🏀 NBA Finals MVP Odds 2026: Why Wembanyama Is the Ultimate Underdog Bet
📡 SBR Edge: Grab Value on Wemby in Conference Finals
As we dive into the conference finals, our 2026 NBA Finals MVP odds break down who is favored to take home the award once the playoffs are over. We look at the odds for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-150), Victor Wembanyama (+340), Jalen Brunson (+750), and others as we make our best bet for NBA Finals MVP, analyze the latest betting insights, and more.
📊 NBA Finals MVP odds 2026
Our NBA Finals MVP odds update in real time based on the latest NBA odds.
Gilgeous-Alexander is a -150 betting favorite to win NBA Finals MVP for the second straight season. Wembanyama has the second-shortest odds at +340, while Brunson is the third-most likely player to take home the award at +750.
After the top three favorites, the odds increase significantly. Donovan Mitchell is +4000 to win the award, followed by Karl-Anthony Towns at +5000. If the Thunder win and Gilgeous-Alexander somehow isn't Finals MVP, the next most likely players on Oklahoma City are Chet Holmgren (+6000) and Jalen Williams (+8000).
💰 Best NBA Finals MVP bet
See all of our experts' NBA picks.
Victor Wembanyama to win Finals MVP (+340)
Wembanyama's odds are inflated because the Thunder are such a heavy favorite to win the West, but the market is undervaluing the Spurs in this matchup.
San Antonio won four of its five regular-season meetings against the Thunder, and if it upsets Oklahoma City in the West finals, Wembanyama will become a favorite to win this award.
The last two times the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year faced off in the conference finals or later, the DPOY won the series. Wembanyama is +340 at FanDuel, but I'd play this up to +275 on the best sports betting sites.
🤑 NBA Finals MVP betting insights
Betting insights via BetMGM, current as of May 18.
| Player 🏀 | Current odds 📈 | Ticket % 🎟️ | Handle % 💰 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | +350 | 11.8% | 8.6% |
| Jalen Brunson | +750 | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | -150 | 8.3% | 18.5% |
| LeBron James | Off the board (OTB) | 8% | 2.9% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | +4000 | 5.2% | 3.4% |
| Joel Embiid | OTB | 5.2% | 3.1% |
| Jayson Tatum | OTB | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Donovan Mitchell | +3300 | 4.5% | 1.2% |
| Stephon Castle | +10000 | 4.5% | 2.7% |
| Anthony Edwards | OTB | 4.2% | 3% |
The worst-case scenario from a handle perspective for BetMGM is if Gilgeous-Alexander wins Finals MVP. While he represents just 8.3% of tickets (behind Wembanyama and Brunson), he accounts for 18.5% of the handle (more than double Wembanyama's 8.6%).
Even though Wembanyama is the most popular choice right now at 11.8% of tickets, he represents only the third-largest handle, behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Brunson. The biggest bettors in the market seem to be backing Gilgeous-Alexander, with some others also finding value on Brunson ahead of the conference finals. Mitchell, despite having the fourth-shortest odds, accounts for just 1.2% of the handle.
🔢 NBA Finals MVP opening odds
Odds via FanDuel.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: +230
- Nikola Jokic: +900
- Donovan Mitchell: +1000
- Jalen Brunson: +1200
- Luka Doncic: +1700
- Kevin Durant: +1800
- Anthony Edwards: +2200
- Kawhi Leonard: +2500
- Paolo Banchero: +2700
- Evan Mobley: +3000
🏅 NBA Finals MVP past award winners
| Team | Year | Playoff odds |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 2025 | +1000 |
| Jaylen Brown | 2024 | +700 |
| Nikola Jokic | 2023 | -350 |
| Stephen Curry | 2022 | -110 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 2021 | +275 |
| LeBron James | 2020 | -160 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 2019 | +245 |
| Kevin Durant | 2018 | -135 |
| Kevin Durant | 2017 | +190 |
| LeBron James | 2016 | +225 |
| Andre Iguodala | 2015 | +12500 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 2014 | +1800 |
| LeBron James | 2013 | -250 |
❓ NBA Finals MVP FAQs
Who is the favorite to win NBA Finals MVP this season?
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the betting favorite to win NBA Finals MVP at -150 odds.
Who won NBA Finals MVP last year?
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won NBA Finals MVP last season.
When will the 2026 NBA Finals MVP be announced?
The NBA Finals MVP award will be announced following the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Finals in June.
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