- Get the latest betting odds on the top favorites for the NBA's Coach of the Year race.
- Kenny Atkinson is the betting favorite to win Coach of the Year in 2024-25.
There is a science to predicting the NBAโs Coach of the Year.
Oklahoma City Thunderโs Mark Daigneault won the award in 2023-24, leading his team to 57 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City had a win increase of 17 games from the prior season, clearing its preseason win total by 12.5 games.
And all those factors follow a familiar pattern in this market.
Over the last 14 seasons since 2010-11, the Coach of the Year has had an average playoff seed of 1.7. Nine of the 14 winners have claimed the No. 1 seed.
The average win total for the last 14 Coach of the Year winners has been 57.2, which jumps to 59.7 by removing the three shortened seasons. The previous 14 recipients of this award have guided their respective teams to an average win improvement of 11.6 compared to the prior season.
Lastly, the average preseason win total since 2010-11 has been 45.2. Voters want to reward a coach of a team that exceeds expectations.
Simply put, Iโm targeting a coach of a team with this profile:
- No. 1 seed potential
- 50 wins or fewer last year
- Path to clearing win total by double-digit games
Hereโs a look at the latest NBA odds and who might be the best bet to win this yearโs award:
Odds to Win NBA Coach of the Year 2025
| Name | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Kenny Atkinson | Cavaliers | -500 |
| Ime Udoka | Rockets | +650 |
| J.B. Bickerstaff | Pistons | +1600 |
| Jamahl Mosley | Magic | +1800 |
| Mark Daigneault | Thunder | +2000 |
| Taylor Jenkins | Grizzlies | +2200 |
| Tyronn Lue | Clippers | +6600 |
| Doug Christie | Kings | +10000 |
| Joe Mazzulla | Celtics | +25000 |
| Quin Snyder | Hawks | +25000 |
NBA Coach of the Year Odds: Kenny Atkinson is Betting Favorite
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson is the betting favorite (-500) to win NBA’s Coach of the Year award. He was as long as +3000 in the preseason when I suggested him as one of my favorite bets (along with Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer) in this market.
Under Atkinson’s leadership, the Cavs have been one of the bigger surprises to start the season. Their offense has improved and the defense remains elite, making them the primary challengers to the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
That was the theory behind investing in the Cavaliers’ division odds before the season and why Atkinson was such a solid bet in the Coach of the Year market.
While this appears to be Atkinson’s award to lose, I do think Taylor Jenkins and Ime Udoka are worthy challengers if Cleveland stumbles from the top of the East.
Prediction: Kenny Atkinson (-500)
NBA Coach of the Year Best Bets for 2025
- Mike Budenholzer +2500 (0.2 units) on Sept. 17.
- Kenny Atkinson +3000 (0.15 units) on Sept. 17.
Iโll update this page with my best bets in the NBA Coach of the Year market throughout the season.
NBA Coach of the Year Betting Splits
Here are the latest betting insights for the NBA Coach of the Year market at the online sportsbook:
- Most tickets: Mike Budenholzer 15.6%
- Highest handle: Kenny Atkinson 33.6%
- Biggest liability: Kenny Atkinson
- Odds leader: Kenny Atkinson
2023-24 NBA Coach of the Year Voting
| Rank | Name | Team | Vote Pts | 1st Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Daigneault | OKC | 473 | 89 |
| 2 | Jamahl Mosley | ORL | 158 | 4 |
| 3 | Chris Finch | MIN | 105 | 1 |
| 4 | Joe Mazzulla | BOS | 79 | 2 |
| 5 | Tom Thibodeau | NYK | 59 | 2 |
| 6 | Erik Spoelstra | MIA | 6 | 1 |
| 7 | Ime Udoka | HOU | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | Rick Carlisle | IND | 2 | 0 |
List of Coach of the Year Winners
| Year | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Mark Daigneault | OKC |
| 2022-23 | Mike Brown | SAC |
| 2021-22 | Monty Williams | PHO |
| 2020-21 | Tom Thibodeau | NYK |
| 2019-20 | Nick Nurse | TOR |
| 2018-19 | Mike Budenholzer | MIL |
| 2017-18 | Dwane Casey | TOR |
| 2016-17 | Mike D'Antoni | HOU |
| 2015-16 | Steve Kerr | GSW |
| 2014-15 | Mike Budenholzer | ATL |
Related Articles
Visit the sportsbook for all basketball betting opportunities throughout the year. Whether you’re building a parlay with NBA spreads, betting on player prop bets, or checking for an Odds Boost, there’s nonstop entertainment for everyone.
If you’re new to BetMGM, check your eligibility for a sportsbook welcome bonus.
