As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, the race for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is already heating up, with Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokic leading the pack as the top contenders. The season tips off on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, with all eyes on these two European superstars as they vie for the league's highest individual honor.
Doncic vs. Jokic: The Top Contenders
Luka Dončić: The Favorite (+375)
Luka Dončić enters the season as the slight favorite to win the MVP award at +375. After a remarkable 2023-24 season where he secured the NBA scoring title with an average of 33.9 points per game, Doncic carried the Dallas Mavericks all the way to the NBA Finals. Despite his incredible performances, the Mavericks fell short in the Finals, and Doncic faced criticism regarding his conditioning, effort, and defense.
Now 25 years old, the Slovenian star has already been named to the All-NBA First Team five times in his six-year career. However, history suggests that winning the MVP may be challenging if the Mavericks do not finish first or second in the Western Conference—since 1985, only five MVPs have come from teams that did not achieve this feat.
Nikola Jokic: The Challenger (+400)
Nikola Jokic, sitting at +400 odds, is aiming to join the elite ranks of four-time MVP winners. The Serbian center has dominated the league in recent years, winning three MVP awards in the past four seasons. Jokic's unique blend of scoring, playmaking, and rebounding makes him a perennial contender, but he will have to overcome voter fatigue to capture another MVP trophy.
Jokic is one of only nine players in NBA history to have won three or more MVPs, and tying legends like LeBron James and Wilt Chamberlain with four would cement his legacy even further. However, with three MVPs in the last four years, the challenge for Jokic will be maintaining his extraordinary level of play while persuading voters to overlook the desire for a fresh narrative.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Mix (+450)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also a strong contender for the MVP award at +450. The 25-year-old Canadian had a breakout season in 2023-24, finishing runner-up to Jokic in the MVP voting. SGA led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. His defensive prowess was equally impressive, as he led the NBA with 150 steals.
With the Thunder expected to be championship contenders once again, SGA has a legitimate shot at capturing the MVP award if he can replicate or surpass his performance from last season.
Other Top MVP Contenders
Giannis Antetokounmpo (+700)
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a force in the NBA, averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and a career-high 6.5 assists in the 2023-24 season. Despite being a two-time MVP, his Milwaukee Bucks are no longer seen as top championship contenders, largely due to the aging core of Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard. Giannis will need to deliver another extraordinary season to stay in the MVP conversation.
Joel Embiid (+700)
Joel Embiid, the 2023 MVP, is another strong contender at +700. Embiid is under pressure to lead the Philadelphia 76ers beyond the second round of the playoffs for the first time in his career. With teammates Paul George and Tyrese Maxey by his side, Embiid is expected to have another standout season. However, winning the MVP as a player over 30 is rare—Steve Nash is the only player to achieve this in the past 25 years.
Best Longshot: Anthony Edwards (+1200)
Anthony Edwards is an intriguing longshot for the MVP award at +1200. The 23-year-old guard had an impressive playoff run last year, averaging 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
While these numbers don’t yet place him in the same category as Doncic or Jokic, Edwards has the potential to take a significant leap in his fourth season, especially after gaining valuable experience with Team USA. If he can elevate his game further, Edwards could emerge as a serious MVP contender.