The MVP discussion is always a hot topic, and last year was no different. A combination of voter fatigue and previous post-season stumbles likely cost Nikola Jokic his third straight MVP award, though Joel Embiid was a deserving winner without the benefit of hindsight analysis.
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According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Nikola Jokic (+430) is the early favorite to win the award in 2024. The two-time MVP led the Denver Nuggets to the NBA championship last season, and he’s coming off a historic season in which he averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. Jokic is a dominant force on both ends of the floor, and he’s one of the most efficient scorers in the league. The Nuggets have taken a bit of a hit in terms of depth this offseason, but Jokic should continue to put up gaudy numbers and keep himself atop the betting odds.
Another player who is expected to be in the mix for MVP is Giannis Antetokounmpo (+500). The 2021 Finals MVP is a two-time MVP himself, and he’s still in his prime. Antetokounmpo is a physical specimen who can score from anywhere on the court, and he’s also a great defender. He’ll be an MVP candidate for the majority of the next decade.
Luka Doncic (+650) is another player who is always in the conversation for MVP. The Dallas Mavericks star is one of the most talented scorers in the league, and he’s also a gifted passer. Doncic is still young, but he’s already one of the best players in the NBA. If he and Kyrie Irving can figure out how to make each other better, there’s a lot of potential here.
Joel Embiid (+700) is the defending MVP, and he’s sure to be a contender again this season. Embiid is a dominant force in the post and one of the best defenders in the league. Embiid is always a threat to put up big numbers, but votes will likely be looking elsewhere unless he takes another step forward statistically and helps earn Philadelphia one of the top seeds in the East.
Jayson Tatum (+800) is already one of the best players in the Eastern Conference, but does he have another level to reach? He’s the last of the bunch priced at 10/1 or shorter.
In addition to these five players, there are a few other contenders who could make a run at MVP this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+2300) is a rising star for the Thunder, and he’s coming off a season in which he averaged 24.5 points and 5.9 assists per game and earned first-team All-NBA honors.
Anthony Edwards (+6000) is another young player who is expected to make a leap this season. The Timberwolves forward averaged 23.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, and he’s only going to get better. Edwards would benefit from a strong season for the Timberwolves, moving him out of the ‘good stats, bad team’ tier and into consideration as one of the league’s premier wings.
My pick for MVP is Nikola Jokic. He’s the most dominant player in the league, and he’s coming off a historic season. Jokic is a triple-double machine, and he’s one of the most efficient scorers in the league. He’s also a great passer, and he’s a plus defender. Jokic is the complete package, and he’s the clear favorite to win MVP in 2023-2024.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards are two players who I’m keeping an eye on. Both players are young and talented, and they have the potential to be MVP candidates in the future. Gilgeous-Alexander is a dynamic scorer who can create his own shot. Edwards is a physical specimen who can score in a variety of ways. Both players are on teams that are expected to be competitive, so they should have the opportunity to put up big numbers.
The 2023-2024 NBA MVP race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. There are a number of talented players who could win the award, and it’s going to be interesting to see who comes out on top.