NBA MVP Odds 2024: Jokic Makes History With 3rd Award Over SGA, Doncic

Nikola Jokic closed as the consensus betting favorite by the NBA MVP odds before winning the award for a third time to cash on his short NBA odds.

In 2014, Nikola Jokic was drafted in the second round with a Taco Bell commercial playing over the selection. A decade later, he's a three-time MVP winner after one of the best four-year stretches by any player in NBA history.

The Denver Nuggets star closed as the runaway favorite by our best sports betting sites to take home his third NBA MVP award after winning in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Sure enough, voters rewarded another masterclass from the Serbian center with a record-setting third trophy - the ninth player to ever pull that off and the first since LeBron James in 2013:

Jokic opened the NBA season as the MVP favorite and fended off a worthy challenge from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), both of whom are still seeking their first MVP trophy. He also outlasted reigning MVP winner Joel Embiid, who was briefly the favorite but didn't hit the required 65 games to qualify.

In the end, none of them were a true match for Jokic, who helped keep the defending champion Nuggets near the top of the NBA championship odds with yet another spectacular season by just about every metric.

Here's a look at the closing 2024 NBA MVP odds from our best NBA betting sites:

NBA MVP odds 2024

(Odds as of April 16)

2024 NBA Most Valuable Player winner

Nikola Jokic (-4000 via DraftKings)

It's nearly impossible to continue to rack up MVP awards when compared to the ghosts of your own brilliance. Somehow, Jokic continues to rise to the occasion.

By season's end, the Nuggets star ranked in the top 10 in points (26.4), rebounds (12.4), and assists (9.0), all ranking equal or above his marks from those two previous MVP campaigns. He also finished with a career high in win shares (17.0), more than 2.5 better than anyone else this season.

Jokic opened as the MVP favorite across our best sports betting apps, and while he briefly fell behind Embiid in January, he reclaimed the top spot by February and never reliquished it amid a dominant campaign. We're witnessing history right now, and it's anyone's guess how many trophies Jokic will claim before he calls it quits.

NBA MVP odds over time

After opening as the MVP favorite ahead of the 2023-24 season, Jokic's biggest competition throughout this season was Embiid. After the 76ers star went down with a knee injury, Jokic became the clear favorite.

With Embiid not being able to hit the games played requirement for the award, Gilgeous-Alexander took the second spot behind Jokic in the odds race for a few months, but Doncic assumed that role late in the year with a strong surge since the All-Star break.

Neither had the juice to catch Jokic, who wrapped up his third MVP campaign in dominant fashion to leave no doubt in voters' minds.

NBA MVP opening odds

Odds as of Oct. 24, 2023

How to read NBA MVP odds

Reading NBA MVP odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of winning the MVP award. NBA MVP odds are typically presented in American odds. These use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a player's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the player wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.

When reading NBA MVP 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 MVP odds.

It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that MVP 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.

Past NBA MVP winners

NBA MVP FAQs

Who was the NBA MVP favorite?

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic closed as the clear betting favorite (-4000) heading into the final stretch of the NBA season, with Luka Doncic (+3000) dealing as the second choice across our best sportsbooks. Jokic's odds implied a 97.56% probability that he would win his third NBA MVP award in four seasons, which he ultimately did.

Who won the NBA MVP this year?

Nikola Jokic secured his third NBA MVP trophy in four seasons in 2023-24, ranking in the top 10 in points (26.4), rebounds (12.4), and assists (9.0) to run away with the award. 

Who won the NBA MVP last year?

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid won the 2022-23 NBA MVP award for the first time in his career, becoming the first Sixers player to win it since Allen Iverson in 2000-2001.

When will the NBA MVP be decided?

With the 2023-24 award announced on Wednesday, May 8, during the NBA playoffs, we can expect next year's award to be decided at a similar time.

What is the NBA MVP trophy called?

The NBA MVP trophy was renamed as the Michael Jordan Trophy. It will be awarded annually to the NBA's most valuable player.

NBA betting odds pages

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