NBA MVP Futures Best Odds and Picks

NBA MVP FUTURES BEST ODDS AND PICKS FEBRUARY 18, 2023 - Welcome back basketball fans to our weekly column. Under normal circumstances, I’d be providing picks from the upcoming weekend’s slate of games. However, that is not going to be the case this week due to the All-Star weekend. With that being said, we are going to shift our focus to futures content instead. 

In early January, we discussed the top players in the running for the league’s most valuable player award. At that point, the list included Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic. Are these players still the odds-on favorite to be crowned MVP? Let us take a look and find out.  

Odds Courtesy of DraftKings as of February 18, 2023

Giannis Antetokounmpo (+700)

In our previous post, Giannis Antetokounmpo was ranked second. But his odds have dipped somewhat, placing him at the No. 3 spot in this category on our updated list. 

Antetokounmpo has been playing some great basketball as of late. During the seven games that he has suited up for this month, Giannis is averaging 32 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per contest on shooting splits of .553/.238/.667. 

This includes a stretch in which he posted two 50-point outings in a five-game span. Antetokounmpo had scored 50 points three times coming into this season. And now, he’s compiled three such games this season. 

His overall numbers are pretty impressive as well. He’s averaging a career-best 31.8 points per contest to go along with 9.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He is also shooting the ball at an efficient rate, converting 53.8 percent of his attempts. 

While his three-point shooting (27 percent) and free-throw shooting (64.6 percent) could be better, the “Greek Freak” is one of the most difficult players to guard, as he seems to get to the rim at will. Based on what we have seen so far, I expect him to be in the conversation for the rest of the season. 

Joel Embiid (+425)

The list continues with another big man who presents matchup problems for the opposition. Embiid has been in the MVP conversation for most of the season, and with good reason. 

He has had a month to remember so far. In eight appearances this month, Embiid is averaging 30.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He’s also shooting 52.9 percent from the field and a respectable 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. 

His overall numbers are just as solid. In 45 appearances, the Sixers’ big man is averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per outing. It is also worth noting that he’s converting 85.8 percent of his free-throw attempts and this will mark the third consecutive season in which he’s increased his scoring average. Embiid finished as the runner-up in this category in 2021-22, and something tells me he will finish no lower than No. 2 this season, if he doesn’t win that is. 

Nikola Jokic (-250)

A few weeks ago, Nicola Jokic had the third-best odds to win the league MVP award but now he has catapulted to the No. 1 spot. 

Sure, Jokic has the lowest scoring average (24.7 PPG) out of all the players on this week’s list. However, the two-time MVP is also averaging 11.5 rebounds and 10.1 assists per game. Yes, let that sink in for a moment. A center that is averaging over 10 assists per outing. 

The fact he is averaging a triple-double proves how he can impact the game in different ways. For instance, he posted a stat line of 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Portland Trail Blazers in late January 

 

Not only did he finish with a triple-double, but he also shot a sizzling 13-for-14 from the field and 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. Let us also remember that Jokic is shooting 39.1 percent from the three-point line. Simply put, the guy can do a bit of everything. 

Given the current odds, it appears that the award is his to lose. And if Jokic does win the award, it will be the third consecutive year in which he has taken home the MVP trophy. This would mark just the second time a player accomplished such an impressive feat. Larry Bird was the league’s MVP from 1984-86. Needless to say, this will put Jokic in elite company. It would make for a good story considering that a big man can still impact the game in an era where the long-range shot has become so prevalent.