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NBA MVP Odds for 2025-26 Season: Favourites, Dark Horses & Expert Predictions

As the new NBA season has begun, it's still a bit too early to make any picks, but the current NBA MVP odds already offer a glimpse into how the race may unfold. The stars have played the opening games, giving us an early look at their physical form.

The reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, starts the season aiming to capture the award for a second straight year. It's a feat achieved by only 13 players in league history, including Nikola Jokić, who once again stands as a major contender. With other stars like Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, and Giannis Antetokounmpo also entering the mix, the stage is set for another exciting race. At MightyTips, our experts are tracking how these contenders shape the season's early narratives.

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NBA MVP Odds 2026

The table below outlines the latest odds for the 2025-26 NBA MVP award, as offered by top NBA betting sites. Gilgeous-Alexander opens as the frontrunner at 2.75, followed by Jokić at 3.60 and Dončić at 4.75. Further down, Wembanyama sits at 12.00, Antetokounmpo at 13.00, and Edwards at 26.00, while long shots like Cunningham, Durant, Brunson, and Sengun offer extended odds beyond 50.00.

Player Team Odds
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Oklahoma City Thunder 2.75
Nikola Jokić Denver Nuggets 3.60
Luka Dončić Los Angeles Lakers 4.75
Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs 12.00
Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks 13.00
Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves 26.00
Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons 51.00
Kevin Durant Houston Rockets 51.00
Jalen Brunson New York Knicks 61.00
Alperen Sengun Houston Rockets 101.00

NBA MVP Odds Favourites: SGA at the top

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to repeat his remarkable success from last season, when he claimed both the regular-season and the Finals MVP awards. Last year, he led the league with 32.7 points per game, adding elite defensive numbers and clutch performances that defined Oklahoma City's title run.

The Thunder remain one of the league's deepest and most balanced teams, but SGA's influence is what sets them apart. Shai kicked off the 2025/26 regular season with an impressive 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in Oklahoma City's double-overtime win against Houston. Confident, composed, and entering his prime, Gilgeous-Alexander looks prepared for another standout campaign.

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić continues to redefine consistency and dominance at the highest level. The three-time MVP has finished first or second in voting in each of the past five seasons. In 2024/25, he led the league with 34 triple-doubles.

Denver's roster looks strong this year, with improved depth and a reliable backup in Jonas Valančiūnas, giving Jokić more support without diminishing his impact. Known for his unmatched efficiency and clutch play, the Serbian star remains at the centre of Denver's success. Another MVP run would place him alongside the game's all-time greats.

Luka Dončić

Luka Dončić begins his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers as both the team's new leader and one of the central figures in the MVP odds discussion. With LeBron James sidelined, the spotlight fully belongs to Luka, who has arrived in peak physical condition after a dedicated offseason.

He averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in limited action with the Lakers last year and looks ready to raise those numbers. The franchise has clearly shifted toward building around him, and early signs suggest he's embracing that role. If Dončić keeps up his elite form, his long-awaited MVP breakthrough could finally come this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo begins the new season with another enormous workload on his shoulders. For the first time in years, he starts without an All-Star teammate, Damian Lillard, meaning Milwaukee's success will depend almost entirely on his ability to carry the team.

The two-time MVP has finished in the top four of voting for seven straight seasons and will once again post elite numbers across the board. Expect double-digit rebounds, dominant interior defence, and all-around leadership that keeps the Bucks competitive. However, with limited support and an uncertain ceiling, his current NBA MVP odds hinge largely on whether Milwaukee can stay in the playoff mix.

Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama steps into his third NBA season with the potential to make history. At just 21 years old, the French superstar could challenge Derrick Rose's record as the youngest MVP in league history. After recovering from a blood clot that cut last campaign short, Wembanyama looks even stronger. He averaged 3.8 blocks per game last season and could realistically push that toward all-time levels.

If Victor continues to develop at this pace, the potential is undeniable, but whether it translates into an MVP campaign is another story. The Spurs still need significant improvement before Wembanyama can truly enter the MVP conversation.

NBA MVP Odds Dark Horses

Beyond the leading five, several standout players could shake up the NBA MVP odds this season. Stars like Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, and Paolo Banchero have the talent and narrative potential to challenge the favourites.

Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards has evolved into one of the league's most magnetic figures. He's confident, authentic, and relentlessly driven to improve. Coming off career highs in three-pointers and efficiency, he's now targeting another leap that could turn him from rising star to MVP. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves' guard has vowed to refine his mid-range and post-up game. These areas could make his offence nearly unstoppable. To join the elite tier of current NBA MVP contenders like Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić, Edwards must combine elite scoring with team success. If he pushes the Timberwolves to a top-two finish while delivering around 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, plus an all-defensive nod, his MVP case will be impossible to ignore.

Cade Cunningham

Cade Cunningham enters the 2025-26 campaign as one of the most realistic dark-horse MVP candidates. After finishing 7th in voting last year, the Detroit Pistons star looks primed to push higher, potentially landing inside the top five. He is projected to average around 28 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds.

With Jaden Ivey back to share playmaking duties, Cunningham should operate with more freedom and fewer turnovers. Detroit's success will ultimately define his MVP chances. If the Pistons stay near 50 wins, Cade's growth, leadership, and improved decision-making could make him impossible to overlook.

Paolo Banchero

Paolo Banchero's MVP chances depend heavily on team success. For the Orlando Magic star to enter serious contention, his team likely needs to finish top three in the East, or he must post near triple-double averages. Banchero resembles a hybrid of power, creativity, and versatility, but consistency and efficiency will define his ceiling.

Orlando's defence is elite, yet their offence must take a step forward. The addition of Desmond Bane could help unlock that, though maintaining big numbers with another star beside him will be challenging. Still, a healthy Banchero remains a dark-horse MVP threat.

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Klimentijs Konevs

Klimentijs Konevs

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Klimentijs Konevs

Klimentijs Konevs

As a child, I tried my hand at many sports, including football, basketball, and floorball. From then on, I always tried to stay active. To this day, I closely follow the world of sports and apply my accumulated knowledge to my game predictions.