The 2019-20 NBA season just wrapped up almost nearly a calendar year after it started. This means a short offseason before next season gets going. Las Vegas is already at it with odds for the 2020-21 NBA season after the Los Angeles Lakers took home the hardware with LeBron James winning NBA Finals MVP.
In what can’t be considered too much of a surprise, the Lakers are odds-on favorites to win the title again next season at +335. They are joined by the Clippers (+450) and Warriors (+550) with the best odds.
However, it’s the odds to win the 2020-21 NBA MVP that is more interesting right now. Said odds are headed by one of the best young players to hit the Association since King James himself.
NBA odds: Luka Doncic favored to win MVP
According to SportsBetting.com, Doncic comes in with +400 odds to win the NBA’s top individual honor for the 2020-21 season. In no way should this come as too much of a surprise.
As a sophomore this past season, the former No. 3 overall pick averaged 28.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game. Those are some prime LeBron James numbers from the 21-year-old guard. It came amid a season that Doncic was finally legally able to consume adult beverages in the United States. Think about that for a second.
NBA odds: Giannis Antetokounmpo is a co-favorite
Dating back to its inception in 1955-56, only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird have earned the NBA award in three consecutive seasons. That’s just how good the Greek Freak is at the still-young age of 25. This also seems to suggest that Giannis boasting +425 odds to win the MVP isn’t a great bet.
With that said, we’re talking about an historically good forward. Here’s a dude who is averaging 27.9 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 54% shooting since the start of the 2017-18 NBA season. These odds could also be impacted if the Bucks are forced to trade Antetokounmpo during the offseason.
NBA odds: Will Stephen Curry win third MVP?
After playing in just five games a season ago, Curry now appears to be fully healthy. That’s not great news for the Warriors’ Western Conference opponents. When on the court, this three-time NBA champion has been historically good.
Related: Top NBA players of 2020
From 2015-19, Curry averaged 27.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists. He also shot 48% from the field and 43% from three-point range while leading the Warriors to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. Golden State will be back in 2020-21. That makes Curry, with +500 odds, a good bet.
NBA odds: LeBron James and other top contenders
There’s some who thought King James should have earned the award over Giannis this past season. Given that he averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists while leading the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference, that made some sense. James comes in with the fourth-best odds to win the NBA MVP in 2020-21. Here’s a look at the rest of the top 10.
- LeBron James: +700
- Anthony Davis: +700
- James Harden: +800
- Kawhi Leonard: +900
- Kevin Durant: +1000
- Damian Lillard: +1500
- Jayson Tatum: +2500
Odds to win 2020-21 NBA title
- Los Angeles Lakers: +335
- Los Angeles Clippers: +450
- Golden State Warriors: +550
- Milwaukee Bucks: +650
- Brooklyn Nets: +1100