Every NBA Team's Top Candidate to Win Most Improved Player of the Year Award in 2022-23 Season

Every year in the NBA, there are players that take a major step and are recognized in the running for the league’s Most Improved Player award. 

Last season, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant made the leap from rising star to All-NBA player, earning him the MIP. There really isn’t a criteria for the award, which makes it hard for bettors, but usually the player comes from a team that is in the playoff conversation. 

Young players obviously have a better chance of making a drastic leap, but let’s not forget that Julius Randle won the Most Improved Player award in the 2020-21 season, his seventh in the NBA. 

Here are the latest odds to win MIP, including each team’s top candidate: 

Atlantic Division

• Boston Celtics: Robert Williams III (+4000)
• Brooklyn Nets: Day’Ron Sharpe (+10000) | Ben Simmons (+10000) 
• Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes (+3000)
• New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson (+1800)
• Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey (+1600)

Central Division

• Milwaukee Bucks: N/A
• Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley (+4000)
• Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams (+5000)
• Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham (+2200)
• Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton (+1400)

Southeast Division

• Miami Heat: Max Strus (+8000)
• Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball (+2500)
• Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura (+8000)
• Atlanta Hawks: Dejounte Murray (+5000)
• Orlando Magic: Markelle Fultz (+5000)

Northwest Division

• Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr. (+3500)
• Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons (+2500)
• Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards (+900)
• Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+2500)
• Utah Jazz: Collin Sexton (+3000)

Pacific Division 

• Los Angeles Lakers: Russell Westbrook (+6600)
• Los Angeles Clippers: Terance Mann (+10000)
• Golden State Warriors: Jordan Poole (+3000)
• Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox (+10000)
• Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton (+3500)

Southwest Division

• San Antonio Spurs: Devin Vassell (+2500)
• Houston Rockets: Jalen Green (+3000)
• Dallas Mavericks: Christian Wood (+4000)
• New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson (+1400)
• Memphis Grizzlies: Desmond Bane (+5000)

The most surprising name on this list may be Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook. After the former MVP struggled in his first season in Los Angeles (by his standards), it seems that oddsmakers think he could be in the conversation for a MIP award with a huge turnaround this season. 

Before thinking of wagering on Westbrook, bettors need to realize that he could get traded and/or benched by the Lakers depending upon how the 2022-23 season starts. While his name being on the list is notable, he’s a very volatile bet. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.