NBA Coach of the Year Odds 2025: Atkinson Closes as Favorite Over Bickerstaff

For months, Cleveland Cavaliers first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson led the NBA Coach of the Year odds race, with the former Golden State Warriors assistant closing as the favorite to take home the award across our NBA betting sites.

With the Cavaliers earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and being among the top NBA championship odds contenders all season, it's hard to imagine Atkinson losing the award. But Detroit Pistons' bench boss J.B. Bickerstaff, who was the Cavaliers head coach last season, has certainly earned a chance after proving it's possible to reach the playoffs in the Motor City.

📊 NBA Coach of the Year odds 2025

Here are the closing NBA Coach of the Year odds from our best sports betting sites for the NBA Coach of the Year finalists.

• Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers: -250
• J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons: +210
• Ime Udoka, Rockets: +2500

🏀 NBA Coach of the Year odds favorite 2025

⚔️ Kenny Atkinson Coach of the Year odds (-250)

Cleveland brought in Atkinson to improve the offense, and it's safe to say he exceeded expectations during his first campaign. The Cavaliers finished first in the NBA in offensive rating (121.7) and in points per game (121.9), and second in field-goal percentage (49.1%) and 3-point percentage (38.3%). They were nothing short of brilliant in the regular season on that end with the same core group of players.

Even the Boston Celtics couldn't catch up to them in the standings, with the Cavaliers earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and winning the second-most games in the NBA (64).

Best odds: -250 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 87.50%

🔢 NBA Coach of the Year opening odds

• Ime Udoka: +900
• Joe Mazzulla: +1000
• Jamahl Mosley: +1000
• Nick Nurse: +1200
• Tom Thibodeau: +1300
• Mark Daigneault: +1300
• Taylor Jenkins: +1400
• Erik Spoelstra: +1400
• Chris Finch: +1400
• JJ Redick: +1800
• Gregg Popovich: +1800
• Mike Budenholzer: +2200
• Willie Green: +2500
• Kenny Atkinson: +2500

🏆 Past NBA Coach of the Year winners

💡 How to bet on NBA Coach of the Year

Betting on NBA Coach of the Year odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering NBA Coach of the Year futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Coach A has +300 odds and Coach B has +700, Player A is favored to win.

Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Coach A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on player performances throughout the season to gauge your bet’s potential.

Now, why do odds move in future markets? It’s all about performance and perception. If a player performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the player or their competitors can also significantly impact their Coach of the Year chances.

The success of the player’s team can improve their odds as well. Public betting trends play a role; if many people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk. Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, affecting the odds. Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially take advantage of favorable odds movements.

📖 How to read NBA Coach of the Year odds

Reading NBA Coach of the Year odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of winning the Coach of the Year award. NBA Coach of the Year odds are typically presented in American odds.

These use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a coach's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the coach wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.

When reading NBA Coach of the Year odds, lower odds indicate that a player has a higher probability of winning the award, while higher odds suggest that a player is considered less likely to win. Bettors should consider factors such as a player's performance, team success, and narrative appeal when evaluating Coach of the Year odds.

It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that Coach of the Year odds can fluctuate throughout the season based on player performance, injuries, and other factors, so staying informed and monitoring odds changes can be crucial for making informed betting decisions.

❓ NBA Coach of the Year FAQs

Who is the NBA Coach of the Year favorite?

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson closed as the favorite. His -250 odds implied a 71.43% probability he'll win the award.

Who won the NBA Coach of the Year last year?

Mark Daigneault won the NBA Coach of the Year award last year after leading the Thunder to a 57-25 record and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

When will the NBA Coach of the Year be decided?

We can expect this year's award to be decided at a similar time as last season's, which was on Sunday, April 28, during the NBA playoffs.

What is the NBA Coach of the Year trophy called?

The NBA Coach of the Year trophy is named the Red Auerbach Trophy after the Boston Celtics legend who won nine NBA championships. 

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