The 2023/24 NBA MVP Contenders: Odds and Predictions
Previewing the 2023/24 NBA MVP Race
As the new NBA season unfolds, the race for the Most Valuable Player award is already heating up with some familiar faces leading the pack. Denver Nuggets' center Nikola Jokic has emerged as the frontrunner, with sportsbooks listing him at +400 to clinch what would be his third MVP title.
Jokic's durability and consistency are noteworthy; since entering the league in 2015, he has appeared in an impressive 596 out of a possible 636 regular-season games. His previous accolades include back-to-back MVP awards in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, and he narrowly missed a three-peat, finishing second in last year's voting.
Close on Jokic's heels is Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks' prodigious talent, who sits at +500 odds. Last season, Doncic elevated his game to new heights, posting career highs with an average of 32.4 points per game and a .496 field goal percentage. However, despite his individual brilliance, the Mavericks fell short of playoff contention.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is another top contender, with odds of +600. The Greek forward is under contract for two more years with the Bucks, who have bolstered their roster by acquiring star guard Damian Lillard. Giannis finished third in the MVP race last season, and with Lillard by his side, he could very well challenge for the top spot once again.
The Contenders
Philadelphia 76ers' center Joel Embiid, who led the league in scoring with an average of 33.1 points per game last season, is listed at +800 to win MVP. Embiid was crowned MVP in the 2022/23 season, and his continued dominance in the paint makes him a formidable candidate.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is not far behind, with odds of +850. Tatum's growth has been meteoric, setting new personal bests in scoring, rebounds, and assists last year. More importantly, he was instrumental in the Celtics' journey to the Eastern Conference Finals, showcasing his ability to lead and perform when it matters most.
Kevin Durant, now with the Phoenix Suns, finds himself with longer odds at +1500. This season presents an opportunity for Durant to reintroduce himself as a full-time player after four seasons marred by injuries, where he played fewer than 55 games each year. A fully fit Durant is a threat to any defense, and if he can stay healthy, those odds may offer great value.
A Look Back at Past MVPs
The history of the NBA MVP award is rich with repeat winners and dominant stretches by the game's greatest players. Joel Embiid's 2022/23 MVP campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers added his name to a storied list that includes the likes of Jokić, Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Stephen Curry—all of whom have claimed the Maurice Podoloff Trophy within the past decade.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's back-to-back wins in 2018/19 and 2019/20 for the Bucks cemented his status as one of the game's elites, while Jokić's consecutive awards in the following two seasons further highlighted the impact of versatile big men in today's game.
We must go back to the 2013/14 season to find Kevin Durant's sole MVP season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a reminder of the longevity and sustained excellence required to remain at the pinnacle of the sport.
LeBron James' four MVP titles span two teams and demonstrate his generational talent, while earlier eras saw legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominate the league and the MVP discussions year after year.
Each season, the MVP race brings its own narrative, a blend of emerging stars and established veterans vying for the honor of being named the league's most valuable. As this season progresses, watch closely as these athletes push themselves and their teams in pursuit of basketball's most prestigious individual accolade. With storylines unfolding and odds fluctuating, the 2023/24 MVP race promises to be as thrilling as any in recent memory.
