Stars from all across the NBA are burning up the hardwood on a nightly basis, but which players will be in the running late in the season to win the 2024-25 NBA MVP Award? NBA championship betting odds are fluctuating as the league’s biggest names have been putting together huge performances since the start of the season. Find out how to bet on the 2025 NBA MVP odds and the best basketball betting sites to bet from.
Current NBA MVP Odds
The 2025 NBA MVP betting odds from bet365 are updated as of Apr 19, 2025:
| Player |  |
|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | -2500 |
| Nikola Jokic | +1100 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +50,000 |
| Jayson Tatum | +50,000 |
How to Bet on NBA MVP Odds
If you’re unsure of how to bet on NBA MVP odds but want to get some skin in on the action, just follow our step-by-step guide on how to bet on NBA MVP odds below. Here’s how to bet on the NBA MVP in four simple steps:
- Choose a sportsbook: Check out our in-depth reviews of the best NBA betting sites in Canada and find the oddsmaker that’s right for your betting needs.
- Create an account: Sign up with the online sportsbook of your choice by providing your information, such as name, email, birthdate, and more in order to verify your identity.
- Deposit funds: Once your account is open, make an initial deposit using the banking method that’s most efficient for you. This deposit funds the bets you make.
- Place your bet: All that’s left to do is place a bet on NBA MVP odds by finding your pick under the NBA futures odds in the sportsbook menu and adding it to your bet slip.
Where to Bet on NBA MVP Odds
You can bet on the 2025 NBA MVP from any of the best online sportsbooks in Canada, but here are the top three oddsmakers that we recommend:
- bet365 – Sign up now or read our full review here.
- Sports Interaction – Sign up now or read our full review here.
- BetVictor – Sign up now or read our full review here.
Who Has the Best Odds to Win NBA MVP Award
As we approach the finish line of the 2024-25 NBA season, there are only a few remaining contenders for this year’s NBA MVP. Check out our analysis on the remaining players vying for this year’s MVP awards below and whether or not they are a good bet to make.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-2500)
Putting forth arguably the greatest season ever by a Canadian player in the NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder superstar point guard Shai Gilegous-Alexander has become the runaway favourite in the 2025 NBA MVP odds. At a staggering -2500 odds, this year’s NBA MVP odds may already be a wrap. Leading the Thunder to a league-best record while also leading the league in points per game this season, SGA has been unstoppable this season. Providing not just sensational scoring, exemplified by his four 50-point outings in his current campaign, but also terrific defensive contributions, being second in the NBA in steals per game. With his combination of electrifying offense, effective defense, and endless team success, it’s no surprise that Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear favourite to win the 2025 NBA MVP.
Nikola Jokic (+1100)
Having already claimed three MVP awards in the last four seasons, Denver Nuggets superstar big man Nikola Jokic is rightfully back in the mix for this year’s MVP odds. On track to become the triple-double king, Jokic gets the job done at every level on the court. With his unique skillset, Jokic has continued to terrorize defences with his combination of low-post scoring and beautiful playmaking ability.
While this hasn’t been as strong of a season for the Nuggets when compared to recent seasons in the past, the argument can be made that this year actually encapsulates Jokic’s MVP ability better than ever. When he’s off the court, the Nuggets struggle mightily, producing at a league-low rate, but when he’s on the court, their offensive production is up there with some of the all-time best offenses. While Jokic is unlikely to claim the 2024-25 NBA MVP, if anyone is going to give SGA a run for his money, it’s going to be the Big Serb.
Giannis Antetokunmpo (+50000)
Already a two-time MVP to his credit, the Milwaukee Bucks star forward, Giannis Antetekounmpo, is still in the running in this year’s NBA MVP odds. Continuing to use his elite size, strength, and athleticism to dominate the hardwood, Giannis is once again creating a statistically marvellous campaign. While he currently resides in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding this year, it is his lack of team success that hurts his MVP odds.
Currently sitting outside the top three of the Eastern Conference, the MVP award is typically not awarded to players who aren’t on squads with a legitimate shot at competing for a title. With the Damian Lillard experiment in Milwaukee continuing to not deliver the way many expected, the Bucks’ win percentage is a major factor holding him back. There’s still time remaining in the season, however, for the Greek Freak to explode and rip the MVP from Shai Gilegous-Alexander’s hands, and at +50000 this is a low-risk, high reward wager to make.
Jayson Tatum (+50,000)
The final candidate for the 2025 NBA MVP odds comes from the reigning NBA Champion Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum. With the Celtics once again rocking one of the top records across the NBA, coupled with Tatum’s awesome stat line, he has deservedly inserted his name in the MVP conversation this season. But while Tatum has all the makings of a successful MVP winner, several external factors go against him as a contender for the award.
Typically, team success is a major factor in naming an MVP, but for Tatum, this has actually gone against him in recent seasons. As a part of a star-studded lineup featuring All-Star talents like Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White, many speculate on how much of Tatum’s success is attributed to his individual skillset or if it stems mostly from his stacked supporting cast. Even calling Tatum the best player on the Celtics has been a hot topic in NBA circles, with last year’s playoff run only adding fuel to the fire as Brown took home not just the Eastern Conference MVP but also the NBA Finals MVP. There’s no doubt that Tatum is one of the top talents in the NBA, but due to the discourse around his ability and the talent around him, he remains a long shot in the 2025 NBA MVP odds.
Matt’s Pick for This Season’s MVP
As we are in the thick of the tail-end of the 2024-25 NBA season, it’s clear to me that this year’s MVP will be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Ticking all the boxes of what an MVP player looks like in the NBA, his historic 2024-25 campaign has surely netted him his first of potentially multiple MVP awards. At -2500, there’s not much juice in betting Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP odds, but if you’re looking to grab a profitable line, Jokic at +1100 could still net you a solid payday with his underdog odds.
Previously published in Sports Betting Dime, The Hockey Writers, Prospects by Sports Illustrated, and FanSided, Matt Eichhorn has expert knowledge of all major North American sports as well as the best ways to bet on them.
Other NBA MVP favourites worth considering are Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum. Jokic has superior stats to SGA, but his lack of team success compared to the Oklahoma City Thunder hurts his case greatly. Inversely, the Boston Celtics are right up there with the Thunder for the top record in the NBA this season, but Tatum’s stat line pales in comparison to SGA.
Factors Influencing NBA MVP Awards
Before throwing down a bet on the latest NBA MVP odds, it’s important to know how this award is selected and what voters are looking for in a candidate. Learn more about some of the biggest factors influencing NBA MVP odds below and use this to help you determine your NBA MVP bet.
💪 Player Performance
You can’t be the MVP without putting up MVP numbers. This means any player backed for this award should be averaging upward of 20 points per game (a player hasn’t won MVP with under 20 PPG since Steve Nash in 2006), as well as a high total in rebounds and assists to complement their scoring ability.
While it may win championships, defense is somewhat a secondary factor in the NBA MVP race, but it could provide a winning edge for one player over another if their offensive numbers are comparable. Also, major statistical milestones such as 50-point games, triple-doubles, and other big-game performances can also help a player build out their MVP credentials.
📈 Team Standings
Impressive stats are great, but they don’t mean jack if your team stinks. In order to win the NBA MVP, your team needs to be in the playoff conversation to even give you a chance of winning. Since 2000, only once has the NBA MVP been awarded to a player whose team finished outside of the top three in their respective conference (Russell Westbrook, 2017), highlighting the importance of team success in the NBA MVP odds race.
🚨 External Factors
Lastly, there are always going to be external factors at play throughout the NBA season that affect the MVP odds. Factors such as injuries, suspensions, and even media narratives can influence who emerges as one of the NBA MVP favourites.
Last 10 NBA Most Valuable Player Award Winners
- Nikola Jokic (2024 | DEN)
- Joel Embiid (2023 | PHI)
- Nikola Jokic (2022 | DEN)
- Nikola Jokic (2021 | DEN)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (2020 | MIL)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019 | MIL)
- James Harden (2018 | HOU)
- Russell Westbrook (2017 | OKC)
- Stephen Curry (2016 |GSW)
- Stephen Curry (2015 | GSW)
The History of the NBA MVP Award
The NBA’s MVP award is a prestigious accolade presented annually to the player who has contributed the most to his team’s success during the regular season. The award has been presented since 1956, with the first winner being Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks. Since then, the award has been won by some of the greatest players in NBA history, with every player to win the award having eventually found themselves in the basketball Hall of Fame.
The player with the most NBA MVP awards is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who claimed six MVP awards between 1971-1980. Behind Kareem for most MVPs won in a career are Celtics great, Bill Russell, and his “Airness” Michael Jordan with five MVP awards respectively. A total of 14 players have won multiple NBA MVPs, such as LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Stephen Curry.
Bottom Line: NBA MVP Betting Odds
Don’t wait! Feel like the MVP of your sportsbook by placing a bet on the latest NBA MVP odds featured above to score your next big win. Be sure to compare the odds offered by the top NBA betting sites as each oddsmaker will offer varying odds; this way, you can snag the best value for your MVP bets. Lastly, always gamble responsibly, monitor your spending habits and your time spent gambling, and use the helpful, safe gaming tools offered by the best online sportsbooks.
More NBA Betting Resources
NBA MVP Odds 2025 FAQs
The current favourite to win the MVP in the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Leading the top team in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to a stellar season, Gilgeous-Alexander also leads the NBA in points per game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has won two NBA MVP awards. Antetekounmpo claimed back-to-back NBA MVPs in 2019 and 2020, marking the 12th time a player has won back-to-back awards.
LeBron James has won four NBA MVP awards. James won his first MVP back in 2009, following it up with three more awards in four seasons as he claimed the top player honours in 2010, 2012, and 2013.