OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 9: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts to drive past Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Paycom Center on March 9, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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The NBA MVP is one of the most prized awards in the league and winning the honor can change the trajectory of a career. The players at the top of the list have mostly remained the same, but every season brings a new surprise.
Here is the case for each of the following players to win MVP this season and the current betting odds for winning it:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +210
It’s pretty easy to be the betting favorite to win the award after you just won it, right? Gilgeous-Alexander had an incredible season that was topped off with the hoisting of the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in June. The numbers speak for themselves with the reigning MVP. He led the NBA in shot attempts last season with 21.8 attempts, and still placed 17th in the league in true shooting percentage.
The efficiency being off the charts coupled with his low turnover percentage makes him a menace to deal with. On top of that, the Oklahoma City Thunder are able to rely on him as a playmaker on the defensive end of the court, which helps them maintain balance with an array of lineups. The team being the overwhelming favorite to repeat as champions makes Gilgeous-Alexander a solid candidate to do the same with the MVP trophy.
Nikola Jokic +310
Jokic continues to be branded as the best player on the planet, and it’s truly hard to argue with the numbers he posts. He has placed 1st or 2nd in MVP voting in each of the past five seasons, and continues to play in nearly every game. His durability combined with his steadiness as an offensive force makes him an attractive choice each and every season.
Last season he averaged over 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and somehow didn’t win the MVP award. The ability to efficiently post elite numbers makes him a one of a kind at his size. He currently holds the NBA record for his career average in PER, Win Shares per 48 minutes and box plus minus, which proves he’s one of the best players the NBA has ever seen. Winning the award could be tough for Jokic because of voter fatigue, but he continually pushes his game to new heights.
Luka Doncic +370
The numbers he recorded for the Los Angeles Lakers last season left something to be desired. He failed to earn MVP votes for the first time since his rookie season (he was ineligible for the award this season because he missed too many games), but his newfound physique might be a sign that he is ready to return to his old self.
Luka was still an incredibly effective player last season. He hovered around his career averages in points, rebounds and assists while maintaining a true shooting percentage that matched what he had done throughout his career. The glitz of Los Angeles and a strong regular season record could propel him to the top of this list by the end of the year.
Giannis Antetokounmpo +1000
Jokic has had an incredible run of consistency, but it appears Antetokounmpo might top him. He has seven straight seasons in which he has finished among the top-five in MVP voting. Antetokounmpo is like a machine that keeps churning out excellence by getting to the free throw line a ton, finishing strong at the rim and getting out in transition.
Last year was the first season in which he dramatically shifted off of his looks from behind the arc and took a step inside of it instead. He was one of the more effective big men at hitting those attempts at 47 percent. That should help provide some longevity to his career and add an element that keeps defenders honest as he ages. Milwaukee has some holes on the roster, but the 30-year-old should still be able to carry them to a strong regular season record.
Victor Wembanyama +1500
This feels a bit premature, but maybe it’s not. Wembanyama flirted with an All-NBA selection before a blood clot knocked him out for the last two months of the season. He’s been cleared to return and the San Antonio Spurs seem ready to make some noise in a crowded Western Conference.
His absurd block percentage helps cement him as a defensive stalwart, and he was likely the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year until his injury. The key for his chance of winning the MVP will be turning the Spurs into one of the best defenses in the league. He may have a real shot if he’s able to do that along with pushing them into the playoffs.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM. All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.