NBA MVP Odds 2026
The standout star in the NBA has been named MVP since 1955-56. There is a who ’s-who of the greatest players to play the game on the roll of honor, with icons such as LeBron James, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar all being recognized. The NBA MVP Odds for 2026 can be found here.
NBA MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | -800 |
| Victor Wembanyama | +700 |
| Nikola Jokic | +1200 |
| Luka Doncic | +3300 |
| Cade Cunningham | +5000 |
| Jaylen Brown | +8000 |
Key Requirements to Win The NBA MVP
The NBA MVP is named at the end of the season, but only stars who have contributed to a team’s success with the ability to regularly score highly consistently throughout the season are likely to be prominent in the order. Key requirements to win the MVP Award include:
- Minimum Games Played: Players must have featured in 65+ games to qualify
- Team Success: The MVP is typically a player on a top-three-seeded franchise in their conference.
- Elite Stats: Winners typically rank within the top five for points per game, as well as having high metrics for rebounds and assists.
- Media Buzz: Players with a ‘story’ typically influence the voting. Therefore, stars that carry a weaker team, or those producing high numbers are a lengthy injury excel.
- Player Value: The MVP must be clearly recognizable as the key component to a team’s success.
NBA MVP Contenders
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the front-runner for the MVP award in 2026. The 27-year-old broke the long-standing record set by Wilt Chamberlain earlier in the season, scoring 20+ points in 127 consecutive regular season games.
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
French star Victor Wembanyama has quickly become one of the standout stars in the NBA, winning the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year. His performances have reached new heights in 2025-26, becoming just the third player in 50 years to score 50 points despite playing fewer than 27 minutes.
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic continues to be one of the leading stars in the NBA. Recently, he produced his 190th career triple-double, scoring 31 points, 12 assists, and 20 rebounds in a win for the Nuggets against the San Antonio Spurs.
Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers)
LA Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is also likely to be in the running for the MVP award. The 27-year-old has performed at a high level throughout the season, headlined by a 51-point scoring outing in a win over the Chicago Bulls on March 12.
Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
Cade Cunningham has been one of the breakout stars in the NBA this season, being named in the All-NBA Team for the first time in 2025. The 24-year-old made franchise history earlier in the season, becoming the first player for the team to score 40-plus points and 10-plus assists at Madison Square Garden.
Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
Jaylen Brown’s dominance has been evident in the NBA once again this season, with the small forward key to the Celtics’ chances of achieving a playoff finish. The 29-year-old has scored an average of 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
