NBA MVP Betting Odds

nba mvp odds

The NBA MVP odds for the 2025–26 season have already been released, giving bettors an early look at who’s leading the pack. Last season, we tracked the race closely across top-tier NBA betting sites —and now, a new group of contenders is emerging.

MVP Winners Odds 2025/26Bovada Sportsbook Review 2025MyBookie Sportsbook Review 2025BetOnline Sportsbook & Casino Review 2025
Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander+200+250+250
Nikola Jokic+200+230+250
Giannis Antetokounmpo+700+700+750
Luka Doncic+800+800+850
Anthony Edwards+1000+1000+1100
Victor Wembanyama+1800+1800+2000
Last updated on: November 14, 2025

The 2025/26 NBA MVP betting odds are a hot topic among basketball fans, as they offer bettors the opportunity to follow their favorite players’ progress throughout the season, with a little extra clout in the game.

Here at MyTopSportsbooks, we’ve regularly discussed Luka Dončić’s brilliance, but he’s still chasing his first MVP trophy. For bettors exploring NBA MVP betting, the field remains stacked with elite talent. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo headline the current NBA MVP odds, each offering a strong case based on team success and individual dominance.

As the season unfolds, expect new contenders to emerge and the NBA MVP betting odds to shift with every major performance. And while regular-season MVP honors are the focus for now, many of these same names will also feature prominently in NBA Finals MVP odds once playoff time arrives.

We’ll take a look at all NBA playoffs candidates and make some MVP picks based on the current MVP NBA betting odds. As well as that, we’ll provide information on how to bet on NBA finals MVP odds in 2025/26.

Who Will Be the 2025–26 NBA MVP?

The NBA MVP race for 2025–26 is shaping up as one of the most competitive in recent memory, led by a trio of established superstars. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, opens the season as a slight favorite in most NBA MVP odds after guiding Oklahoma City to the top of the Western Conference last year. His blend of efficiency, defense, and late-game control keeps him firmly in contention to repeat.

Nikola Jokić, already a two-time MVP, continues to dominate every statistical category for Denver, and as long as the Nuggets remain near the top of the standings, he’ll stay within striking distance of another trophy. Luka Dončić rounds out the front-runners; his elite scoring and playmaking ensure Dallas remains relevant in both the playoff and MVP conversations.

For bettors tracking NBA MVP betting markets, these three headline the field, but with emerging stars closing the gap, expect the odds to fluctuate throughout the season.

NBA MVP Betting Guide Image

Who Will be the 2025/26 NBA MVP?

While Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the NBA’s most physically dominant players, Milwaukee’s uneven form has kept him on the fringes of the MVP conversation heading into 2025–26. Victor Wembanyama continues to draw attention as a generational talent, but San Antonio’s rebuild makes his candidacy a long shot, at least for now.

Still, both players carry strong upside for bettors willing to take a value play. If the Bucks regain their defensive edge or the Spurs make an unexpected playoff push, Giannis or Wemby could quickly move from dark horses to headline contenders. For those betting beyond the usual favorites, these stars remain speculative but intriguing picks.

Key Dates for the 2025–26 NBA Season & MVP Race

The NBA MVP race unfolds across the entire regular season, from Opening Night to the league’s annual awards ceremony. Here are the milestones every bettor should note:

Date Event
October 21, 2025 NBA Regular Season Tip-Off – The 2025–26 campaign begins, marking the official start of MVP betting action.
December 25, 2025 Christmas Day Games – Midseason showdowns that often shift MVP odds as top contenders meet on national TV.
February 13–17, 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend (Los Angeles) – A key checkpoint in the MVP race, with performances influencing mid-season favorites.
April 14, 2026 End of Regular Season – Final stats and team success determine the true frontrunners before voting begins.
Mid-April 2026 NBA Playoffs Begin – MVP voting is completed before the playoffs, so postseason performance doesn’t affect results.
June 2026 (TBD) NBA Awards Ceremony – The league announces the Most Valuable Player and other season honors at a televised gala.

How to Read 2025/26 NBA MVP Odds

For bettors who are just learning how to read NBA MVP odds, it’s important to understand that these futures markets are typically displayed with a “+” sign rather than the “–” used for clear favorites in single-game matchups. The lower the number after the “+”, the stronger the favorite.

Here’s a look at the current top four contenders:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +200
  • Nikola Jokić +230
  • Luka Dončić +700
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo  +1000

NBA MVP odds use a “+” format, meaning you win that amount on a $100 bet. The lower the number after the “+”, the more likely the player is to win—so in this case, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite at +200, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is a longer shot at +1000. For example, a $100 bet on Shai would return $300 total ($200 profit), while the same bet on Giannis would return $1,100 total ($1,000 profit).

What is a Futures bet?

These types of bets as they’re described. A bet that is made based on events that will happen later down the line. In the case of the NBA MVP, odds will be displayed on the majority of sportsbook providers from the beginning of the season, with the odds changing as the regular season progresses.

With futures bets, it’s always worth going back to check the MVP odds for the NBA on players as the season unfolds. Oddsmakers will tinker with the odds throughout the season – you can keep track of the odds here!

Why do NBA MVP Odds & Lines Change during the season?

NBA MVP odds fluctuate throughout the season based on player performance, team success, and media narratives. A hot streak, injury, or slump can quickly alter a player’s chances, while team wins or losses can also impact perceptions of a candidate’s value. Additionally, betting volume and public perception can cause shifts in the odds as more people place bets on a particular player.

Why Does the NBA MVP Favorite Have Plus-Odds?

Even the NBA MVP favorite often has plus-odds early in the season because of the unpredictability of the entire season. Injuries, changes in performance, and team dynamics can all affect a player’s chances, meaning sportsbooks are reluctant to offer negative odds until a clear frontrunner has emerged. Plus-odds give bettors a better return on risk while the outcome remains uncertain.

How Does Scoring (PPG) Factor In?

Points per game (PPG) is one of the key metrics that influence MVP voting, as high-scoring players are often seen as the most valuable. While scoring isn’t the only factor, leading the league in PPG can significantly enhance a player’s MVP chances, especially if combined with overall team success. Historically, many MVP winners rank near the top in scoring during their winning seasons.

Which Positions Most Often Win NBA MVP?

Historically, guards and forwards have won the NBA MVP award more frequently than centers. Point guards and small forwards, such as Stephen Curry and LeBron James, dominate recent MVP wins due to their versatility and scoring ability. Centers, while still valuable, have seen fewer MVP wins in recent years, though players like Nikola Jokić have revived the trend.

How Old is the Average NBA MVP Winner?

The average age of an NBA MVP winner is around 27-28 years old. This is typically the period when a player is in their prime, combining peak athletic performance with years of experience. Recent winners like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić have also followed this trend, winning in their mid-to-late 20s.

How Does Team Success (Record) Impact NBA MVP Voting?

Team success is a major factor in NBA MVP voting, as voters often prioritize players who lead their teams to top-tier records. MVP candidates on NBA teams with losing or mediocre records are rarely considered serious contenders, even if their individual statistics are impressive. Typically, MVP winners come from teams finishing in the top few seeds of their conference.

Are Playoff Results a Factor for NBA MVP Voting?

No, playoff results do not factor into the NBA MVP award, as the voting process is completed before the postseason begins. The MVP is strictly a regular-season award, though playoff performance can shape future perceptions of a player’s legacy. Despite this, players who perform well in both the regular season and playoffs often strengthen their case for future MVP campaigns.

NBA Voting Process

The NBA MVP voting process involves a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from across the U.S. and Canada, who rank their top five candidates. Each first-place vote earns a player 10 points, second place earns seven, and so on, with the player accumulating the most points being named MVP. Fan voting does not play a role in determining the MVP.

NBA MVP Voting Weaknesses

One of the primary criticisms of the MVP voting process is its subjectivity, as voters can be influenced by narratives, media hype, and regional bias. Additionally, players on weaker teams often get overlooked, even if their individual performances are stellar. Some also argue that MVP voting tends to favor offensive stats over defensive impact or other less quantifiable aspects of a player’s game.

Previous NBA MVP Winners

Tracking recent winners gives bettors valuable insight into how MVP voting trends evolve — individual dominance, team record, and late-season momentum all play a role in shaping NBA MVP betting odds. Here’s a look back at the last ten winners heading into the 2025–26 season:

Season Winner Team Notes
2024–25 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Oklahoma City Thunder Claimed his first MVP after leading OKC to the top of the Western Conference.
2023–24 Nikola Jokić Denver Nuggets Earned his third MVP with another near-triple-double campaign.
2022–23 Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Captured his long-awaited MVP with a dominant scoring season.
2021–22 Nikola Jokić Denver Nuggets Went back-to-back thanks to elite efficiency and advanced metrics.
2020–21 Nikola Jokić Denver Nuggets First MVP in franchise history; carried Denver through injuries.
2019–20 Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks Repeated as MVP with Milwaukee atop the East.
2018–19 Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks First MVP; established himself as the league’s most dominant two-way player.
2017–18 James Harden Houston Rockets Led the league in scoring and guided Houston to 65 wins.
2016–17 Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder Averaged a triple-double for the first time since Oscar Robertson.
2015–16 Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors First-ever unanimous MVP after a record 73-win season.

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