NBA MVP Odds 2025: Jokic, Doncic Favorites; Wembanyama Surging Amid Free Agency

Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are the favorites by the 2025 NBA MVP odds across our best NBA betting sites as Victor Wembanyama continues to climb the oddsboard.

The NBA is finding talent all over the world, and nothing proves that more than the NBA MVP odds being dominated by players born outside of the U.S. So while the U.S. lead the men's Olympic basketball odds, it's a Serbian in Nikola Jokic and Slovenian in Luka Doncic who are expected to win MVP.

However, despite those two opening as the clear favorites and remaining there following the 2024 NBA Draft, our best sports betting sites have seen Victor Wembanyama make the most movement.

The San Antonio Spurs star opened as long as +5000 to take home the award. He's now as short as +2000 with the Spurs drafting NBA Rookie of the Year odds contender Stephon Castle and signing Chris Paul.

While Wembanyama is everyone's favorite bet to win MVP, there are a half dozen star players on teams with better NBA championship odds that he'll have to compete with for the honor.

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

NBA MVP odds 2025

NBA MVP odds from our best sports betting apps as of July 2 | 🔥 = best odds | ❄️ = worst odds

2025 NBA Most Valuable Player favorites

Nikola Jokic (+400)

For four straight seasons, Jokic has either won NBA MVP or NBA Finals MVP. With three MVPs in the last four regular seasons, it's hard to argue there's a better player in the world than Jokic. The six-time All-Star is in his prime on a championship-contending squad.

This past season, Jokic averaged 26.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, and 9.0 APG — it was the second straight year he was a hair shy of a triple-double. He was the only player in the NBA to average over 12 rebounds and nine assists per game. Heck, he was one of only two players to put up double-digit rebounds and over seven assists per game, and the other was Domantas Sabonis, who averaged seven fewer points per game.

With the Nuggets' most important players returning in 2024-25, Jokic is poised to continue producing numbers like a modern, healthy Bill Walton.

Best odds: +400 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 20%

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Luka Doncic (+400)

It's safe to say the NBA season didn't go as planned for Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks were inconsistent throughout the year but caught fire down the stretch and fought to an NBA Finals berth. But then it all fell apart, and Doncic ended up taking most of the blame.

Doncic finished third in MVP voting in 2022-23, and the lasting memory of 2023-24 will be his disappointing NBA Finals performance. Fair or not, that could provide the motivation required to find another level during the 2024-25 season.

The five-time All-Star is still just 25 years old, so it's safe to assume there's more growth coming. And the thought of him getting better is terrifying given that he led the NBA in PPG this past season with 33.9 while adding 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds.

Best odds: +400 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 20%

Joel Embiid (+600)

Before going down with an injury in December and eventually missing all of March and April, Embiid looked like the only player capable of dethroning Jokic's MVP bid. It wouldn't have been the first time, either, with Embiid being the only player not named Jokic to win MVP over the last four years. 

We saw Embiid return late in the regular season and in the playoffs, so he should be healthy for the beginning of the 2024-25 season. But can he stop Jokic again? It's hard to say, especially given the perception around the Philadelphia 76ers big man.

One thing is for certain: He will put up MVP-caliber numbers when he's on the court. Embiid has averaged over 30 PPG in each of the last three seasons and double-digit rebounds, and he'll now have high-profile running mate Paul George to help ease his nightly burden in the regular season. Maybe that can help him stay healthy.

Best odds: +600 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 14.29%

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My NBA MVP candidate to watch

Victor Wembanyama (+3000)

If Wembanyama wins MVP this season, he will be the youngest in league history to be given the honor. Derrick Rose was 22 when he became the youngest NBA MVP, and Wemby doesn't turn 21 until January. So to believe he can win the award might seem crazy on the surface, but he was incredible down the stretch last season.

While he looked like a star pretty much immediately, there was clear growth as the season went on. Wemby averaged 18.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.9 APG, 3.1 BPG, 1.3 SPG, and 1.4 3PG over his first 28 games. Over his final 29, those numbers increased to 22.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 5.0 APG, 4.2 BPG, 1.4 SPG, and 2.2 3PG.

He's one of the most terrifying all-around threats in recent memory. Something that could really help his case against Jokic and Doncic is his defensive prowess. Wembanyama is expected to open as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds favorite.

Best odds: +3000 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 3.23%

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NBA MVP odds over time

Odds via DraftKings.

Past NBA MVP winners

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 FAQs

Who is the NBA MVP favorite?

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic opened as the betting favorite to repeat as MVP with odds as short as +350. Those odds imply a 22.22% probability that he'll win his fourth MVP in five seasons.

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.

NBA betting odds pages

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