The NBA rung in the official start of All-Star Weekend with the Celebrity Game and Rising Stars Challenge contest on Friday evening. With festivities now in full swing, the league’s top talents are shining bright in San Francisco ahead of Sunday night’s capstone — the NBA All-Star Game, but with the added twist of a revamped format.
With the new game plan, the 24 NBA All-Stars have been split into three teams and will face off against each other, as well as the winning Rising Stars squad, in a four-team tournament on the national stage.
DraftKings has several betting options for the contest, with All-Star Game MVP odds among them. Which superstar will bring home the hardware?
NBA All-Star Game MVP odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
There’s 24 All-Stars in total ranging from +500 to +6000 odds to win the showcase’s award. Among the favorites are:
- Stephen Curry, +500
- Victor Wembanyama, +800
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, +800
- LeBron James, +900
- Anthony Edwards, +1000
- Kevin Durant, +1200
- Jayson Tatum, +1200
Predicting outcomes of the All-Star Game is a bit difficult given the reputation the game has earned over the last several years for sky-high scoring and lack of genuine defensive effort. However, the new format may be exactly what the league needs to put the event back on the map. There’s also the added competitiveness of the tournament style with bragging rights for team managers Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Candace Parker.
Here’s a couple of options among these favorites who hold some appeal in the ASG MVP race.
Victor Wembanyama, C, +800
The 7-foot-3 Frenchman is quite possibly the most fun player in the Association. With his gangly frame, skillful offensive arsenal, and absurd defensive prowess as a shot blocker and rebounder, the 21-year-old has already taken the league by storm. He’s a walking mismatch, of course, but he also recently expressed a desire to provide some energy the exhibition. “I hope I can bring that contrast of a single guy who goes crazy, dives on the ball, hustles every play,” Wembanyama told the San Antonio Express-News in a recent interview. With the talented young star having made his intentions clear, he deserves a look to win the ASG MVP at +800 odds, already up from +1000 a day ago.
LeBron James, F, +900
The lights of this weekend are nothing new for James, a 20-time All-Star who last won ASG MVP in 2018. The 40-year-old defies Father Time year in and year out, and while his valiant battle against his age will lead to an inevitable decline at some point, it hasn’t come yet. King James will suit up for Shaq’s OGs, who have a first-round matchup against Candace’s Rising Stars. As the veteran makes yet another appearance alongside the league’s top talents, it’s hard to deny James’ all-around impact on the floor. Would winning ASG MVP be a cool moment for one of the GOATs in the twilight of his career? Of course it would, and with the fourth-best odds at +900, he’s not a bad bet whatsoever.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, +800
Steph Curry almost got the nod with the third blurb here given his pole position as the leader to win ASG MVP at +500, but Curry has slowed down a notch this season. Instead, there’s another guard who might be set to take his place. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing out of his mind this season and is the leading candidate to win the NBA MVP once the year wraps up. However, he should be in consideration to bring home the ASG MVP this weekend, especially considering just how dominant he’s been. As an elite scorer with a crafty offensive game, his skills should translate well to this new format. If the defensive intensity gets turned up, that’s okay — SGA will still get buckets. He’s worth a look at +800 odds.
Honorable Mention: Cade Cunningham, G, +2500
This fourth-year guard is a long-shot play at +2500 odds, but the former first-overall pick is on a mission this season. Cunningham has led the Pistons to their first winning record at the All-Star Break since the 2009 Allen Iverson-helmed squad. With a chip on his shoulder, Cunningham could be a sleeper pick to make some serious noise. The jumbo guard can score and pass with the best of them, and as he takes the court for Kenny’s Young Stars, Cunningham could make some serious noise on the big stage.
