The first week of the NBA season is in the books, and we have seen a ton of exciting action. We have seen some of the league’s young stars start out hot, begging the question if one of them can unseat Nikola Jokic as the league’s MVP.
Below we will share our three favorite longshots to win this year’s MVP. We will provide the odds and insights you need to pick a high-value winner at NBA betting sites.
+1600 to win MVP at DraftKings Sportsbook
The 6’6” point guard from Oklahoma City took the league by storm last season and has started hot in 2023. He is averaging 26.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists across his first four games. He has also been stellar on defense, posting ten steals and three blocks. While he doesn’t score from the outside, his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates makes him elite.
Aside from his talent, we like SGA as a longshot MVP candidate due to the team he plays for. The Thunder have a young and talented roster and are expected to be a playoff team. If he can take this OKC team to the next level, it will put him on the map and establish just how valuable of a player he is.
SGA is a gamer who has not dealt with many injuries, which means he should see plenty of action this season. If he can match his production from last year and lead the Thunder on a playoff run, it could be more than enough to land him the 2023 MVP award.
+2300 to win MVP at FanDuel Sportsbook
KD may be approaching the end of his career, but he is in a prime position to add another MVP to his collection. The future Hall of Famer has looked great to start the season, averaging 27.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He also has three blocks and four steals over his first four games of the year.
One big reason we like Durant’s chances to win is that he plays for a great Suns team. They have three stars and a bench that has been improved from last season. Durant will most certainly be one of the leaders, another great statistical season could land him a ton of MVP votes.
One other reason we like Durant over teammates Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is his health. Durant has had some major injuries, but he has been healthy to start the season. Conversely, Beal and Booker are already dealing with lingering injuries that have caused them to miss several games already. If Durant can stay healthy, he would be the teams top MVP candidate.
+3000 to win MVP at BetMGM Sportsbook
Few players have looked better than Donovan Mitchell to begin the season. He is averaging 32.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 steals across three games. His combination of elite scoring and defense makes him one of the best players in the league. The 27-year-old is coming off his best career season, and we think he elevates his game again in 2023-24.
On top of Mitchell’s skill, he also plays for a very good Cavs team. While they disappointed last season, the Cavs are expected to contend for a top-four seed in the East. They have a ton of young talent, but they couldn’t quite put it all together last season. If the team can improve on the offensive end, where they struggled last season, there is no reason why they can’t compete with the Bucks and Celtics in the East.
Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid. As an adult, Michael started picking games for a small sports betting site and has built it into a career. His experience allows him to provide tips and information to help other bettors improve their game. Michael cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams, the Arizona State Sun Devils (his alma mater), and the Ottawa Senators. He specializes in baseball betting but has extensive experience in football, basketball, and hockey. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children or hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
