We’re just a day away from tipping off the 2025-26 NBA season, making it the perfect time to dive into the MVP odds ahead of opening night. A new season always brings new storylines – and the chance for fresh faces to challenge the league’s elite for the top individual honor.
Will a new contender rise, or will one of the familiar names take home the hardware again? Let’s break down the market with my NBA MVP odds and bets for the 2025-26 season.
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NBA 2025-26 MVP Odds
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+165)
- Nikola Jokic (+300)
- Luka Doncic (+325)
- Victor Wembanyama (+750)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1500)
- Anthony Edwards (+1600)
- Cade Cunningham (+3300)
- Joel Embiid (+6600)
- Kevin Durant (+6600)
- Zion Williamson (+8000)
- Donovan Mitchell (+10000)
- Jalen Brunson (+10000)
- Steph Curry (+12500)
- Jaylen Brown (+12500)
- Paolo Banchero (+12500)
- Devin Booker (+25000)
- Anthony Davis (+25000)
- LeBron James (+30000)
Will this season set up Jokic to claim his fourth NBA MVP Award?
The odds-on favorite heading into the 2025-26 NBA season is the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s coming off a dominant campaign in which he averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5 rebounds per game.
Right behind him is three-time MVP Nikola Jokic (+300). Statistically, Jokic has had a case for the award in each of the past five seasons, but factors like voter fatigue have kept him from sweeping the field. Even so, his historic efficiency and consistency make him impossible to overlook after finishing as last year’s runner-up.
Former back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1500) remains in the mix as well. The Greek Freak is fresh off one of his best statistical seasons, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists on 60% shooting – yet still finished third in voting.
Joel Embiid, the 2023 MVP, has seen his odds plummet to +6600, largely due to ongoing health concerns and limited availability.
Among the stars still searching for their first MVP award are Luka Doncic (+325), Victor Wembanyama (+750), and Anthony Edwards (+1600) – all players capable of making the leap this season.
So, where’s the best place to put your money as we head into opening night?
NBA MVP Bets for 2025-26
I’m going to dish out three picks: a short shot, a player in the mid-range, and a longer shot.
Before that, though, let’s talk about a couple of players. First off, I’m eliminating the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, from contention. It’s rarely worth betting on a player to win back-to-back MVPs – especially one who was already a somewhat controversial pick over Jokic last season. To repeat, he’d need to not only match but exceed his previous numbers, which is a tall order. Add in the possibility of a championship hangover, and the short odds simply don’t justify the risk. I don’t see any betting value there.
As for Jokic, it’s nearly impossible to make a logical case against him. He’s the most efficient and consistent player in basketball. The only thing working against him is voter fatigue – it’s prevented him from adding two more MVPs to his resume already. He’s set such an absurdly high bar for himself that even another dominant season might not be enough to sway voters.
That’s the tricky part about MVP betting – human bias. Voters tend to favor fresh storylines over consistency. Just as we saw with Embiid and Shai in recent years, if there’s a new face with a legitimate case, voters are eager to reward them. So while I wouldn’t fault anyone for backing Jokic, I’m going to look elsewhere for this year’s best bets.
Victor Wembanyama (+750)
I initially considered Luka Doncic at +325, but his inability to stay healthy throughout a full season – combined with now sharing the spotlight alongside LeBron James – makes it tough to find value at that price.
That brings us to Victor Wembanyama, the clear league favorite in terms of marketability and narrative. The NBA wants to showcase him as the next global superstar, and now he’s on a legitimate postseason contender after the Spurs’ addition of De’Aaron Fox last season. While Fox is currently nursing a hamstring injury, he’s expected back soon, and once healthy, the duo should thrive.
Despite playing just 46 games in his sophomore campaign, Wembanyama still posted eye-popping numbers: 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.8 blocks per game. He also made major strides from three-point range, knocking down nearly two more triples per game than in his rookie year.
With another offseason of development, a stronger supporting cast, and the full weight of the league’s marketing machine behind him, Wembanyama is primed for a massive year. The narrative, talent, and statistical potential are all there and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the 7-foot-5 phenom walks away with the MVP trophy.
Will Cade Cunningham continue his upward trajectory after last season?
Cade Cunningham (+3300)
Cade Cunningham quietly put together one of the most impressive seasons in the league last year, and he’s poised to take another leap. He finished with the third-highest usage rate in the NBA (36.6%), trailing only LaMelo Ball and Luka Doncic, and carried a Detroit team that had been in disarray for years to a surprising sixth seed in the playoffs.
In just his fourth season, Cunningham averaged 26 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds per game, marking a massive improvement from the previous year’s 22.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. That kind of progression – both statistically and in terms of team success – is the exact formula voters look for in an MVP narrative.
The Pistons became one of the league’s most entertaining stories last season, fueled by their youth, grit, and underdog mentality. If Detroit continues that upward trajectory and Cade maintains or even elevates his production, he’ll absolutely find himself in the conversation.
At 33/1, there’s real value in betting on a potential Cinderella MVP run – the kind of storyline that voters may love to reward.
Jalen Brunson (+10000)
Our long-shot pick goes to the southpaw, Jalen Brunson. It’s surprising to see his odds sitting in the triple digits, especially with how open the Eastern Conference looks this year, and the legitimate chance the Knicks could finish as the No. 1 seed.
In his third season with the Knicks, Brunson appeared in 65 games – his fewest with the team – but still averaged 26 points, 7.3 assists and 3 rebounds per game. To truly enter MVP contention, he’ll need to elevate his playmaking and defensive metrics, particularly by increasing his assists or averaging over one steal per contest.
We already know he can score and perform under pressure. His ability to close out games was recognized when he earned the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year award last season. If the Knicks reach the top of the East and Brunson enhances his all-around production, that narrative could easily snowball into MVP buzz.
At 100/1, it’s worth taking a flier on Brunson to make a surprise run – a bet that could pay off big if New York delivers on its potential.
We’ll continue to monitor the 2025-26 NBA MVP market throughout the regular season to see if we can find value along the way. Otherwise, best of luck and let’s have a great NBA season!
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