MVP: The Players Who Could Shine This Year in the NBA
by Devesh Jaganath | by Cydias Aujard
MVP Favourites: Europe's Elite Dominate Leaderboard
The Dallas Mavericks had an incredible 2023-24 season. After reinforcing during the February trade deadline, the Mavs went 22-9 to finish fifth in the Western Conference and surpassed the New Orleans Pelicans to clinch the Southwest Division. In the Playoffs, Dallas defeated the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, each in six games, and proceeded to take down the Minnesota Timberwolves in five to progress to the NBA Finals for just the first time in the last 13 years.
The cornerstone of the franchise's success was none other than Luka Doncic, who averaged a remarkable 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 8.4 rebounds per game last season. Considering that the expectation is that the Mavs will be even better this year after adding Klay Thompson to their roster, Doncic is heavily tipped to improve his numbers even further and is already leading the charts as the odds-on MVP favourite with Bet365 pricing the Slovenian at 3.50 to claim the award.
Behind Doncic in the current MVP favourite odds is Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, currently at 4.50 with Betway. Indeed, the towering Serbian has been the driving force of the Nuggets franchise in recent times and after being crowned MVP again last season, he has now picked up the coveted award in three of the last four seasons (2020-21, 2021-22 and 2023-24). Perhaps the major factor playing against the Joker winning the award again this year is voting fatigue, while there are a few concerns over how the side will perform after allowing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to walk in free agency.
Speaking of voter fatigue, one of the players who has been affected by this in recent seasons is two-time MVP winner Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 'Greek Freak' received the award back-to-back in 2019 and 2020 suggesting that his voter-fatigue exile could have passed by now, and he may return to the discussion in the upcoming campaign. What could affect his chances, though, is that the Bucks are not the same force they were a few seasons ago and some may argue that the 2024-25 campaign could be the franchise's last stand with its core. Antetokounmpo is currently priced at 7.50 with William Hill to be named as this season's MVP.
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MVP Chasing Pack: USA to Challenge for Top Award
Over the last six years, only one American - Joel Embiid in 2022-23 - has been named as the NBA's MVP, but this season, US players look primed to stake a claim for the award. Somewhat unsurprisingly, leading the way is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is priced at 5.0 with Betway. SGA was second in the MVP voting a season ago and this year he has a better team around him.
However, one player who has shot up the charts during pre-season is New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson. While he is currently at longer odds (14.0) than some of the other players on this list, he did finish fifth in the MVP voting a season ago and the Knicks are expected to have a significantly improved offence this term after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves during the offseason.
Finally, there is no NBA award conversation to be had without including the Boston Celtics, who demolished all in their path en route to the title last season. The Celts are already showing up as the clear favourites to clinch the title again this season, and if they are to do so, rest assured that Jayson Tatum will be at the forefront of their success. He posted 26.9 points and 4.9 assists per game on 60.4 true shooting last time out and while teammate Jaylen Brown received most of the accolades for Boston's playoff performance last year, we're expecting Tatum to be recognised for his contribution to the franchise this season. The Celts' power forward has been allocated odds of 18.0 to be voted MVP with most bookmakers.
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Place a wager on the NBA MVP winnerMVP Darkhorses: Edwards, Wembanyama and Morant
Leading the 'darkhorse' MVP group is Anthony Edwards, who many agreed had his true breakthrough for the Timberwolves last season. After a season in which the Timberwolves returned to the Western Conference Finals with 56 regular season wins, they are widely expected to continue their dominance this year and Edwards will likely be the driving force of their offense, currently installed at odds of 14.0.
On to the San Antonio Spurs, and the defensive monster that is Victor Wembanyama. The Frenchman was a standout performer for the Spurs last year, despite the side having a dismal season, finishing second-bottom in the West and 21st overall in points allowed per possession. While he is now at 20.0 at the books, if the Spurs shape up this term, expect Wemby to be firmly in the MVP discussion.
Last, but certainly not least, rounding out our list of potential dark horses is the Memphis Grizzlies' main man Ja Morant. Many have forgotten the ability this man actually possesses after yet another suspension and subsequent injury last season, but considering he was an All-Star, MVP candidate and leader of a playoff team in the last two seasons he was fully fit, the Griz poster boy will be back in contention this year. You can lock in a very attractive 25.0 for Morant to end as this season's MVP at the moment.
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