The Dallas Mavericks have the 2022/23 MVP favorite. According to bet365 sportsbook, Luka Doncic is the favorite for the MVP award. He is priced at 9 to 2 with the firm (ie. +450 or 9/2). Doncic is ahead of the field with Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th favorites respectively.
NBA MVP Odds as of September 16th, 2022 (Preseason)
- Doncic +450 (9/2)
- Joel Embiid +500 (5/1)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo +525 (21/4)
- Kevin Durant +900 (9/1)
- Nikola Jokic +1000 (10/1)
Analysis of the NBA MVP Odds
Doncic looks overrated as the MVP favorite. This is a player that will be entering his fifth year in the NBA and he is clearly a heavy favorite to make the All-Star Game. However, what's interesting with the 23-year-old is that his improvements have actually plateaued since his second year.
Doncic averaged 28.4 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game, and 8.7 assists per game. That's pretty much what he did in his second year as well. Those averages are good enough to stay in the talk for the MVP Award but here's the big problem with Doncic: he is injury prone.
Last year, he missed 17 games in the 82-game season. That's too many to miss for a contender for the MVP Award. 9 to 2 on Doncic is too short.
MVP debate will be season long
The debate on the NBA MVP will be visited and revisited throughout the season. It is rarely ignored among pundits and fans alike. What's always interesting in the MVP watch is to see if a peripheral contender starts to play like a superstar. Ahead of the games starting, it is hard to tell who really put the work in during the offseason. However, for those that did it starts to show up in the box scores quickly.
Anthony Edwards of Minnesota is one to watch. He is 50 to 1 in the MVP market but if he does well in Minnesota's new-look lineup, his stats might baloon. Also, keep an on LaMelo Ball as the talent inside the point guard could erupt at any time. He is priced at 80 to 1.
