During the Chicago Bulls’ Media Day, Matas Buzelis made his individual goal for the 2025-26 season very clear: “I want to win Most Improved Player this year. That’s what I’m striving for.”
The forward has oozed confidence since well before he heard his name called on draft night in June of 2024. As far as he’s concerned, there isn’t a mountain he can’t climb, including the summit that is one of the NBA’s most prestigious awards.
To his credit, all Buzelis has done is back up his confidence on the court with increasingly impressive play. He forced his way into the starting lineup last season before finishing the year as one of the team’s most consistent two-way players. Jump ahead to the recent preseason, and the 21-year-old looked like the kind of player primed for a breakout. He turned heads around the league by averaging 17.6 points on 57.6 percent shooting from the field, making those Media Day aspirations feel a lot more realistic.
To be sure, it’s not common that a second-year player takes home the Most Improved Player Award. While a fair share of big-name players have won the hardware in their third seasons, former Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis in 2006-07 is the last NBA sophomore to receive the honor. Nevertheless, I highly doubt that fact would deter the motivated forward, and it’s also not as if he isn’t receiving some level of validation from the odds makers.
Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls – © Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesCan Matas Buzelis Take Home the Hardware?
Before the season officially tips off in a matter of hours, I thought it couldn’t hurt to check in on the real Most Improved Player odds from two of the biggest sportsbooks. To my pleasant surprise, Buzelis is actually currently seen as having one of the best chances to win the trophy.
DraftKings has Buzelis listed with the fourth-best odds at +1800. The only players in front of him are Amen Thompson (+600), Benndict Mathurin (+1500), and Andrew Nembhard (+1500). All things considered, it’s pretty easy to see why those three would be placed ahead of the Bulls’ youngster. Thompson earned All-Defensive First Team honors last season and is expected to take on an ever-larger offensive role alongside the contending Rockets this season. As for Mathurn and Nembhard, those are two Pacers players who could see a major uptick in usage with Tyrese Haliburton off the floor.
However, speaking of those Pacers players, it feels unlikely that both will remain part of the race as the season drags on. One will likely begin to separate himself from the pack, which could leave room for Buzelis’ odds to improve. At the same time, what if a different Bull is the one who sees a bump? DraftKings actually happens to have Buzelis tied with Josh Giddey for the fourth-highest odds, and they aren’t the only book to also have a close eye on the guard.
FanDuel’s oddsmakers currently have Giddey (+1200) listed ahead of Buzelis in the MIP race. In fact, they have only Amen Thompson (+700) ahead of the 23-year-old. Instead, Mathurin (+1400) and Nembhard (+1500) remain ahead of Buzelis, who is tied for the fifth-best odds with Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe of the Portland Trail Blazers.
By the way, if you want to jump in on the action and take Matas Buzelis to win it, we have affiliate links (with promos) for both FanDuel and DraftKings!
So will it be a pretty steep uphill battle for Buzelis this season? Definitely, but the sportsbooks do not necessarily view it as a super crazy long shot. I suppose that serves as another reminder of the growing expectation that Buzelis takes a sizeable leap forward this season. Even if that doesn’t end with a new shiny prize to put on the mantel, I think we can all agree that’s extremely encouraging.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about what are the chances matas buzelis actually wins most improved player was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What Are the Chances Matas Buzelis Actually Wins Most Improved Player? )
Also on site :
- Ilia Malinin: The 20-year-old American figure skater redefining the sport
- Audi fears 2026 F1 engine loophole could lock in inequality
- France not considering soccer World Cup boycott over Greenland for now