The 2024-25 NBA season will one day be remembered as the year Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blossomed into a true superstar.
The Oklahoma City Thunder sensation has somehow found a new gear in the new year, as evidenced by a quartet of 50-point performances against the Jazz, Warriors, Suns, and Rockets. His highlight-worthy play has catapulted OKC to the top of the Western Conference standings, where they sit 14.5 games ahead of the second-place Houston Rockets.
Let's take a peek at the 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player odds to see where the rest of the competition stacks up.
2025 NBA MVP odds
Odds as of 4-2.
2025 NBA MVP favorites
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-1400)
Just how low can he go? Shai Gilgeous Alexander's NBA MVP odds have dropped from +400 on Opening Night to -1400 today as he continues to keep the Oklahoma City Thunder comfortably atop the Western Conference standings.
SGA's offense gets most of the attention - and deservedly so - but it's his defense that has progressed the most during his epic seventh season. The three-time All-Star is averaging 1.7 steals and a career-high 1.0 blocks per game and has made a habit of shutting down opposing guards on a nightly basis. His ball hawking has helped the Thunder achieve the best defensive rating in the NBA and has the team's faithful daydreaming about a championship run.
Gilgeous-Alexander was also the preseason target at BetMGM for many MVP bettors, leading both ticket count (14.5%) and handle (24.1%). He presently has the highest handle percentage (30.1%) at the sportsbook.
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32.8 | 5.0 | 6.4 | 52.2 |
Nikola Jokic (+750)
Nikola Jokic is an elite offense unto himself. He scores about as efficiently as anyone in NBA history, and does so entirely within the flow of an attack he also coordinates, with passing few have ever had the vision for.
The seven-time All-Star is posting a higher scoring average and is dishing more dimes than in any of his three previous three MVP campaigns and is on pace to become just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double over the course of an entire season.
Jokic was characteristically humble when asked about his MVP odds earlier in March. "I will say I think I’m playing the best basketball of my life so if that’s enough it’s enough," he said. "If not, [Gilgeous-Alexander] deserves it. He’s really amazing."
Jokic presently has the highest ticket percentage (23.4%) and second highest handle percentage (24.5%) at BetMGM.
| PTS | REB | AST | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29.7 | 12.8 | 10.2 | 57.5 |
Shai Gilgeous Alexander vs Nikola Jokic head-to-head stats in 2024-25
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
30.3 | 5.0 | 6.5 |
 Nikola Jokic |
24.5 | 15.8 | 11.5 |
The Thunder and Nuggets have split their four-game set this year, but Joker has been far more impactful in their head-to-head clashes, averaging a massive triple-double.
Jokic was especially dominant in Denver's 140-127 win over OKC on March 10, erupting for 35 points, 18 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and one block.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
NBA MVP odds over time
This year's MVP chase is sure to be a heavyweight melee. Follow along all season as we update this graphic with contenders rising and falling.
2025 NBA MVP opening odds
- Luka Doncic +350
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +400
- Nikola Jokic +475
- Giannis Antetokounmpo +850
- Jayson Tatum +1000
- Anthony Edwards +1200
- Jalen Brunson +1400
- Victor Wembanyama +2000
- Ja Morant +3500
- Joel Embiid +5000
Popular NBA futures odds
- NBA championship odds
- NBA Rookie of the Year odds
- NBA Most Improved Player odds
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds
- NBA Coach of the Year odds
- NBA Clutch Player of the Year odds
NBA MVP betting history
A quick look at recent NBA MVPs and their opening odds.
| Season | Player | Opening Odds | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Nikola Jokic | +450 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2022-23 | Joel Embiid | +600 |  Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2021-22 | Nikola Jokic | +1600 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2020-21 | Nikola Jokic | +2500 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | +210 |  Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2018-19 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | +475 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2017-18 | James Harden | +1100 |  Houston Rockets |
| 2016-17 | Russell Westbrook | +200 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2015-16 | Stephen Curry | +650 |  Golden State Warriors |
| 2014-15 | Stephen Curry | +1600 | Golden State Warriors |
NBA MVP odds FAQ
The NBA intentionally leaves "value" open to the interpretation of voters, who typically look for a dominant player on an elite team.
NBA voters submit MVP ballots shortly after the regular season concludes, and playoff games are not considered.
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets won the 2024 NBA MVP.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the all-time record with six NBA MVPs.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has the second shortest MVP odds at +425.
The NBA MVP award is voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from the United States and Canada. This panel consists of approximately 100 members who cover the NBA regularly throughout the season. They vote for the player they believe has been the most valuable to their team based on their performance throughout the regular season.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for winning the most NBA MVP awards in league history. He won the MVP award six times during his legendary career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
