NBA Finals MVP Power Rankings: Jayson Tatum Chasing Steph Curry

On the cusp of reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2019, the Golden State Warriors are the favorites to win the NBA title. Superstar point guard Steph Curry is naturally the favorite to win Finals MVP.

That doesn’t mean he is a lock to win it, however. Even though the Boston Celtics are tied 2-2 with the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Final, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is establishing his credentials as a premier talent and has the second shortest odds behind Curry.

Here are the latest NBA Finals MVP odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook. We take a look at six of the top contenders below.

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Steph Curry

Even though he has been a game-changing force and two-time MVP, Curry has yet to win a Finals MVP. Kevin Durant took home the honors in each of Golden State’s past two titles in 2017 and 2018, and Andre Iguodala got the nod in 2015.

He is averaging 26.7 points per game in the playoffs, but he is also capable of more if needed. It hasn’t been needed in this year’s playoff run, but if the Warriors go on to win another title, Curry is the leading candidate for Finals MVP.

Jayson Tatum

Tatum has emerged in this postseason as a star, gaining credibility as the Celtics knocked off the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks in the first two rounds. He has averaged 27.2 points per game in 15 playoff games but if the Celtics reach the final and have to knock off the Warriors, they might need Tatum to turn up his scoring.

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He has put up 30 or more points six times in the playoffs, and 29 in three more games. If he can put in that kind of work in the Finals and the Celtics win, Tatum will be a likely choice.

Jimmy Butler

Few players have a reputation for raising their level of play in the postseason like Butler and he has put up 26.5 points per game in the playoffs.

He is also a tenacious defender and if the Heat are going to emerge from the Eastern Conference, it is likely going to be on the back of the veteran forward. Butler has been held to 14 points in nearly 47 minutes while battling injuries in the past two games.

Klay Thompson

Always an outstanding running mate for Curry, Thompson is the other half of the Splash Brothers and has returned from a torn ACL this season to give the Warriors a shot at contending once again.

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Thompson is averaging 19 points per game in the playoffs but is an elite shooter who can heat up quickly. If Curry somehow gets locked up, Thompson may be the Warrior with the next best chance at Finals MVP.

Draymond Green

While Draymond has been a critical piece in three Warriors championships, he would present an enormous test for the NBA Finals MVP voters because he does not score.

He is averaging 8.1 points per game in the playoffs, and just 4.8 points per game against Dallas in the Western Conference Final, so it would require paying serious attention to Green’s defensive impact for him to win Finals MVP. While that seems unlikely, that was really the path to Iguodala winning in 2015 so it should not be dismissed out of hand.

Jaylen Brown

While Tatum has established that he is the top option in Boston, it’s not like Brown has faded into the background. He is a solid wing defender who is averaging 22.9 points per game in the playoffs.

If the Celtics win and Brown is putting up points to go along with his sound defensive game, maybe he gets the award ahead of Tatum. It's not the most likely result, but not a big reach, either.

Here are the latest NBA Championship odds from DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars Sportsbook.

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