Which players are the MVP favorites is always a season long discussion. Although we’re only two weeks into the regular season, two players who are likely to take home this year’s MVP award stand out. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic have already put on a show early in the regular season. However, a few other NBA superstars are hot on their heels when it comes to their chances of winning the 2022-23 NBA MVP. Regardless, it’s hard to argue with Giannis and Luca, who are still favorites.
Best odds to win NBA MVP in first two weeks: Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo
Luca +400
Doncic has led the Dallas Mavericks to a 4-3 win record so far, but his division record is far from flawless. Luca is currently averaging 36.7 points per game, which currently leads the NBA. He averaged 9.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists per game, 50.3 percent field goal percentage and a player efficiency rating of 36.1, also the best in the league. Luca also improved his defense as he saw a slight increase in steals average (1.7 per game) and defensive box plus/minus of +2.5. These are definitely MVP numbers. It’s important to note that the Mavericks are still integrating new players into their roster, so don’t expect them to stick with a mediocre record early in the regular season here, especially with Luca coming into the prime.
Giannis +600
Giannis led the Bucks to an NBA best record of 7-0. What’s scary is that he’ll be doing so much closer than fellow star Chris Middleton, who is coming back from injury relatively soon. Giannis starts hot out of the gates. He is currently averaging 33.8 points, 1.7 blocks, 5.2 assists and 12.8 rebounds per game.
On top of that, Giannis is shooting an effective field goal percentage of 61.2 percent and has a player efficiency rating of 33.2, a career high by far. Not to mention, he averaged a league-best defensive box plus/minus of 4.3, another stat that is his career high heading into the new NBA season. When you combine these impressive numbers, it’s easy to see why Giannis is already the MVP favorite, as the Bucks look like the most dominant team in the league.
Other favorites
Since the season is still young, we’d be remiss not to list other MVP favorites. Following closely behind Giannis at +650 odds is last season’s runner-up for MVP, Joel Embiid. Embiid is currently averaging 27.2 points, 3.3 assists and 9.5 rebounds per game. After Embiid is Memphis’ Jay Morant at +750 odds. Morant is considered a dark horse candidate with averages of 33.3 points, 6.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Kevin Durant comes in just behind Morant at +1200 odds. Despite Brooklyn’s impressive start to the season, Durant is still averaging 32.5 points, 4.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. Finally, we have two-time state MVP in Nikola Jokic with +1200 odds as well as 21.0 points, 8.4 assists and 11.1 rebounds per game. We’re not even halfway through the season and this MVP race is already shaping up to be a good one.
