As the 2024-25 NBA season nears, there has been a shift in the latest MVP odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The current favorite is now Luka Doncic after he passed three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Doncic has some momentum in his favor after averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds in the regular season in 2023-24 before leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance since the team’s 2011 championship run. It marked the second time Doncic at least reached the Western Conference Finals in his career.
Doncic is expected to have another historic statistical season. He’s currently the favorite to be the NBA’s scoring leader at +140. He also trails only Trae Young (+135) and Tyrese Haliburton (+175) when comparing favorites to be the league’s leader in assists per game. He also is second behind only Stephen Curry (-275) to average the most three-pointers per game.
The Mavericks would need to win a lot of regular season games regardless of Doncic’s stats for him to win the MVP award. Dallas faces a win projection of 50.5 games on DraftKings Sportsbook, which would net a fourth-place finish behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Mavs are +105 to hit the Over and -125 to finish Under on DraftKings Sportsbook.
The projection for the Nuggets to finish with more wins than the Mavericks would be an interesting outcome for the MVP race. Jokic would be well-positioned to achieve his fourth MVP award-winning season if he provides his regular production and Denver is a top-three team in the West. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would have a great outlook as well if the Thunder finish first.
The roster changes the Mavericks have made since last summer should translate to a lot of regular-season success. The team’s offseason additions of Klay Thompson, Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and Spencer Dinwiddie should help. Dallas has constructed a deeper team than the roster that was assembled to begin the 2023-24 season.
There are internal factors to consider about the Mavericks’ outlook. It should be beneficial to have a full season of impact from P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford as opposed to gaining them as midseason acquisitions. Dereck Lively II could take another step forward in his development, or at least be more consistent, as a second-year NBA player. Doncic has also established productive chemistry with backcourt partner Kyrie Irving and shed many of the questions concerning their fit.
Full MVP Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
1. Luka Doncic (+370 odds to win MVP on DraftKings Sportsbook)
2. Nikola Jokic (+400)
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+425)
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (+800)
5. Anthony Edwards (+1200)
6. Victor Wembanyama (+2000)
7. Joel Embiid (+2500)
8. Ja Morant (+4000)
9. Stephen Curry (+5000)
10. Kevin Durant (+7000)
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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