NBA Most Improved Player Race: Odds, winners, voting results, trophy, when is it awarded?

We cover all you need to know about the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, including the latest odds, voting results, past winners, when the award is announced, and more.

2024/25 NBA Most Improved Player odds

Victor Wembanyama	+1000
Jonathan Kuminga	+1100
Evan Mobley	+1200
Scottie Barnes	+1400
Jalen Williams	+1600
Josh Giddey	+1800
Brandin Podziemski	+2000
Cade Cunningham	+2000
Immanuel Quickley	+2000

Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 reigning Rookie of the Year winner and the franchise player of the San Antonio Spurs, is the favorite to win the Most Improved Player Award ahead of the 2024/25 NBA season.

Wembanyama was the first-overall pick in the 2023 draft and posted averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and a league-leading 3.6 blocks while finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting as a rookie.

Heading into his fourth NBA season, Golden State Warriors power forward Jonathan Kuminga is second in the Most Improved Player market.

Kuminga's points-per-game average jumped 6.2 points from 2022/23 to '23/24, and he'll look to help the Dubs back to the playoffs in '24/25.

Third in the odds is Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley. His numbers have stayed relatively steady through his first three NBA seasons, so he'll look to take a leap off the back of the Cavs finishing fourth in the East last season.

Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors is fourth in the odds. His points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks averages all rose from '22/23 to '23/24, as did his three-point percentage.

If Barnes can translate his individual development from last season into more wins this season, he should stay among the favorites.

Fifth in the odds is Oklahoma City Thunder wing/small forward Jalen Williams. He developed into a borderline star last season with 19.1 points per game on 42.7 percent three-point shooting, but if he takes another step forward this season, it would be a huge benefit to the team that finished first in the West last year.

Further back in the odds are Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls, Brandin Podziemski of the Warriors, Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, Immanuel Quickley of the Raptors, Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers, Coby White of the Bulls and Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic.

NBA Most Improved Player Winners by Year

Year	Winner	Team
2024	Tyrese Maxey	Philadelphia 76ers
2023	Lauri Markkanen	Utah Jazz
2022	Ja Morant	Memphis Grizzlies
2021	Julius Randle	New York Knicks
2020	Brandon Ingram	New Orleans Pelicans
2019	Pascal Siakam	Toronto Raptors
2018	Victor Oladipo	Indiana Pacers
2017	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Milwaukee Bucks
2016	CJ McCollum	Portland Trail Blazers
2015	Jimmy Butler	Chicago Bulls
2014	Goran Dragic	Phoenix Suns
2013	Paul George	Indiana Pacers
2012	Ryan Anderson	Orlando Magic
2011	Kevin Love	Minnesota Timberwolves
2010	Aaron Brooks	Houston Rockets
2009	Danny Granger	Indiana Pacers
2008	Hedo Turkoglu	Orlando Magic
2007	Monta Ellis	Golden State Warriors
2006	Boris Diaw	Phoenix Suns
2005	Bobby Simmons	Los Angeles Clippers
2004	Zach Randolph	Portland Trail Blazers
2003	Gilbert Arenas	Golden State Warriors
2002	Jermaine O'Neal	Indiana Pacers
2001	Tracy McGrady	Orlando Magic
2000	Jalen Rose	Indiana Pacers
1999	Darrell Armstrong	Orlando Magic
1998	Alan Henderson	Atlanta Hawks
1997	Isaac Austin	Miami Heat
1996	Gheorge Muresan	Washington Bullets
1995	Dana Barros	Philadelphia 76ers
1994	Don MacLean	Washington Bullets
1993	Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf	Denver Nuggets
1992	Pervis Ellison	Washington Bullets
1991	Scott Skiles	Orlando Magic
1990	Rony Seikaly	Miami Heat
1989	Kevin Johnson	Phoenix Suns
1988	Kevin Duckworth	Portland Trail Blazers
1987	Dale Ellis	Seattle SuperSonics
1986	Alvin Robertson	San Antonio Spurs

NBA Most Improved Player announcement

Like most NBA Awards, the Most Improved Player Award is announced after the regular season ends and during the playoffs. The 2024 award winner, Tyrese Maxey, was announced on April 23, 2024.

NBA Most Improved Player voting

The NBA Most Improved Player Award is voted on by a committee of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Voters have a first-place vote worth five points, a second-place vote worth three points, and a third-place vote worth one point. The player with the most points wins the award.

NBA Most Improved Player trophy

The George Mikan Trophy, awarded to the Most Improved Player, was established before the 2022/23 season. Mikan was a legendary center for the Minneapolis Lakers - before they moved to Los Angeles - and his name lives on through the Mikan Drill, which players use to improve their game.

Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.