NBA MVP Odds 2025: Jokic Only Threat to Gilgeous-Alexander
Despite Nikola Jokic already having three MVPs to his name, it looks like a nearly impossible task for him to catch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in this year's race.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star is the runaway favorite by the NBA MVP odds, with Jokic being the only other player with odds shorter than 125/1. If Gilgeous-Alexander keeps up his pace, this award race could be over by March.
This market wasn't impacted by Saturday night's blockbuster trade when the Dallas Mavericks sent Luke Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. All three of Doncic, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis were off the board before and after the trade. Thursday's NBA trade deadline should see these odds move with more deals around the Association.
NBA MVP odds 2025
NBA MVP odds from our best NBA betting sites.
- Gilgeous-Alexander is heavily juiced to take home the award after finishing top-five the past two seasons
- Jokic is looking to become the third four-time winner in a five-year span and the first since LeBron James from 2009 to 2013
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is the clear third-favorite at this point, and he's still a massive long shot
- Despite the Celtics leading the NBA championship odds, Jayson Tatum's odds imply a worse than 1% probability that he'll win the award
NBA MVP odds favorite 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP odds (-500)
Gilgeous-Alexander is the personification of consistency, as he's on pace to average 30-plus points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for the third straight season. After failing to bring home the league's most coveted individual award in previous campaigns, our best sports betting sites have him in the driver's seat.
He's putting up career-highs in PPG and steals per game, so as long as the face of Oklahoma City's young nucleus stays healthy, he looks like he should win his first MVP award.
Best odds: -500 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 83.33%
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Nikola Jokic MVP odds (+350)
Jokic is a one-man show, trying to lead the Denver Nuggets on another championship run. He leads his team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals, as he's enjoying arguably his best season to date. It's nearly unfathomable to say that about a three-time MVP, but Jokic continues to turn heads, even in his 10th season.
Voter fatigue is certainly starting to set in, though, and his odds at our best sportsbooks reflect that unfortunate reality. Nevertheless, if Jokic can win the award for the fourth time in five years, a $10 wager would return $35 in profits at FanDuel.
Best odds: +350 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 22.22%
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How to bet on NBA MVP odds
Betting on NBA MVP odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering NBA MVP futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +700, Player A is favored to win.
Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Player 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 MVP 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 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.
NBA MVP opening odds
- Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: +350
- Luka Doncic, Mavericks: +370
- Joel Embiid, 76ers: +550
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: +600
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: +650
- Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: +1200
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +1600
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks: +1600
- Stephen Curry, Warriors: +5000
- Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: +5000
- Ja Morant, Grizzlies: +5000
- Kevin Durant, Suns: +6000
NBA MVP odds history
| Year | Name | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
NBA MVP FAQs
Who is the NBA MVP odds favorite?
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the betting favorite to win NBA MVP honors with -500 odds, which represent an 83.33% implied probability, according to our odds converter.
Who won the NBA MVP last year?
Nikola Jokic secured his third NBA MVP trophy in four seasons in 2024, ranking in the top 10 in points (26.4), rebounds (12.4), and assists (9.0) to run away with the award.
When will the NBA MVP be decided?
We can expect this year's award to be decided at a similar time as last season, which was during the NBA playoffs on May 8.
What is the NBA MVP trophy called?
The NBA MVP trophy was renamed as the Michael Jordan Trophy. It's awarded annually to the NBA's most valuable player.
NBA betting odds pages
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