Victor Wembanyama is set for a massive year, and some oddsmakers believe he will impress the league. Victor Wembanyama has the best odds to win the Most Improved Player award for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season at +750, with Evan Mobley, Jonathan Kuminga, and Josh Giddey right behind him. Here are the odds, courtesy of Bovoda Las Vegas.
Victor Wembanyama: +750
Evan Mobley: +950
Jonathan Kuminga: +1000
Josh Giddey: +1200
Jalen Johnson: +1500
Paolo Banchero: +2000
Scottie Barnes: +2000
Jalen Williams: +2200
Brandin Podziemski: +2500
Cade Cunningham: +2500
Coby White: +2500
Immanuel Quickley: +2500
Jalen Green: +2500
Anfernee Simons: +3000
Bennedict Mathurin: +4000
Cam Thomas: +4000
Deni Avdija: +4000
Keyonte George: +4000
RJ Barrett: +4000
Scoot Henderson: +4000
Amen Thompson: +5000
Cam Whitmore: +5000
Chet Holmgren: +5000
Dereck Lively II: +5000
Franz Wagner: +5000
Jabari Smith Jr.: +5000
Wembanyama being at the top of the list is surprising, but not because Wembanyama won’t have a better year than the year before. Historically, the Most Improved Player award is given to a player who enters the NBA with low expectations and takes a gigantic leap in their level of play from the year before.
Victor Wembanyama is one of the most hyped players to enter the NBA in recent memory, and he delivered on the high expectations placed on him in his rookie year, as he won the Rookie of the Year award, and finished second in the race for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
So to put Wembanyama, a generational talent with limitless potential, in the running for the most improved player is odd. Even looking at the last few winners of the Most Improved Player awards like Tyrese Maxey and Lauri Makkanen, these players had been in the NBA for a few years and had seemingly surpassed their initial ceilings.
However, players like Ja Morant and Luka Doncic, who were expected to be big stars, have been in contention for this award in the past, with Ja even winning it in 2021 despite winning Rookie of the Year, so it is not out of the ordinary. However, perhaps the NBA should re-evaluate the criteria for the award.
Victor Wembanyama: The Future Face Of The NBA?
None of what was said above should be considered a critique of Victor Wembanyama. What he has been able to do in the NBA since coming in has been nothing short of sensational. As mentioned earlier, Wembanyama was one of the most hyped prospects to enter the NBA, arguably since LeBron James.
While many feel that should have been an indicator of his success, what fans don’t realize is how much pressure that puts on a player. We have seen players in the past struggle to cope with the high expectations placed on them, whether that be due to injuries, or for other reasons, and never meet their ceilings.
Wembanyama had an incredible year, where he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists with the Spurs. He followed up this great rookie season with an incredible run at the Olympics, where he led France to the gold medal game in Paris.
With veteran point guard Chris Paul now with the Spurs, fans believe he will be able to help unlock Wembanyama’s potential even further. The Spurs could be a playoff threat next season, behind a more experienced Wembanyama.
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