The NBA’s premier talent is featured in the MVP race, making it one of the most intriguing awards to track throughout the regular season. Although there’s usually plenty of movement early on, the usual suspects tend to emerge as the year goes on.
Last season, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 71 of 100 first-place votes, beating out Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. He averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Here are the latest 2025-26 NBA MVP odds.
NBA MVP Betting Odds
All NBA odds are current as of Friday, Oct. 17, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (+220)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+275)
- Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers (+380)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+1100)
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+1200)
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (+2000)
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+3000)
- Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets (+4500)
All other NBA MVP candidates have odds of (+5000) or longer.
Who Will Win NBA MVP?
Luka Dončić (+380)
In 28 games with the Lakers last season, after one of the more shocking trades in the history of the NBA, Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for the team.
Now, as LeBron James enters the twilight of his career at 41 years old, Dončić will be the go-to guy on this team.
The key to him winning the award will be leading the Lakers to a top seed in the Western Conference and succeeding in the playoffs. We know Dončić has it in him and if he can do it in L.A. with all eyes on him, he has a great chance to take home the award.
Back Dončić to earn his first MVP award at (+380) with your NBA bet of the day.
NBA MVP Favorites
Nikola Jokić (+220)
A 3-time MVP already, Jokić is always going to be in the conversation. He’s an incredibly dominant player, finishing second or better in the voting in each of the last five seasons.
Last season, he played 70 games and averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Across seven games in the Conference Semifinals against the Thunder, he averaged 28.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game.
- Find out where the Nuggets stand in our NBA Power Rankings.
The Nuggets should once again be competitive with David Adelman in his first full season with the team. Although Jokić has slowed, there are no signs of slowing down.
Expect another triple-double season from the big man.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+275)
As mentioned at the top of this page, SGA won the MVP last season after averaging nearly 33 points and leading the Thunder to an NBA championship.
There’s really not a lot to say about him: he’s going to average 30-plus points per game, and the team will once again be one of the best in the league.
This could come down to which team trips up more between the Nuggets and Thunder.
NBA MVP Contenders
Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1100)
Antetokounmpo finished third in the MVP voting last season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Bucks are in an interesting spot in the East with Damian Lillard leaving and Myles Turner coming in.
The problem for Antetokounmpo is that the Nuggets and Thunder will continue to be good teams, and SGA and Jokić will dominate.
For Antetokounmpo to take the next step toward winning the MVP, the Bucks need to have a fantastic season and do better than the fifth seed in the East.
Victor Wembanyama (+1200)
Wembanyama is one of my favorite dark horses to win the NBA MVP award. He was the Rookie of the Year and finished second for the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023-24. Last season, he was an All-Star, averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. The problem, though, is that he played 46 games due to a blood clot in his right shoulder.
Now, if the Spurs take a massive step forward with a plethora of talent around him like De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and more, win 50-plus games, and Wembanyama continues to produce, he could make this race quite interesting down the stretch.
NBA MVP Sleepers
Anthony Edwards (+2000)
The Timberwolves finished 49-33 last season and Edwards helped lead the way, averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
The problem for Edwards is that, while his scoring can contend with the Jokićs, SGA’s, and Antetokounmpos of the world, he just doesn’t have the other stats, historically, to help catapult himself.
- The Timberwolves look like a major player in the 2025-26 NBA Finals odds.
Still, Edwards is extremely young at just 24. It may take some injuries and an even better season from the Timberwolves, but there’s no reason Edwards can’t finish around the top five.
Cade Cunningham (+3000)
It makes sense that the upstart Pistons superstar would come in a bit higher than expected at +3000. After all, last season he averaged 26,1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game across 70 games.
If he can work on his rebounds, get closer to that triple-double range, and the Pistons get into that 50-win category, he could make it an intriguing race, too.
There’s also the added quality that he’s helped resurrect basketball in Detroit, too, which certainly helps.
