Odds to win NBA Most Improved Player: Markkanen well ahead

Several NBA players take massive leaps every season that change the trajectory of their careers. That’s certainly been the case this year and there are a number of worthy candidates for this award.

The latest: Lauri Markkanen’s game has evolved considerably, Jalen Brunson keeps filling the bucket for the New York Knicks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring numbers are outstanding.

Here are the latest NBA Most Improved Player odds.

NBA Most Improved Player odds

Check out the latest odds to win NBA Most Improved Player.Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip.

Player	Odds (Mar. 9)	Odds (Mar 4.)
Lauri Markkanen	-335	-400
Jalen Brunson	+300	+500
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	+500	+300
Tyrese Haliburton	+8,000	+8,000
Nic Claxton	+25,000	+25,000
De'Aron Fox	+25,000	+25,000
Anthony Edwards	+25,000	+25,000
Alperen Sengun	+25,000	+25,000
Bol Bol	+50,000	+50,000
Cam Thomas	+50,000	+25,000

Odds as of 2:41 p.m. on 03/09/2023.

Best NBA Most Improved Player odds

The favourite: Markkanen (-335)

Markkanen was not the headliner in the Donovan Mitchell deal, but he has been the top dog for a surprisingly effective Utah Jazz offence in the early going.

The big Finn is on pace to set career highs in points and assists as he’s taken on a larger role than he’s ever had in his NBA career.

Not only has he locked in his 3-point stroke, but Markkanen has also improved his efficiency close to the basket. He’s even providing a welcome dose of quality defence.

Markkanen crept up the board for this category before the season due to some dominant performances at FIBA EuroBasket, and his work overseas seems to have foreshadowed his excellence.

His odds have surged since late December, as he’s averaged 28.3 points per game since Boxing Day. They took another step forward thanks to a monster effort on February 23.

Other Most Improved Player choices

Best value: Brunson (+300)

Brunson was the favourite for this award at times during the offseason thanks to a new ball-dominant role with the Knicks.

In recent months he’s shown why stepping out from Luka Doncic’s shadow has been the best thing for him. After averaging 11.9 points per game in four seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, he’s doubled that output in New York.

Brunson has surged up the board recently with an unbelievable scoring run. The 26-year-old has averaged 28.4 points in 27 games since the beginning of 2023 — with 11 games scoring 30 or more points. For reference, he scored 30-plus points in just three regular-season games in his Mavericks career.

The veteran’s improved production hasn’t just been in the points department, either. With his increased role, he’s seen an uptick in assists as well, averaging a career-high 6.2 per game.

Player to watch: Gilgeous-Alexander (+500)

When a player who’s never made an All-Star Game appearance starts averaging more than 30 points per game, they’ve got a pretty good chance to win this award.

Gilgeous-Alexander has always been able to get a bucket, but now he’s become one of the league’s elite scorers — and he was rewarded with a trip to the All-Star Game this season. Not only has the Canadian scored more than ever before, but his efficiency has also impressed across the board.

Despite taking more than 20 shots per game, SGA has kept his field-goal percentage over 50% and his free-throw percentage (90.6%) easily bests his previous career high (81.0%).

His defence has levelled up, too. His steal and block rates are on pace to smash his career highs, and he’s looking more like a two-way force than ever before.

Gilgeous-Alexander is even driving winning more than he has in the past. The Oklahoma City Thunder are not contenders, but they’ve looked more respectable this season — and the guard has come up with some clutch shots.

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