kind of confidence and heart he has. If the Pacers win 40 games, Nembhard will have a great chance.
Amen Thompson, F, Houston Rockets (+1,600): This is the best bet on the board for our money. How Amen Thompson is not the runaway favorite for this award, we have no idea. Kevin Durant is the most efficient scorer in NBA history, so there’s no way he affects Thompson’s usage.
Last season, he jumped from 13.7 points pre-ASG to 15.2 after. Then he jumped to 15.7 in the playoffs. He was clearly Houston’s best player in that first series loss, and if the Rockets are as good as we expect them to be, he’s going to be an easy choice if he’s scoring 20 a night and playing All-NBA defense at the other end. The most likely one to thwart Amen here is probably his brother, Ausar.
Long Shot Value Bets
- Ausar Thompson, F, Detroit Pistons (+2,200): Ausar is clearly the second-best player on his team (at best) and there’s no way he scores 20 a night. But he only averaged 10.1 last year, so if he and Cade Cunningham lead this team to 50-something wins and Ausar jumps to 15-5-5 with elite defense, he’ll be in with a shout.
- Trey Murphy III, F, New Orleans Pelicans (+2,500): With Brandon Ingram gone, Trey Murphy III will finally be free to spread his enormous wings. He might go really supernova if Zion Williamson continues to miss extensive time too. This is a sneaky good pick if you ask us.
