by Ben Perks
Although it’s still early in the NBA season, oddsmakers at basketball online betting sites have Warriors guard Stephen Curry as the favorite to be the 2021-22 MVP. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Luka Doncic are all close behind. Get insights and the latest odds for this season’s most coveted individual player award.
2021-22 NBA MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | +500 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +650 |
| Kevin Durant | +650 |
| Luka Doncic | +650 |
| Joel Embiid | +1200 |
| Nikola Jokic | +1400 |
| LeBron James | +2200 |
| Damian Lillard | +2200 |
| Ja Morant | +2500 |
| James Harden | +2500 |
| Trae Young | +2500 |
| Jayson Tatum | +2800 |
| Paul George | +2800 |
| Anthony Davis | +3000 |
| Devin Booker | +3000 |
*All odds provided by online sportsbooks Bovada are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
MVP Bets To Consider
As the season has only just gotten underway, many bettors are trying to find some value in NBA MVP odds before the frontrunners separate themselves further from the pack. Check out three MVP futures bets to consider below.
Stephen Curry (+500)
The current odds show that Curry is an obvious choice, but why do online sportsbooks have the Warriors guard as the favorite? Firstly, he’s playing for a team that has had a red-hot start to the new season. Looking at past MVP winners, only players from top-performing NBA franchises have won the award.
If the Golden State Warriors finish as one of the league’s best teams this season, Curry will be the primary reason. The 33-year-old has already helped the Dubs win five of their first six games. What’s more, the sharpshooter is leading the NBA in points per game at 28.7. So, if Curry carries on this form to lead the Warriors to the top of a brutal Western Conference, he will likely bag the trophy. At +500 odds, maybe it’s a good idea to place some action on the two-time MVP.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (+650)
From selling wares on the streets to securing the Larry O’Brien Trophy and taking home NBA Finals MVP honors, Antetokounmpo’s story shows how far skill and a winning mentality can take you. Unsurprisingly, the talent that made this real-life fairytale come true has led bookmakers to make Antetokounmpo the joint-second favorite to win MVP for the third time.
Although wagering on Giannis doesn’t give you the best odds, he’s got a great chance to win the award, especially when you consider that he’s playing for one of the best teams in a weak Eastern Conference.
Giannis was one of three players to be in the top 15 in points per game while averaging a double-double last season. The Greek ended up finishing fifth in the league, averaging 28.1 points per game. If Antetokounmpo plays the same in 2021-22, it would be more than enough to put him in the top three contenders at the end of the season. Considering what his odds could look like by Christmas, he’s still great value at +650.
Paul George (+2800)
As Kawhi Leonard is out for the foreseeable future, the Clippers now rely on Paul George to shoulder the load. George averaged 22.3 points per game last season and, if he continues to play like this on a more regular basis, he will definitely have a good chance of winning MVP.
The 31-year-old has had an incredible start to this season. The Clippers forward currently occupies second in average points scored per game with 28.3. Although this has not resulted in wins, George could upset the odds if the Clippers pull themselves together and finish as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Yes, it’s unlikely, but last year’s award winner Jokic was a +3000 underdog at the start of the season. The Serbian’s exploits carried the Denver Nuggets, but could Paul George pull off a similar feat this year?
Want to learn about your NBA wagering options? Check out this NBA betting guide.
Ben is a sports journalist & part-time trader with a passion for finding +EV bets. Ben lives in Madrid, Spain where he enjoys the live poker scene, and sunshine where he covers UFC, MLB, NHL, NBA, as well as tennis betting.
