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Nikola Jokic is the favorite to win his third Most Valuable Player award.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the top contender for Most Valuable Player.
View stats and trends that will help you beat the sportsbooks!
As the NBA regular season comes to a close, Nikola Jokic separates himself from the pack as the favorite to win MVP this season! Through individual performance and team success, the leading MVP candidates have made their claim to the award known. Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage of the MVP race as we track the candidates in the coming weeks.
Nikola Jokic maintains his place as the favorite to win MVP this season. However, the top contender, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is right on his tail, challenging Jokic’s Nuggets for the first seed. Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo round out the top contenders, leading their teams in the playoff hunt.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Click the odd in the table below to place your NBA MVP bets at DraftKings and get $150 in Bonus Bets. Also, check out our list of the best NBA betting sites for more betting opportunities.
Player | Team | Odds |
---|---|---|
Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets | -330 BET HERE |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | +400 BET HERE |
Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | +1000 BET HERE |
Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | +2500 BET HERE |
Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | +3500 BET HERE |
Kawhi Leonard | LA Clippers | +12000 BET HERE |
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Oklahoma City Thunder remain in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference. They are neck-and-neck with their rivals, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance usually decides the outcome based on his production. When he’s engaged, the Thunder are tough to beat. When he struggles, they’re unlikely to be competitive. Everything about Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance this season defines a Most Valuable Player.
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Season | Team | Age | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FGM / FG% | 3PM / 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | DEN | 28 | 64 | 34.3 | 26.0 | 12.3 | 9.2 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 10.2/.582 | 1.0/.349 |
The Denver Nuggets are rounding into championship form, and much of their success is with Nikola Jokic. Leading them to a 4-1 record through the last five games, Jokic averaged 26.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 8.4 assists on 58.8% shooting. The Nuggets are now tied with the Thunder for first in the West, and with their experience, it won’t be surprising to see Jokic lead them to the top and earn himself another MVP award.
Season | Team | Age | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FGM / FG% | 3PM / 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | OKC | 25 | 65 | 34.4 | 31.1 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 11.0/.544 | 1.3/.376 |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his tremendous season, challenging two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic for this season's award. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a 4-1 record over his last five games, averaging 31.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on 52.4% from the field. Tied with the Nuggets for first in the West, winning the conference could be precisely what Gilgeous-Alexander needs to get an edge over Jokic.
Season | Team | Age | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FGM / FG% | 3PM / 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | DAL | 24 | 58 | 37.4 | 34.3 | 9.0 | 9.8 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 11.7/.494 | 3.9/.378 |
If you consider his recent form, Luka Doncic has been the top player in the NBA over the last week. Producing three triple-doubles in his previous five games, Doncic led his team to a 4-1 record. Doncic has been brilliant, but his team’s inconsistency harms his chances of winning MVP. Regarding individual ability, Doncic is at the top of the NBA. Unfortunately, there are more factors to consider in the MVP race.
Season | Team | Age | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FGM / FG% | 3PM / 3P% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | MIL | 29 | 64 | 35.0 | 30.8 | 11.2 | 6.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.5/.616 | 0.5/.292 |
The Milwaukee Bucks regained their momentum after the All-Star break and are now the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo led them through their recent 3-2 stretch, scoring over 30 points in five straight games. The Bucks' inconsistency this season has kept Antetokounmpo out of the race for MVP. But at a production level, Antetokounmpo is certainly worthy of the Most Valuable Player award.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers won the 2023 NBA MVP Award. Embiid is the seventh international player to win the NBA's highest individual prize. Before his NBA MVP win, Embiid was twice the runner-up for the award.
Through the 2022-23 NBA season, Embiid led his Philadelphia 76ers to the third seed in the Eastern Conference and the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the NBA Playoffs - eventually losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games. In his MVP-winning season, Embiid posted averages of 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.0 steals on 54.8% from the field and 33.0% from three-point range.
Embiid was far and away the favorite to win the MVP Award in 2023. Through the voting process, Embiid accumulated 73.0 first-place votes compared to the runner-up, Nikola Jokic's 15.0 first-place votes. The top three in MVP voting for the second season included Embiid, Jokic, and Antetokounmpo. An international player has won Most Valuable Player for the fifth straight season.
Year | Player | Nationality | Team |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Joel Embiid | Cameroon | Philadelphia 76ers |
2022 | Nikola Jokic (2) | Serbia | Denver Nuggets |
2021 | Nikola Jokic | Serbia | Denver Nuggets |
2020 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Greece | Milwaukee Bucks |
2019 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Greece | Milwaukee Bucks |
2018 | James Harden | United States | Houston Rockets |
2017 | Russell Westbrook | United States | Oklahoma City Thunder |
2016 | Stephen Curry (2) | United States | Golden State Warriors |
2015 | Stephen Curry | United States | Golden State Warriors |
2014 | Kevin Durant | United States | Oklahoma City Thunder |
2013 | LeBron James (4) | United States | Miami Heat |
2012 | LeBron James (3) | United States | Miami Heat |
2011 | Derrick Rose | United States | Chicago Bulls |
2010 | LeBron James (2) | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers |
2009 | LeBron James | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers |
2008 | Kobe Bryant | United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
2007 | Dirk Nowitzki | Germany | Dallas Mavericks |
2006 | Steve Nash | Canada | Phoenix Suns |
2005 | Steve Nash | Canada | Phoenix Suns |
2004 | Kevin Garnett | United States | Minnesota Timberwolves |
2003 | Tim Duncan | United States | San Antonio Spurs |
2002 | Tim Duncan | United States | San Antonio Spurs |
2001 | Allen Iverson | United States | Philadelphia 76ers |
2000 | Shaquille O’Neal | United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
1999 | Karl Malone (2) | United States | Utah Jazz |
1998 | Michael Jordan (5) | United States | Chicago Bulls |
1997 | Karl Malone | United States | Utah Jazz |
1996 | Michael Jordan (4) | United States | Chicago Bulls |
1995 | David Robinson | United States | San Antonio Spurs |
1994 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Nigeria | Houston Rockets |
1993 | Charles Barkley | United States | Phoenix Suns |
1992 | Michael Jordan (3) | United States | Chicago Bulls |
1991 | Michael Jordan (2) | United States | Chicago Bulls |
1990 | Magic Johnson (3) | United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
1989 | Magic Johnson (2) | United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
1988 | Michael Jordan | United States | Chicago Bulls |
1987 | Magic Johnson | United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
1986 | Larry Bird (3) | United States | Boston Celtics |
1985 | Larry Bird (2) | United States | Boston Celtics |
1984 | Larry Bird | United States | Boston Celtics |
1983 | Moses Malone (3) | United States | Philadelphia 76ers |
1982 | Moses Malone (2) | United States | Houston Rockets |
1981 | Julius Erving | United States | Philadelphia 76ers |
1980 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6) | United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
1979 | Moses Malone | United States | Houston Rockets |
1978 | Bill Walton | United States | Portland Trail Blazers |
1977 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5) | United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
1976 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (4) | United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
1975 | Bob McAdoo | United States | Buffalo Braves |
1974 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3) | United States | Milwaukee Bucks |
1973 | Dave Cowens | United States | Boston Celtics |
1972 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2) | United States | Milwaukee Bucks |
1971 | Lew Alcindor | United States | Milwaukee Bucks |
1970 | Willis Reed | United States | New York Knicks |
1969 | Wes Unseld | United States | Baltimore Bullets |
1968 | Wilt Chamberlain (4) | United States | Philadelphia 76ers |
1967 | Wilt Chamberlain (3) | United States | Philadelphia 76ers |
1966 | Wilt Chamberlain (2) | United States | Philadelphia 76ers |
1965 | Bill Russell (5) | United States | Boston Celtics |
1964 | Oscar Robertson | United States | Cincinnati Royals |
1963 | Bill Russell (4) | United States | Boston Celtics |
1962 | Bill Russell (3) | United States | Boston Celtics |
1961 | Bill Russell (2) | United States | Boston Celtics |
1960 | Wilt Chamberlain | United States | Philadelphia Warriors |
1959 | Bob Pettit (2) | United States | St. Louis Hawks |
1958 | Bill Russell | United States | Boston Celtics |
1957 | Bob Cousy | United States | Boston Celtics |
1956 | Bob Pettit | United States | St. Louis Hawks |
The winner of the NBA MVP Award doesn’t receive a prize per se. The Maurice Podoloff Trophy is awarded to the winner, but in terms of cash incentives or bonuses, there are none.
Many player contracts stipulate a bonus upon receiving the award, but that is subject to the terms of the team agreement and not the NBA organization.
In a less direct sense, the NBA MVP winner in the current climate would receive much more exposure, the opportunity for endorsements, and nationally broadcasted matches for his team. The most authentic prize for the NBA MVP Award winner is that their name is written in history as one of the greatest ever to play the game.
No, fans of the NBA do not have a say in who will win the NBA MVP. Unlike All-Star voting, the NBA MVP Award is voted upon by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters across the United States and Canada.
The NBA All-Star Game considers fan voting, where they make up 50% of the total. Votes by current NBA players and a panel of media members account for 25% each.
The voting process for the NBA MVP Award is as follows: Media members can award a player of their choice a “vote” from first place, worth ten points, to fifth place, worth one point. The player with the highest points total wins the award.
In 2015-2016, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. It was the first time in history that the NBA MVP was decided unanimously. A unanimous vote means that Curry received all available votes among the voting parties.
Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 and LeBron James in 2013 fell one vote short of a unanimous MVP selection.
The NBA’s Most Valuable Player will be named upon the conclusion of the regular season and Play-In Tournament. The winner’s team usually makes the announcement again during a broadcast of Inside the NBA.
The first-ever winner of the NBA MVP was forward-center Bob Pettit in 1956, who played for the now-defunct St. Louis Hawks.
Pettit, an LSU alumnus and the second overall pick in the 1954 NBA Draft, won the NBA MVP Award in just his second season in the NBA. He won the award again in 1958 when he led the St. Louis Hawks to the NBA Championship.
Bob Pettit was the original interior presence in the NBA. Pettit’s career stats are up there with the best of all time. His career averages of 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 43.6% shooting from the field justify his hall-of-fame place.
Position in the NBA has a fluid definition over the course of NBA history. As times have changed, styles have changed as players succeeded in eras defined by the type of play. The positional success of players to the MVP award significantly represents this.
Winners: Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook
The point guard position has won the second-most MVP award. Defined by their ability to distribute the ball, point guards are primarily responsible for their team's success. Generally talented in accumulating assists, players like Steve Nash, Bob Cousy, and Magic Johnson wowed fans and critics with their ability to lift the play of their teammates.
Newer stars like Stephen Curry and Derrick Rose added to the primary playmaking responsibilities of the point guard by becoming elite scorers. Their ability to distribute and score at will drove the success of their squads and garnered their votes.
In a league of their own, Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook are the only players to average a triple-double in a season – separated by 53 years. The two were terrors across the court, dangerous from every position and transcendent to basketball.
Winners: Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, James Harden
The positional title defines the players who have won the MVP award at shooting guard. Shooting guard is the position with the least NBA MVP wins. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are two of the league’s best-ever scorers, and they built the success of their teams.
While Allen Iverson failed to win an NBA Championship, the diminutive guard’s ability to score was transcendent for a player of his size. James Harden is also one of the league’s most creative scorers, breaking records set by his predecessors and ushering in a score-first mentality not seen since Bryant.
Winners: Julius Irving, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Kevin Durant
The do-it-all nature of its players has defined the Small Forward position. These players could do it all by scoring, defending, playmaking, and rebounding.
There has been a rise in the use of small forwards in recent history as skill level has significantly increased. Julius Irving and Larry Bird were excellent scorers in their way and filled the stat sheet every night.
The entry of LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo into the fold defined an almost new position. Small forwards in body but point guards in ability dominate opponents on each end of the court, with little drawback to their game.
Don’t forget a player with the skills of Kevin Durant. Durant may not be the playmaker, rebounder, or defender these other winners are, but he shows that scoring in the game of basketball is still paramount. 6-11 with a monstrous wingspan and a feathery shooting touch, Durant is one of the best scorers of all time
Winners: Bob Pettit, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki
Size matters in the NBA, whether in terms of height or strength. The power forward position took a long time to see growth. Power forwards like Bob Pettit, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone were excellent scorers in the low post. Being of more diminutive stature, Barkley showed off guard-like skills, while Malone benefitted from fantastic interplay with his teammates.
Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are famed for their defensive intensity. The two could not be more opposite regarding their personality, but their contributions to the court are immense. The two NBA Champions’ ability on the defensive side defined their team’s success, on top of their ability to score.
Dirk Nowitzki was the first of his type in the NBA. A lanky seven-footer from Germany made his name on the perimeter rather than in the post. While criticized early in his career, Nowitzki’s uniqueness made him the most unguardable player in his prime.
Winners: Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Nikola Jokic
Remember when we said size matters in the NBA? The center position epitomizes that. It is by far the most successful position in terms of winning the NBA MVP Award, doubling its closest competitor as of 2022.
An easy basket nearest to the rim is what coaches want, and when you tout the sheer size, skill, and strength of Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar there are few, if any, that can stop them.
As the last defense for an NBA team, the center position is also saddled with responsibility should his teammates fail. Bill Russell, Wes Unseld, and Moses Malone showed that stopping a team from scoring or getting second chances was as valuable as scoring the ball.
Centers used to define the game of basketball, but the game's direction has changed to the perimeter. Despite having the most winners by position, it was a 21-year gap between Shaquille O'Neal winning MVP in 2000 and Nikola Jokic winning in 2021.
Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
Email: [email protected]
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