NBA MVP Odds (2025-26)

The following post features NBA MVP Odds (2025-26).

As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, sportsbooks have released Most Valuable Player (MVP) odds, highlighting the leading candidates for the league’s top individual award.

Read: NBA Coach of the Year Odds

Related: NBA Most Improved Player Odds

As the MVP race heats up, bettors and fans can see which players are likely to carry their teams and stand out as the league’s top performers this season.

So, how is the NBA MVP race shaping up for 2025-26? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

Last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the NBA Most Valuable Player award, earning a decisive victory over two-time MVP Nikola Jokić (2nd place) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (3rd place). Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP campaign was built on his remarkable scoring efficiency and all-around production. He averaged a league-leading 32.7 points per game while also contributing 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 50.6% from the field. His ability to consistently carry the Thunder in crucial moments propelled the team to a franchise-record 68 wins and the top seed in the Western Conference, solidifying his status as the league’s standout performer and only the second Canadian to win the award after Steve Nash.

MVP Award

The NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, known as the Michael Jordan Trophy, is bestowed annually upon the player deemed to have delivered the most exceptional performance during the regular season. This award has been a cornerstone of league honors since the 1955-56 season, evolving from a player vote to its current format. The winner is selected by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league. Each voter submits a ballot for five choices, with a weighted points system (10-7-5-3-1). The key criteria for MVP are multifaceted: it weighs a player’s individual statistics, the success of their team (historically a top-three conference finish is vital), and the player’s overall impact, with a mandatory 65-game minimum recently introduced for eligibility.

MVP Award Odds (2025-26)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the NBA MVP Award. All odds were sourced on Oct 18, 2025. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Player Spotlights

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder, +160)

SGA, the reigning MVP, enters the season as the marginal favorite, benefiting from both his historical performance and team success. His case for a repeat is cemented by his elite two-way game: he averaged over 30 points for the third consecutive year with spectacular efficiency (51% from the field), while providing real defensive impact. The +160 odds rely on the Thunder remaining a top-two seed in the West. If he can maintain his high usage rate, durable availability, and unparalleled blend of volume scoring and efficiency, SGA will have the cleanest narrative path to another Michael Jordan Trophy.

Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets, +300)

Jokic is arguably the most impactful regular-season player, a three-time winner who averaged a career-high 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists last season yet finished second in voting. The betting value at +300 is based on his near-automatic statistical dominance and advanced metrics which show an unprecedented on/off net rating swing. His biggest challenge is “voter fatigue” and the narrative of team success; if Denver can rebound from last year’s No. 4 finish and claim a top-two seed in the West, his case of sustained, historic production becomes undeniable.

Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers, +400)

Doncic’s move to the Lakers and a subsequent reported physical transformation provides the freshest narrative among the top contenders. The +400 odds reflect the potential for a career-defining season driven by a renewed commitment to fitness and the spotlight of a major market. Now the undisputed primary playmaker on a revamped roster, the expectation is that he will deliver explosive counting stats (30-8-8 potential) while leading a revitalized Lakers squad to a high seed in the competitive West, finally capturing his first MVP award.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks, +1200)

The two-time MVP sits lower than expected, creating significant value for a player with his proven ceiling. The +1200 odds are tied to Milwaukee’s new roster configuration, which saw key depth traded away, forcing Antetokounmpo to carry an immense load. His case rests on the “carrying the team” narrative; if he can post colossal all-around numbers (30+ points, 12+ rebounds, 6+ assists) and drag the Bucks to a top-four seed in the East, his sheer dominance and statistical production would make him a compelling pick to win a third trophy.

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs, +1200)

Wembanyama is the highest-ceiling long shot on the board, representing a potential supernova candidate in only his third season. The +1200 odds reflect a belief that he could make an unprecedented jump, fueled by reports of intense offseason training focused on expanding his two-way dominance. His pathway involves posting historic defensive numbers (leading the league in blocks, near-contender for steals) combined with a statistical leap on offense (25-12-5). If the Spurs crash the playoff picture, Wembanyama’s unique and historic statistical profile gives him a potent “new blood” narrative.

MVP Award Winners (2015-Present)

The table below highlights every NBA Most Valuable Player Award winner since 2015.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are the frontrunners based on production, the best betting value lies with Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama, who offer strong returns by combining elite statistical output with the dominant team narratives required to win the Michael Jordan Trophy.