NBA MVP Predictions: Top 3 Contenders to Bet On 2024-25 Season
- Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has already won the MVP award three times in the last four seasons
- Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards is coming off a career-high average of 25.9 points last season
- Oklahoma City shooting guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a career-high 30.1 points and 6.2 assists last season
- Check out the latest 2024-25 NBA odds at BetUS sportsbook!
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re just days away from the start of the NBA season, and I’ve already cleared out my couch and stocked up on batteries for the remote. With a marathon of games ahead, there’s no way I’m missing the action — and neither should you.
But more importantly, as the season approaches, it’s time to tackle one of the hottest questions when betting online: Who are the top NBA MVP candidates to keep an eye on this year?
With some big trades shaking things up, the race for the MVP award is wide open. So, let’s dive straight into the top three players to keep an eye on as potential frontrunners for the MVP award!
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Top 3 NBA MVP Contenders to Watch
1. Nuggets C Nikola Jokić Sets Sights on Fourth Award
Let’s get right into it: Are you surprised to see the “Joker” in my top slot for MVP front-runners this season? You shouldn’t be! There’s a reason he’s the betting favorite in NBA futures odds to win MVP honors.
The 7-foot crafty big man has every skill needed to take control of a game and, more importantly, lead the Denver Nuggets to a winning season as the focal point on both ends of the court.
Nikola Jokić is already a three-time MVP, most recently snagging the award last season while averaging nearly a triple-double with 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists. He shot an impressive 62% from the floor and 35% from beyond the arc, guiding the Nuggets to a 57-25 record and securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
NIKOLA JOKIĆ FOR THE WIN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ld5W7ox5bx
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 5, 2024
While the Nuggets have a solid lineup — with Jamal Murray at point guard, Aaron Gordon at forward and role players like Michael Porter Jr.— this team wouldn’t have claimed their recent NBA title two seasons ago, nor would they be the powerhouse they are in the West without Jokić leading the charge.
As we head into this season, don’t expect any drop-off in production from Denver, which is tied for third at +500 odds in NBA lines to win the Western Conference You can bet Jokić will need to stay on his A-game, hitting those ridiculous shots and making those crazy no-look passes if the Nuggets want to not only secure a top playoff spot again, but also make another push for an NBA title.
2. Timberwolves SG Anthony Edwards Set for Breakout Season
Coming in at number two is the “Ant-Man” himself, Anthony Edwards. After an incredible showing last season, both throughout the regular season and especially in the playoffs, Edwards has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike as a serious MVP candidate.
Edwards was the backbone of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ success, leading the team with 25.9 points, a team-high 1.3 steals, along with five rebounds and five assists per game. Edwards offers value to win MVP honors at +1100 in NBA betting predictions.
Entering his fifth year, Edwards is ready to make an even bigger impact this season. Last season, he quickly emerged as the Wolves’ leader, guiding them through an impressive playoff run that included sweeping the Suns and taking down the reigning NBA champion Nuggets in six games. Riding that momentum, all eyes will be on him as he looks to take his game to a new level.
Anthony Edwards put on a SHOW in #NBAPreseason action in New York!
🐜 31 PTS
🐜 11-19 FGM
🐜 8 3PM
🐜 26 MIN pic.twitter.com/gagQsL1FoH— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2024
With the trade of center Karl-Anthony Towns – the team’s second-leading scorer at 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game – to the Knicks, Edwards now has the perfect chance to shine. He’s stepping into the spotlight as the undisputed go-to guy for the Timberwolves, and there’s really no one on the roster who can compete with him for that spot.
3. OKC Thunder G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Proving He’s Still Elite
My sleeper pick — though it’s hardly a sleeper — is Oklahoma City’s own Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “SGA” has been making waves in the MVP conversation for the past two seasons, and he definitely made a solid case in 2023-24, averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 49% from the field. He led the Thunder to a remarkable 57-25 record, securing the top seed in the Western Conference.
NBA expert picks list the Thunder as the betting favorite to win the West at +325. As OKC continues to piece together a more formidable squad for a deeper playoff run, it’s clear that nothing would be possible without Gilgeous-Alexander lighting the way and delivering when the stakes are highest.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at half
19 points
5 assists
3 rebounds
6/9 shooting
3/5 3PT— TF (@ThunderFocus) October 16, 2024
With head coach Mark Daigneault’s system in place again, SGA has the freedom to thrive in pick-and-roll situations, allowing him to create for himself and his teammates. This sets him up perfectly for another stellar season and more.
Expect the Thunder to once again fight for a top spot in the West but, more importantly, get ready to see Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show. He’s an elite guard who can do it all, and this season, he deserves to be in the MVP conversation and part of your NBA picks.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
Questions of the Day
Who won the most MVP awards in NBA history?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for the most MVP awards in NBA history, with six wins
Which player is the youngest in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points?
LeBron James is the youngest player to hit 30,000 career points, doing it at just 33 years old
