2026 NBA MVP Odds & Favorites: Jokic Opens As Favorite Over SGA, Doncic

Despite losing the NBA MVP race to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this past season, Nikola Jokic is the favorite over SGA for 2026.
2026 NBA MVP Odds & Favorites
Pictured: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Photo by Ron Chenoy via Imagn Images.

After leading the NBA MVP odds at our best sports betting sites for much of the season last year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander edged out three-time MVP Nikola Jokic for the award. However, it's the Denver Nuggets star who opened as the favorite for the 2025-26 season.

With the SGA's Oklahoma City Thunder leading the NBA championship odds after winning the title this past season, Jokic and he are the obvious choices for NBA MVP, and the odds reflect that with a large gap between them and Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Edwards, and Victor Wembanyama.

๐Ÿ“Š Live NBA MVP odds 2026

Our 2026 NBA MVP odds update in real time based on the odds from our best sports betting apps.

๐Ÿค– NBA MVP AI prediction

For entertainment purposes, we asked ChatGPT, a popular large language model chatbot, to analyze historical trends and NBA stats before predicting the winner of the 2026 NBA MVP award. Our AI prediction projects Nikola Jokic to win NBA MVP.

๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ AI NBA MVP prediction: Nikola Jokic

2026 NBA MVP Odds & Favorites
Pictured: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez via Imagn Images.

๐Ÿ€ Triple-double threat: Widely regarded as possibly the greatest passing big man ever, Jokiฤ‡ recorded historic stat lines this past season, including a 31โ€“21โ€“22 tripleโ€‘double, only the second player to do so, while averaging a triple-double 
๐Ÿ€ Consistency meets continuity:
Returning a core that isn't that far removed from a championship, Jokiฤ‡ still anchors a title-worthy team and should routinely put up eye-popping stats as the focal point of new full-time head coach David Adelman
๐Ÿ€ Voter fatigue reset:
After a year without winning the MVP due to team struggles and SGAโ€™s breakout, Jokiฤ‡ now benefits from renewed voter appreciation, especially if Denver returns to a top-2 seed in the West

๐Ÿค” Betting takeaway: ChatGPT's AI prediction would mean Jokic (+210 via bet365) winning his fourth NBA MVP. ChatGPT is a large language model and not specifically designed for predicting sporting events, so these projections should be viewed as entertainment or a supplementary data point for your NBA betting research.

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๐ŸŽฏ AI long shot NBA MVP prediction

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท Victor Wembayama

๐Ÿ€ Electrifying scorer, rebounder, and defender: Before being shut down for the season, Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 35.2% from three at just 21 years old
๐Ÿ€ Rising narrative and profile:
If Wemby can stay healthy and San Antonio improves - even modestly - heโ€™ll attract MVP buzz as a young, generational talent transforming a franchise under new full-time bench boss Mitch Johnson
๐Ÿ€ Impressive odds vs. upside:
 Wemby offers tremendous value - top-tier stats, rapid ascension, and a peak storyline - yet his name still lingers behind more established stars

๐Ÿ”ข NBA MVP opening odds

Odds via DraftKings.

  • Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: +200
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: +250
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: +700
  • Luka Doncic, Lakers: +800
  • Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: +1000
  • Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: +1800
  • Cade Cunningham, Pistons: +3000
  • Jalen Brunson, Knicks: +3500
  • Joel Embiid, 76ers: +7000
  • Kevin Durant, Rockets: +8000
  • Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: +8000
  • Jaylen Brown, Celtics: +10000
  • Anthony Davis, Mavericks: +10000
  • Paolo Banchero, Magic: +10000
  • Ja Morant, Grizzlies: +12000
  • LeBron James, Lakers: +15000
  • Stephen Curry, Warriors: +15000
  • Devin Booker, Suns: +18000
  • Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: +25000
  • Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: +25000
  • Pascal Siakam, Pacers: +25000
  • Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies: +30000
  • Trae Young, Hawks: +30000
  • Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: +40000
  • James Harden, Clippers: +40000

๐Ÿ† NBA MVP odds history & past award winners

Year Name Team Preseason odds
2024-25 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Oklahoma City Thunder +600
2023-24 Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets +450
2022-23 Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers +600
2021-22 Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets +1600
2020-21 Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets +2500
2019-20 Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks +210
2018-19 Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks +475
2017-18 James Harden Houston Rockets +1100

โ“ NBA MVP FAQs

Who is the NBA MVP odds favorite?

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic opened as the NBA MVP odds favorite at +250. His odds imply a 28.57% probability that he'll win his fourth NBA MVP award.

Who won the NBA MVP last year?

Nikola Jokic secured his third NBA MVP trophy in four seasons last year, while he came second this past season to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

When will the NBA MVP be decided?

The NBA MVP was announced in late May this past season, so expect it then for this upcoming season.

What is the NBA MVP trophy called?

The NBA MVP trophy was renamed the Michael Jordan Trophy. It's awarded annually to the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

๐Ÿ’ฐ NBA betting odds pages

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