Damian Lillard’s trade from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks has been the most talked-about story of the NBA offseason.
This trade significantly impacted the NBA Finals odds for the Bucks, shortening them from 650 to +380.
Interestingly, Jrue Holiday, a key player in the Lillard trade, was initially traded to the Blazers but was later moved to the Boston Celtics during the week.
Despite these trades, Nikola Jokic remains the front-runner for the MVP award.
ODDS TO WIN 2024 NBA MVP*
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Nikola Jokic: +430 (bet $10 to win $53 total)
Giannis Antetokounmpo: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total
Luka Doncic: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Jayson Tatum: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Joel Embiid: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Kevin Durant: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Steph Curry:+1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total)
Devin Booker: +2300 (bet $10 to win $240 total)
Anthony Davis: +2900 (bet $10 to win $300 total)
Other odds to consider: LeBron James at +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
*odds as of 10/3/23
Bettors might not have expected to see James on any NBA oddsboards in 2023 after widespread speculation that he was hanging up his sneakers after Year 20.
But FOX Sports NBA writer Melissa Rholin spoke with the King at the Lakers’ media day, and he shared his latest perspective as he preps for the season.
“I feel like I got a lot more in the tank to give,” James said. ” … But I’m happy to be returning for another season and helping this team, hopefully get this team to the Finals. That’s just the goal.”
But do the experts identify James as the best bet to win next year’s MVP? Or is wagering on the Joker the way to go?
FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre weighs in (Editor’s Note: Expert’s MVP pick made in July):
Only three players stand out to me early as possibly actionable MVP bets to make for the upcoming season.
Jayson Tatum
Having advanced to the conference finals in four of the last six years, the Celtics are one of my favorites to win the title, and Tatum is the primary reason. I’m buying the trade of Marcus Smart as a win for the Celtics and Tatum. It will enable the 25-year-old to be the true leader of this team, something Smart has been since entering the league.
Tatum’s points, rebounds and assists have all gone up each year he’s been in the league, and his 30-8-4 were all career highs last year. A first-team All-NBA player each of the last two seasons, I expect him to win the MVP — and an NBA title.
PICK: Tatum (+800) to win 2023-24 NBA MVP
Nikola Jokic
The two-time MVP is coming off an NBA title, Finals MVP, and the unofficial title of best player in the NBA. He’s the favorite for a third MVP, largely on the heels of an insane playoff run where he averaged 30-12-9 over 20 games and also hit a staggering 46% of 3-pointers. So why not bet on him?
You can’t quantify his desire now that he already has a title and his trophy case has everything. Knowing he’s done it all, will we see him pull back in the regular season to save himself for the postseason? We saw that late last season, and it worked. Either way, he’s the best player in the game, so worth a sprinkle.
PICK: Jokic (+430) to win 2023-24 NBA MVP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
If I’m looking for a super sleeper to win the MVP next year, it has to be SGA. Having just turned 25, he is coming off an excellent season in which he averaged a career-high 31 points and was first-team All-NBA.
Before you scoff, remember the Sacramento Kings improved by 18 wins last year, and the Thunder might be a breakout candidate, as they look to build on the play-in appearance last year while adding Chet Holmgren to the starting lineup.
PICK: Gilgeous-Alexander (+2300) to win 2023-24 NBA MVP
Who do you like to win 2023-24 NBA MVP? Stay tuned to FOX Sports for all NBA news.
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