NBA MVP Odds 2025: Jokic Surges to Reclaim Favorite Status
Some things in the NBA change, but they often stay the same. That is certainly the case in this year's Most Valuable Player race, in which Nikola Jokic is the favorite to win for the fourth time despite starting the season third in the market at our best NBA betting sites.
- Jokic has surged up the leaderboard after a monster start to the year, as he's nearly single-handedly led the Denver Nuggets to an 11-9 record
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the favorite earlier in the season and has simply been overtaken by the dominance of "The Joker"
- Jayson Tatum has fallen down to the fifth option in the market, despite leading a Celtics team that paces the NBA championship odds in points per game
Here are the full NBA Most Valuable Player odds as the new campaign has now been active for nearly two months.
NBA MVP odds 2025
NBA MVP odds from our best sports betting sites.
- Antetokounmpo has clearly held up his end of the bargain with his play for the Milwaukee Bucks, but his team's poor start to the campaign could cause complications for his MVP candidacy
- Mitchell is leading the way for the stunning Cleveland Cavaliers, who jumped out to a historic 15-0 start on the season, but the team's overall depth in the starting five has hurt his counting stats
- Like every season, Doncic remains a serious threat to take home the award thanks to his terrific offensive play with the Dallas Mavericks
NBA MVP favorite 2025
Nikola Jokic (+300)
The Nuggets started the season concerningly slow, lacking depth and scoring outside of three-time MVP Jokic. And then, their Serbian superstar went nuclear to help right the ship.
Jokic went on a tear across four games from Nov. 4 to 10, averaging a beyond-ridiculous 29.5 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 14.5 assists while hitting 56.6% of his shots. The Nuggets won every contest in that span.
Jokic missed three games due to personal reasons in November, and the Nuggets went just 1-2. His sheer importance to his squad is a large reason why he has surged from No. 3 in the MVP oddsboard to a No. 1 spot.
There simply isn't something Jokic can't do. He leads the Nuggets in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals, while also shooting a remarkable 55.9% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
If Jokic is able to continue his dominance and win a fourth MVP award, a $10 bet would return a $30 profit.
Best odds: +300 via BetRivers | Implied probability: 25%
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My NBA MVP candidate to watch
Jayson Tatum (+2000)
Tatum jumped all the way to below +500 at some points in November to win the MVP award, but he has fallen down the leaderboard as he's cooled off slightly from a red-hot start and other candidates have made more noise.
He's still one of the best values on the board amid his sizzling start to the season for the Celtics, who look every bit as dominant this year as they did in their title season.
Meanwhile, Tatum has still been exceptional on both ends of the floor, averaging 28.7 points per game, 8.7 rebounds, and a career-best 5.6 assists. He's also hitting a career-high in 3-pointers per game (4.0).
Tatum seems especially motivated to prove the doubters wrong this year after getting snubbed for NBA Finals MVP honors last year and enduring a rocky run during the Olympics this past summer.
The Celtics star has been named to the All-NBA first team in three consecutive seasons while finishing in the top six in MVP voting each time. If he finally finishes the deal, a $10 bet at some of our best sports betting apps would return a $200 profit.
Best odds: +2000 via BetRivers| Implied probability: 4.76%
How to bet on NBA MVP
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 odds over time
Latest odds via FanDuel.
| Player | Opening odds (June 18) | July 1 | Oct. 12 | Dec. 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | +350 | +350 | +475 | +150 |
| Luka Doncic | +370 | +370 | +375 | +1000 |
| Joel Embiid | +550 | +600 | +850 | OFF |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | +600 | +600 | +450 | +340 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +650 | +650 | +1100 | +650 |
| Anthony Edwards | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 | +2000 |
| Jayson Tatum | +1600 | +1800 | +1800 | +550 |
| Jalen Brunson | +1600 | +1800 | +1400 | +10000 |
| Stephen Curry | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 | +7500 |
| Victor Wembanyama | +5000 | +2200 | +2000 | +10000 |
| Ja Morant | +5000 | +5000 | +3500 | +25000 |
| Kevin Durant | +6000 | +6000 | +8000 | +7500 |
| Zion Williamson | +10000 | +10000 | +9000 | OFF |
| Kawhi Leonard | +10000 | +15000 | +20000 | OFF |
| Donovan Mitchell | +10000 | +10000 | +9000 | +3000 |
| Anthony Davis | +10000 | +10000 | +15000 | +4000 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 | OFF |
| Jaylen Brown | +12000 | +15000 | +20000 | +25000 |
| Devin Booker | +12000 | +12000 | +12500 | +15000 |
| Trae Young | +15000 | +8000 | +10000 | +50000 |
| LeBron James | +20000 | +20000 | +15000 | +10000 |
Past NBA MVP winners
| 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 favorite?
Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic is the betting favorite to win NBA MVP honors with +300 odds representing a 25% 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 2023-24, 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?
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's awarded annually to the NBA's most valuable player.
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