The 2025\/26 NBA Most Improved Player race is as open as it gets, with young Houston Rocket Amen Thomson the current favourite at $10, followed by Andrew Nembhard at $15. History shows this award goes to young scorers stepping into bigger roles, and there\u2019s serious value on offer in this year\u2019s market.<\/p>\n
Our NBA Most Improved Player tips and predictions break down the main contenders, the trends behind past winners and where the best betting value lies for 2025\/26.<\/p>\n
Jalen Johnson @ $41<\/b><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n When it comes to Most Improved, you\u2019re looking for players who averaged under 20 points per game last season and are about to step into a top-two scoring role on an improving team.<\/p>\n Jalen Johnson fits that profile perfectly. He was on track to contend for the award last year before an injury derailed him in early January. If he stays healthy and plays 70+ games, there\u2019s every chance he elevates to around 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists per night for a Hawks team that should finish top-four in the East.<\/p>\n Expect Trae Young\u2019s scoring numbers to dip slightly as he transitions into more of a pass-first role. Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher won\u2019t eat into Johnson\u2019s usage, while Porzingis is used to playing as a role player after his stint in Boston.<\/p>\n Between October 28 and December 28 last season, when healthy, Johnson averaged 21 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists. However, voters will only see the full-season averages, 18.9 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, which undersell his impact.<\/p>\n At $41, it\u2019s a strong price considering we\u2019ve seen players like Maxey, Morant, Randle and Ingram follow this exact trajectory \u2014 jumping from a high-teens scorer to the low-to-mid 20s on their way to winning Most Improved.<\/p>\n
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