NBA MVP Winner Odds, Picks, Predictions 2026: Jokic Is the Early MVP Favorite

• Nikola Jokic is the favorite to win the fourth NBA MVP award of his career!

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the top contender to win MVP in 2026.

• The 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The offseason is here, and the 2025 NBA MVP is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander! However, the 2026 NBA MVP competition begins now, as teams across the NBA compete to improve their roster and build around their star players. At WSN, we’re locked in on the race for Most Valuable Player, offering the latest odds, predictions, and analyses for the 2025-26 NBA season!

For the best NBA Futures bets, WSN has you covered with betting picks and tips every day throughout the 2025-26 NBA season and playoffs! New sports bettors can use the top NBA sportsbook promo codes and bonuses before their favorite team tips off!

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NBA MVP Odds

BetMGM provides the latest odds for the NBA MVP winner. Register at BetMGM with our promo code WSNSPORTS and claim your bonus: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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NBA MVP Winner Predictions

The race for Most Valuable Player (MVP) is the most competitive of the individual awards in the NBA, signaling the NBA’s biggest star of the season. While the most common contenders for the award top the odds table, a few rising stars always begin to lay their claim as future faces of the league. The league’s best have 82 games to decide the award winner, where favorites and underdogs will rise and fall until just one Most Valuable Player is left standing.

Atop the odds table to open the offseason is Denver Nuggets starman Nikola Jokic, the favorite to take home his fourth Most Valuable Player award. In the top contender position is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player coming off an NBA Championship! Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will build on his first full season with his Hollywood outfit. At the same time, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a contender due to his unstoppable production. On the outside looking in is Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, the supposed next face of the NBA, who is yet to reach the heights of his peers. The race for MVP in 2026 promises to be one of the most exciting yet!

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2026 NBA MVP - My Pick

Nikola Jokic (+225) at BetMGM

Regarding individual productivity, no player in the league is relied upon more than the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic. The Serbian, three-time Most Valuable Player is among the top players at his position in NBA history, and with a short postseason, he’ll be afforded a level of rest he hasn’t had in recent years. The Denver Nuggets still need to reinforce their roster to return to title contention, but barring injury, there’s no reason to believe Jokic won’t be a top contender for MVP in 2026.

Jokic is coming off finishing second in the 2025 NBA MVP race, amassing 29 first-place votes and 787 total points. He averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists on 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range. He even led the Denver Nuggets to the fourth seed in the West with a 50-32 record. Denver will be testing the market this offseason to improve their roster, but Nikola Jokic has been able to thrive regardless of his supporting cast through his stellar career.

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How to Bet on the NBA MVP Winner

To bet on the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner, select the player you believe will stand out through the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Consider both the favorites and the dark horses, and consider their role, regular-season form, and the likelihood of helping their team reach the NBA Playoffs. It's also smart to factor in which NBA team has the best shot at an NBA title and who their leading performer might be.

Sharp bettors track player performance closely throughout the regular season and NBA Cup, paying attention to early stats and how players have historically matched up against upcoming opponents. Since odds for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner shift after every game, staying on top of player momentum, team form, and betting value is key. The top contenders through the NBA regular season are sensibly led by one of the league's top performers that season–so keep an eye out as the regular season schedule develops to make the most of your betting opportunities!

How to Read NBA MVP Winner Odds

The market for NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) winners is simple to read. Sports bettors must consider the presented odds, their value, and a player’s statistical contributions compared to their competitors.

Positive odds denote the amount you’d win with a $100 wager. For example, if Nikola Jokic is a +275 to win the 2026 NBA Most Valuable Player, you’d win $275 with a $100 bet. A player is less likely to win with higher positive odds, but the payout is much more profitable.

Negative odds tend to indicate the favorite to win a certain bet and act as the inverse of positive odds in the case of a $100 wager. Should Shai Gilgeous-Alexander be a -105 to win the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, you’d need to wager $105 to win $100. The lower the negative odds, the heavier the player is the favorite to win the award. Favorites are not always apparent when a betting market opens, so watch how it develops throughout the competition.

Through the NBA regular season, the odds for the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner can shift with a single performance, so stay locked in with each game!

Where to Bet on the NBA MVP Winner

Many sportsbooks offer the opportunity to bet on the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award winner; you need to choose the perfect one for you!

BetMGM Sportsbook is a top-tier destination for those looking to wager on the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) race. BetMGM makes finding value throughout the season easy with a wide range of competitive odds and betting options. Bettors can also enjoy 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, plus the benefit of the BetMGM Rewards program, which offers exclusive real-world perks and experiences. New users who register with promo code WSNSPORTS can unlock a generous welcome bonus:Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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FanDuel Sportsbook remains one of the most trusted and versatile platforms for NBA MVP betting. Known for its user-friendly interface and consistent promotions, FanDuel is a go-to option for sports bettors seeking maximum value. FanDuel gives bettors plenty of chances to capitalize throughout the season with frequent special offers and boosted odds. New customers can now take advantage of this deal: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

Caesars Sportsbook is another excellent choice for NBA MVP betting, especially for those who prefer betting on the move. The Caesars mobile app is intuitive and fast, making tracking player performances easy and placing MVP bets in real time. Caesars also stands out with its impressive live betting features. By signing up with promo code WSNDYW, new players can score an exclusive offer: Bet $1, Get 10 100% Profit Boost Tokens.

NBA MVP History

The most prestigious individual honor in the NBA is the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Introduced in the 1955-56 NBA season, the award has set the standard for individual excellence, tied with team success, through the regular season. Through over 70 years of the award's history, the award has evolved, with big men dominating the award in the early years while guards and forwards took the honors in more modern times. Regardless of who has won the award, the NBA MVP award has always represented the most influential player in the league that season.

The MVP award is eternally tied with some of the NBA's most prominent figures and moments. Initially known as just the MVP Trophy, in 2022-23, the NBA renamed it the Michael Jordan Trophy–honoring the six-time NBA Champion known as the greatest basketball player in history. The award has seen competitive races through iconic seasons, eventually going to all-time greats like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry. But each year, the MVP race brings new stars into the conversation, showcasing the game's growth through its best performers.