The regular season NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is awarded to the best performing player throughout the season before the playoffs.
Players from outside of the United States have bagged the honors in the last four seasons. Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo won it back-to-back in 2019 and 2020, and Serbian Center Nikola Jokić has been NBA ROY for the past two seasons.
Will Jokić drag the Nuggets into the playoffs once again to win the honors for the third year in a row, or is it time for a new contender to land the prestigious individual-player award?
Latest betting odds for the regular season NBA MVP
NBA Regular Season MVP Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic (DEN) | +160 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | +340 |
| Jayson Tatum (BOS) | +500 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) | +750 |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | +1300 |
| Luka Doncic (DAL) | +1200 |
| Anthony Edwards (MIN) | +2000 |
| Donovan Mitchell (CLE) | +3000 |
| Stephen Curry (GSW) | +4000 |
| Victor Wembanyama (SAS) | +5500 |
| LeBron James (LAL) | +8000 |
| Kevin Durant (PHX) | +10000 |
| Jalen Brunson (NYK) | +10000 |
| Karl Anthony-Towns (MIN) | +10000 |
| De'Aaron Fox (SAC) | +15000 |
| Devin Booker (PHX) | +9000 |
| LaMelo Ball (CHA) | +20000 |
| Ja Morant (MEM) | +15000 |
| Jaylen Brown (BOS) | +25000 |
| Tyrese Haliburton (IND) | +50000 |
| Domantas Sabonis (SAC) | +15000 |
| Franz Wagner (ORL) | +30000 |
| James Harden (LAC) | +25000 |
| Trae Young (ATL) | +50000 |
| Damian Lillard (MIL) | +50000 |
| Jimmy Butler (MIA) | +50000 |
| Pascal Siakam (IND) | +50000 |
| Cade Cunningham (DET) | +50000 |
| Evan Mobley (CLE) | +50000 |
| Jalen Williams (OKC) | +50000 |
| Kyrie Irving (DAL) | +70000 |
Last Ten MVP Winners
| Year | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets |
| 2022–23 | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2021–22 | Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets |
| 2020-21 | Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets |
| 2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2018-19 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2017-18 | James Harden | Houston Rockets |
| 2016-17 | Russell Westbrook | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2015-16 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors |
| 2014-15 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors |
| 2013-14 | Kevin Durant | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2012-13 | LeBron James | Miami Heat |
| 2011-12 | LeBron James | Miami Heat |
NBA MVP – The Best of All Time
Many will remember Michael Jordan winning the MVP award multiple times during his reign with the Bulls. Yet it might surprise you to know that he is tied for second place for the most MVP awards ever alongside Bill Russell. The record holder for the most MVP awards is the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who even Jordan himself considers to be one of the best players ever.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 6 (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)
- Bill Russell – 5 (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965) …
- Michael Jordan – 5 (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) …
- Wilt Chamberlain – 4 (1960, 1966, 1967, 1968) …
- Lebron James – 4 (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NBA MVP?
The National Basketball Association (NBA) hands out an award at the end season of play for who was the best single player of the regular season.
This prestigious award has been won multiple times by the greats like Kareem, Bill Russell, Jordan, Larry Bird, and LeBron.
When did the NBA MVP start?
The NBA introduced this award in the 1955-1956 season and the first winner was Bob Pettit a power forward for the St. Louis Hawks.