Denver’s Nikola Jokic is the front-runner to win the 2023-24 MVP award.
The center is looking for his third MVP award, having won it in 2021 and 2022.
“He has revolutionized the big man position and the Nuggets should be title contenders again,” FOX Sports NBA writer Melissa Rohlin wrote recently. “Winning three MVPs would put Jokic in rarified air. But the world is now realizing that he deserves to be there.”
But Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid isn’t about to give up the trophy he won for the first time last season.
Or, is this the season Dallas’ Luka Doncic win his first MVP award? He finished fourth in 2019-20 and finished eighth last season.
RELATED: NBA predictions for MVP, other awards
Let’s take a look at the odds to win the prestigious award as the 2023-24 season is underway.
ODDS TO WIN 2024 NBA MVP*
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: +430 (bet $10 to win $53 total)
Luka Doncic, Mavericks: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
Joel Embiid, 76ers: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Steph Curry, Warriors: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Kevin Durant, Suns: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total)
Devin Booker, Suns: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total)
Other odds to consider: LeBron James, Lakers: (+5000, bet $10 to win $510 total)
*odds as of 10/24/23
FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre weighed in on the award (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 at time of pick) 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: Jokić (+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 at time of pick) 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.