Steve Starr
- BetOnline has released early odds on who will win the 2020 NBA Most Valuable Player Award
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (+300) is the early favorite to win his second-straight MVP award
- Steph Curry (+500) and Kawhi Leonard (+700) are also top contenders for the honor
Following a frenetic free-agency season that saw stars such as Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, and Kyrie Irving switch teams, there has been a tectonic shift in the balance of power in the NBA.
After reviewing the latest 2020 NBA Championship Odds, today we look at BetOnline to find the best bets for next season’s league MVP.
Odds to Win 2020 NBA Regular Season MVP
| Player | Odds |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +300 |
| Steph Curry | +500 |
| James Harden | +550 |
| Kawhi Leonard | +700 |
| LeBron James | +700 |
| Anthony Davis | +1000 |
*All odds taken 07/09/19
The Favorite: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Upon accepting the 2019 NBA MVP Award, the Greek Freak further cemented his status as the league’s most-likable player with an emotional tribute to his late father.
Last year, the Bucks superstar averaged career-highs of 27.7 points and 12.5 rebounds, shooting 57.8% from the field with 5.9 assists per game. While he faced criticism for being outplayed by Kawhi Leonard in the Eastern Conference Finals, the 24-year-old unicorn hasn’t even hit his prime yet and is bound to get even better.
Giannis got emotional as he paid tribute to his family while accepting the #KiaMVP trophy. ?#NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/T8p5XH73cZ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 25, 2019
If he can win back-to-back NBA MVPs, Giannis would become just the twelfth player to accomplish the feat and first since Steph Curry in 2016.
The Two-Time League MVP: Steph Curry
With star Kevin Durant out the door and Klay Thompson not expected back until March, life will no doubt be more difficult for Curry next season.
This challenging set up is exactly what makes him such an attractive MVP bet. We all know the 31-year-old will make the same impossible shots as always, only this time he will be given full credit for the Warriors’ success.
“If you say they’re not going to make the playoffs, to me what you’re saying is Steph Curry should never have been a unanimous MVP in this league on a 73-win team.”
—@JalenRose pic.twitter.com/6dLEw3kkrA
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 2, 2019
If Curry can put him numbers close to his magical 2015-16 season and single-handedly lead Golden State to a high playoff seed, there will be a strong media narrative in his favor.
The Two-Time Finals MVP: Kawhi Leonard
After dominating the postseason and hand-delivering a NBA championship to an entire nation, Kawhi reigned over the offseason, controlling basketball Twittersphere for a solid week during NBA Free Agency.
Having already seized “Best Player In The League” status from LeBron, KD, and Curry, Leonard will now be looking to win his first regular season MVP award to match his two Finals MVP trophies.
Kawhi Leonard is the first player in NBA history to join a new team right after winning Finals MVP pic.twitter.com/bXg3l2A6XG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 6, 2019
If Board Man is able to lift a middling Clippers franchise to one of the league’s top teams, voters will be eager to crown him. However, the 28-year-old sat out 22 games for the Raptors last season and it’s hard to believe Los Angeles won’t employ the same wildly successful load management approach.
