Steve Starr
- Go to Bovada for the latest 2021 NBA MVP odds
- LeBron James (+200) is the heavy favorite to win his first Most Valuable Player award in eight seasons
- Nikola Jokic (+400) and Joel Embiid (+500) were named players of the month in their respective conferences in both December and January
LeBron James was “pissed off” he got only 16 out of 101 MVP votes last season, but the Los Angeles Lakers superstar got the last laugh in winning his fourth-career NBA title.
Still not having lost a step at age 36, the King is now a +200 favorite to win his fifth-career NBA MVP in 2021 but there are others standing in his way. Before taking a look at the latest award odds, be sure to check out our NBA betting guide for tips and advice on wagering on basketball.
2021 NBA MVP Odds
 |
|
| LeBron James | +200 |
| Nikola Jokic | +400 |
| Joel Embiid | +500 |
| Kevin Durant | +550 |
| Luka Doncic | +850 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +1400 |
| Steph Curry | +1400 |
| Damian Lillard | +3300 |
| Kawhi Leonard | +3600 |
| Anthony David | +6000 |
LeBron James Favored For Fifth NBA MVP
While many speculated that LeBron James (+200) would put the regular season on autopilot and let teammate Anthony Davis (+6000) take the reigns, the exact opposite has happened. With Davis meandering through games early in the year, it’s James who is once again leading his club with averages of 25.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game.
Sportswriters know they’re beginning to look silly for ignoring LeBron over the past eight seasons and with the Lakers currently the heavy favorites to win their second-consecutive championship (+220 at BetOnline), they should be eager to crown the King with his first NBA MVP since the 2012-13 campaign.
Winning the award for the fifth time would move James into a tie with Michael Jordan and Bill Russell, just one behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. We would bet on it happening, but there are other contenders who could steal James’ MVP.
Other MVP contenders
Nikola Jokic (+400) is putting up jaw-dropping numbers (26.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 8.6 apg) that are superior to LeBron’s across the board. The skilled Serbian is only the fourth player in NBA history to put up 500-plus points, 200-plus rebounds and 150-plus assists through the season’s first 20 games, however, his Nuggets are barely over .500 with a 12-10 record. For Jokic to win MVP, his teammates will have to play much better in the season’s second half.
Making a leap under coach Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid (+500) has put up 34 or more points in six of his last seven outings. With the 76ers in first place in the Eastern Conference, the big man from Cameroon is building an excellent MVP case that will be bolstered further if he can somehow stay healthy. After missing significant time in each of his first four seasons, the 26-year-old is a risky bet.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic (West) and Philly’s Joel Embiid (East) were named conference players of the month for December and January, per the NBA. Knicks’ Julius Randle and Nets’ Kevin Durant were among nominees for the East. pic.twitter.com/K7XYwmHaYa
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 2, 2021
Our preseason pick for NBA MVP at +1200, Kevin Durant is now at +550 after averaging 29.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 18 contests this season. The 32-year-old has proved he’s all the way back from his Achilles injury, but coronavirus health and safety protocols have knocked him out of a bunch of games already.
Considering the circus-like atmosphere in Brooklyn, it’s difficult to see KD winning league MVP with three-time scoring champ James Harden now in town, but it’s not out of the question if LeBron suffers an injury down the stretch.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
