Who Will Win the 2025-26 NBA MVP? Picks, Odds, Trends & Sleeper Candidates
NBA MVP Odds and Betting Advice For The 2025 Season!
Sportsmemo’s Steve Seagrave gives 2025-26 NBA MVP picks, odds and trends including sleepers on who will lift the hardware come the end of the season! Which players have the best odds to win? What are some key NBA MVP betting trends to keep an eye on? Get Steve’s NBA MVP picks and predictions below!
2025-26 NBA MVP Odds (DraftKings)
Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets +220
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC Thunder +250
Luka Doncic LA Lakers +380
Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks +950
Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs +1800
Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves +2000
Kevin Durant Houston Rockets +4500
Jalen Brunson New York Knicks +5000
Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons +5000
Paolo Banchero Orlando Magic +7000
Past NBA MVP Winners
2024-25: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC
2023-24: Nikola Jokic Denver
2022-23: Joel Embiid Philadelphia
2021-22: Nikola Jokic Denver
2020-21: Nikola Jokic Denver
2019-20: Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee
NBA MVP Trends
*Since 2000, there have been seven back-to-back MVPs: Tim Duncan, Lebron James (twice), Steve Nash, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic. Jokic has won the award in three of the last four seasons so he may deal with voter fatigue.
*Since 1983, there have only been two players to win the award without their team finishing in the top 3 of their respective division; Russell Westbrook 2016-17 and Nikola Jokic 2021-22.
*Since 1977, only four players have won the award without playing 70+ games; Joel Embiid 2022-23, Giannis Antetokounmpo 2019-20 (shortened due to Covid-19), Lebron James 2011-12 (shortened due to NBA lockout) and Karl Malone 1988-89 (shortened due to NBA lockout).
2025-26 NBA MVP Prediction: Luka Doncic, Lakers (+380)
Nikola Jokic has won the NBA MVP in 3 of the last 5 seasons but he fell short to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the 2024-25 campaign as there seems to be a growing emphasis on statistics and winning percentages.
Unfortunately, there are names that would have been on the list of serious contenders if not for injuries including Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton who will both miss the majority if not entire season due to Achilles injuries.
Going into the season, the NBA feels wide open with 8-10 teams that could win it all and 15-20 players who could win the MVP.
Considering that it doesn’t make much sense to back the top two favorites on season long props with these odds. Instead, we will look a bit further down the board and try to take advantage of some better prices.
Luka Doncic has been the preseason favorite for MVP the last few years and now he’s getting a full season with one of the most highly touted franchises in the NBA in the Los Angeles Lakers.
Doncic is reported to be in excellent shape after a significant summer-long body transformation focused on fitness and conditioning.
The Lakers have improved their supporting cast with Deandre Ayton taking over as starting center and a deeper bench that now includes Jake LaRavia & Marcus Smart.
Lebron James is 41 now and he should be playing a secondary role which bodes well for Luka’s MVP chances.
There is also a revenge narrative with Doncic looking to prove the Dallas Mavericks wrong for trading him away.
The trade may actually work out for both teams but if Doncic can lead the Lakers to home court advantage in the 1st round, he could edge out Joker and SGA.
2025 MVP Sleeper Prediction: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves (+2000)
Anthony Edwards enters his 6th NBA season coming off back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals and a pair of top 7 MVP finishes.
Last season was Edwards most efficient scoring year of his career, and he also made strides as a decision maker.
Ant led the NBA in made three-pointers (320) and three-point attempts (811) during the 2024-25 campaign.
Edwards shot 39.5% from long distance on an average of 10.3 attempts per game after averaging only 35.7% on 6.7 attempts in the prior season.
Edwards is still surrounded by a strong supporting cast and if he develops his defense & passing to the same degree as his 3-point shooting, he’s worth a sprinkle to win MVP at 20-1 odds.
Other NBA Futures Picks
2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year
2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year
2025-26 NBA 6th Man of the Year
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