Germantas Kneita
In just a week’s time, the NBA will tip off the 2025-2026 season, so it feels like now is the perfect time to take a look at the contenders for the most prestigious individual accolade: the Most Valuable Player award. Last year it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder who won NBA MVP for the first time in his career. You can find out our 2025-26 NBA Championship predictions, including a +2750 longshot, but for now, let’s break down the contenders for the 2026 NBA MVP award and our best bet.
2026 NBA MVP odds
Odds courtesy of bet365 and available at time of publishing.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +175
- Nikola Jokic +250
- Luka Doncic +400
- Giannis Antetokounmpo +1000
- Victor Wembanyama +1400
- Anthony Edwards +2500
- Cade Cunningham +5000
- Kevin Durant +5000
- Jalen Brunson +6000
- Donovan Mitchell +8000
- Paolo Banchero +8000
- Joel Embiid +12500
- Trae Young +12500
- Zion Williamson +12500
2026 NBA MVP contenders
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+175)
The reigning MVP is odds on to keep his crown according to the sports books, but there could be several key factors working against him. For one, even his win last season was not without some controversy, with Nikola Jokic averaging a triple-double and dominating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in many of the categories outside of scoring. The Thunder finishing the season with 68 wins surely helped his case with the Nuggets struggling too.
This year the gap between Thunder and the other leading contenders in the NBA should shrink. It’s hard to see the Thunder improving on their record. That should turn the scrutiny back to the different statistical categories, and despite being the leading scorer in the league, I cannot see scoring alone elevating him to back-to-back MVP trophies. Especially when the other leading contenders impact the game in so many more ways.
Nikola Jokic (+250)
Nikola Jokic seems a good value choice to bring home the MVP trophy. Last season he joined an elite club of Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook by averaging a triple-double for the season. Considering he has managed to average at least 9 assists per game for each of the past 3 seasons, he should be in with a great chance of putting together another historical campaign. The Nuggets have strengthened the supporting cast around him, bringing in a great shooter in Cameron Johnson and bringing back a great cutter in Bruce Brown Jr. The combination of the pair should help Jokic showcase his playmaking abilities to the maximum.
Scoring wise the Serbian finished just over 3 points per game short of SGA while shooting more efficiently from the field and from beyond the arc than his counterpart. His 29.6 points per game were also enough to put him 3rd in the NBA in scoring. With Jokic not being reliant on athleticism for production, all signs point to the fact that there will be no drop off from him and we will see another incredible year from the 3-time MVP. By the end of the season, his numbers should have him firmly in the mix for his 4th.
Luka Doncic (+400)
Luka Doncic has been stuffing the stat sheet for years now in the NBA, but last year was not the greatest of his career. The Slovenian put up 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game, down from his numbers in his last full season with the Dallas Mavericks, where he averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game. While he has gotten in terrific shape ahead of the new season and should be entering his prime, chances could be impacted by the fact he is on the Los Angeles Lakers.
The construction of the teams roster currently has major defensive shortcomings, with the addition of Deandre Ayton on the inside unlikely to shore things up. It could mean that they finish below the teams of some of the other MVP candidates, which could work against him. His supporting cast is also made up of LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Both players are at their best with the ball in their hands, which will take away touches from Doncic. That fact alone could stop him from putting up the kind of numbers that would be needed from a player to win the MVP trophy.
2026 NBA MVP Best bet: Victor Wembanyama (+1400)
One man that has the potential to put up the necessary numbers to win the MVP Trophy is San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. In his sophomore season he jumped up to 24.3 points per game, while improving his efficiency across the board. He now enters the season with great depth at point guard, with De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and rookie sensation Dylan Harper running the show. The Frenchman also spent the off-season training with NBA legends Hakeem Olajuwan and Kevin Garnett, while getting stronger physically. Do not be surprised to see his numbers jump to above 28 points per game, making him one of the elite scorers in the league.
What separates Wembanyama from the rest of the contenders is his defensive play. Last season he averaged 3.8 blocks per game, 1.4 more than Walker Kessler in 2nd place. There is no deterrent at the rim like the Frenchman in the league and if he is able to stay healthy, he should be a lock for Defensive Player of the Year. And if he becomes one of the top 5 scorers in the league and the Spurs can win 50 games, it would be hard to argue against the best 2-way player in the league from being crowned the MVP. At these odds, I am taking the chance.
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