NBA MVP Best Bets: 2027 MVP Predictions & Odds
As we inch closer to tip-off in the 2026-27 NBA season, it is time to make our official NBA MVP predictions. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ran away with the award last year, accumulating a total of 83 first place votes, 73 more than 2nd placed Nikola Jokic and 12 more compared to the year before.
Only three players in NBA history have won the award in 3 consecutive seasons. SGA has the opportunity to join an elite list containing only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird, but how likely is that scenario? Let’s look at some of the main contenders and odds for the NBA MVP award. Also, don’t forget to bookmark our NBA picks page for predictions on all upcoming games this season.
NBA MVP Odds
Below we have the latest NBA MVP odds, courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook and available at time of publishing:
Victor Wembanyama +200
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +400
Luka Dončić +500
Nikola Jokić +600
Giannis Antetokounmpo +1000
Anthony Edwards +1500
Jayson Tatum +1600
Cade Cunningham +2500
Jalen Brunson +3000
Donovan Mitchell +10000
Tyrese Haliburton +15000
NBA MVP Contenders
NBA MVP Best Bet: Luka Dončić (+500)
This award has eluded Dončić quite a few times in his career already and entering his 9th season, pressure is building up on the Slovenian superstar. All-time greats like LeBron James and Michael Jordan have already won multiple MVP awards and this stage of their careers and if Dončić wants to continue to be mentioned in that company he will have to start winning some silverware. This season with the Lakers, the first one without LeBron James playing alongside him, I feel like Dončić finally has the necessary pieces around him to be at his best. Austin Reaves enters the year after averaging a career high in points, the Lakers have addressed their issues down low by adding big man Walker Kessler and they’ve also boosted the bench with speed and much needed three and D guys in Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Matisse Thybulle. Mix all those things together after a 50+ win season last year, I think the Lakers could be on their way in the Western Conference. We’ve seen glimpses of what Dončić will look like in the offseason, he appears to have gotten in shape way earlier compared to previous years. The closest he’s ever been to winning this award was in 2023-24 when he finished 3rd as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. Both Wemby and SGA won 60+ games last season, they’ll have a much harder time impressing the voters this time around. Plus, after winning two MVPs voter fatigue now becomes an issue for the Thunder guard. I’ll happily back Dončić at +500 to take home his first ever MVP award.
NBA MVP Value pick: Jayson Tatum (+1600)
Coming off an Achilles injury people had serious questions whether or not Jayson Tatum will be the player he once was when he comes back. Not only did he come back, but he also recovered in record time (298 days). Tatum returned in early March and appeared in 16 of the Celtics’ last 19 regular season games, posting averages of 21.7 points, 10 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Boston is going through a transition year and it goes without saying having Tatum back and healthy will be vital for any success they have this season. Jaylen Brown is no longer on the team, we will finally find out if Tatum can carry a team on his own. In 2024-25 (his last healthy season), Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6 assists per game, finishing 4th in MVP voting. He is yet to crack the Top 3, but similarly to Dončić it feels like he is just entering his prime years. Expectations are always high for the men in green – the Celtics added a versatile wing in Paul George and signed Mitchell Robinson to improve their interior defense. Assuming everyone is healthy, this team has the potential to grab one of the home court advantage spots in the East and if that’s the case Tatum will be at the forefront of any success they have.
NBA MVP Long Shot pick: Tyrese Haliburton (+15000)
More often than not the MVP award is based off of certain narratives and coming into this year the Indiana Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton have plenty of those. After a historic run all the way to Game 7 of the NBA Finals two seasons ago, the Pacers never really got a fair chance to defend their title as they were without their superstar Haliburton for the entirety of last year. Hali is now back and healthy, if he is anywhere close to the player that led the Pacers on that magical run a couple of seasons ago he could very well make a case to win this award. The Eastern Conference is pretty much wide open at this point, with no clear cut favorite. After the addition of big man Ivica Zubac during the season, Indy also added a couple of intriguing pieces in Kelly Oubre Jr. and Larry Nance Jr. over the summer. There will be no shortage of firepower on this roster and that is a system in which Haliburton will thrive. Head coach Rick Carlisle is also experienced enough to manage his superstar back into the thick of things slowly, as he tries to regain his superstar form. At +15000 odds I feel like Haliburton is a solid long shot bet to win the NBA MVP award.
