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The competition for Most Improved Player is heating up as we approach the final stretch of the NBA season!
This season has showcased some of the league’s most exceptional talent, with several players vying for recognition in the latter half of the regular season.
Cade Cunningham remains the frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award, especially with his Detroit Pistons holding a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Before we examine our picks, be sure to check out the best NBA Basketball Betting Sites.
Dyson Daniels is also making a compelling argument for individual accolades this season as he competes for Most Improved and Defensive Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, Tyler Herro and Christian Braun find themselves at odds with the odds, even though their teams have had different levels of success recently.
Evan Mobley is emerging as a potential dark horse for the Most Improved Player award while also being favored to take home the Defensive Player of the Year title.
2025 Most Improved Player of Year Odds
| To Win 2025 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year |  |  |  |
| Cade Cunningham | -225 | -225 | -225 |
| Dyson Daniels | +140 | +140 | +140 |
| Christian Braun | +8000 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Tyler Herro | +8000 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Evan Mobley | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham remains the frontrunner (-225) for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, reflecting an implied probability of 69.2% based on his current odds.
Cunningham is having an impressive season. He is averaging a career-high 25.6 points per game, which places him 10th in the league in scoring.
Every clutch block from Cade Cunningham this season https://t.co/S8p0NQSUcS pic.twitter.com/2LZBBkJQKn
— Pitless (@pitlessball) March 24, 2025
He also ranks third in assists, averaging 9.3 per game. His performance has solidified his status as a star, earning him the first All-Star selection of his career.
Notably, Cunningham has outlasted many of the top candidates in a MIP race that has seen significant fluctuations this season. Since Victor Wembanyama started as the top favorite in the offseason, there have been eight different leaders in the MIP market.
While Cade Cunningham probably wins this award, I’m not a fan of the odds so I’d pass.
Dyson Daniels
As a key player for a competitive basketball team, Daniels is currently enjoying a career-best season, averaging 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.
Remarkably, he has more than doubled his scoring average from last season, which was 5.8 points, and his steals have risen from 1.4.
Additionally, in the 2024-25 season, he is also hitting 36.4 percent of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, marking another personal best.
If Daniels wins both the Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player awards, he will become the only second player in NBA history to accomplish this feat in the same season.
DYSON DANIELS HAS 194 STEALS – MORE THAN ANY PLAYER IN THE LAST 15 YEARS 🔐🔐
The league’s leader in steals breaks down some of his best from the season with Trey Phills! pic.twitter.com/prmiComQEb
— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2025
The first was Alvin Robertson, who was selected as the No. 7 pick in 1984. In 1986, while under the guidance of the legendary coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, he earned both accolades.
Robertson appeared in all 82 games that season, posting averages of 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 3.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.
Daniels at +140 odds is tempting, but if you’re going to take a shot on Daniels I think he’s a better bet to win DPOY.
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Christian Braun
Although Nikola Jokic is often the focus of attention, the Denver Nuggets’ success this season has greatly benefited from the contributions of third-year guard Christian Braun.
Last week, Braun averaged 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.8% from the field over two games.
His return to the regular season was relatively subdued, as he recorded only ten points, three rebounds, and three assists in a 23-point defeat against the Lakers.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK BACK-TO-BACK DIMES 👀
Hits Christian Braun on the fastbreak then DeAndre Jordan for the alley-oop!! pic.twitter.com/pCXhJ4Ak3Q
— NBA (@NBA) March 25, 2025
In his first two seasons, he had just one game with 20 or more points.
This year, however, he has already produced 16 such performances, showcasing an impressive increase of 7.9 points per game—the second largest in the NBA, trailing only Norman Powell (9.3) and Daniels (8.3).
His field goal percentage has jumped by 11.2%, even with a significant rise in shot attempts. Currently, he averages 15.1 points, five rebounds (a 35% increase from 2023-24), 2.4 assists (up 50%), and 1.1 steals (up 120%).
Braun shares the top spot in the league for fast-break points per game with Giannis Antetokounmpo. With 80-1 odds to win the award this is by far the best value in this race.
I could easily see Braun making a late push for this one as the Nuggets continue to rest Jokic.
I’d absolutely bet on Braun to win this at +8000.
Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley has played a crucial role in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ unexpected success this season.
Last week, he averaged 21.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 60.6% from the field.
He capped off the week with a standout performance, recording 25 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks, shooting 50.0%.
Smaller defenders can’t escape Mobley anymore, as he takes full advantage of mismatches like a true 7-footer should. He has enhanced every aspect of his game while continuing to excel on defense.
At this pace, he’s on track to make his first All-Star team and likely his first All-NBA Team as well. Mobley at 100-1 is just too great for me to endorse.
He most likely wins DPOY so he won’t leave this season empty handed. I’d pass on this one.
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