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The 2022-23 NBA campaign is just a few days away, with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics getting the regular season underway at 7:30 p.m. (ET) at TD Garden on October 18.
The start of the season is not only an exciting time for the teams and the league itself, but also for handicappers, as it brings new opportunities to make bank. One of the best ways for bettors to get value for their money is on future bets, particularly player props.
Perhaps the most intriguing NBA player future bets is projecting which star will win the league’s MVP award. The big question surrounding the MVP award is can Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic become the first player since Larry Bird (1984-86) to win three straight Maurice Podoloff trophies? The following are some of the top contenders for the award.
Top Contenders to Win the 2023 NBA MVP Award
Luka Doncic (+450) – Dallas Mavericks
Doncic has all the offensive tools to win his first MVP award this season. The 2022-23 campaign has the potential to be the best season of the 23-year-old’s young career, as he will likely have to do more on the offensive end of the floor with Jalen Brunson now in New York.
Doncic has finished in the top six in MVP voting in each of the last three seasons. He was fifth last year after setting career highs in total points, assists, rebounds and turnovers.
However, there are a few things that could keep Doncic from earning the hardware: health and the success of the Mavericks. The winner of the MVP is generally awarded to the player who plays for one of the league’s top teams that had the best individual campaign.
Joel Embiid (+600) – Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid has finished as the runner-up to Jokic in the past two seasons. The 2021-22 NBA scoring champion is a difference-maker on both ends of the floor and the 76ers should be one of the best teams, not only in the Eastern Conference, but in the league.
Embiid, who has looked great during the preseason, has really become a true inside/outside threat due to the continual improvement of his perimeter shooting.
He set career-highs in scoring and assists a season ago. Health is the only concern for the 7-footer, as his 68 appearances were the most in his career.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (+650) – Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo’s unique skill set and ability to dominate a game on both ends of the floor will always make the Greek Freak a contender for the league’s top individual award.
The two-time MVP finished fourth in the voting last season despite setting a career-high in points per game (29.9). The biggest potential obstacle in Antetokounmpo’s way is whether the Bucks are a top-tier club.
Nikola Jokic (+1000) – Denver Nuggets
Jokic is the two-time reigning MVP and is coming off a campaign where he led the league in triple-doubles (19), defensive rebounds (813) and total rebounds (1019). The Joker also set career bests in points per game (27.1), rebounds (13.8), steals (1.5), blocks (0.9), free throw attempts and field goal percentage (58.3%).
There is no doubt that Jokic will continue to fill the score sheet this season. However, his biggest resume builder could be that the Nuggets may have a special season, as Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are finally healthy again.
Jayson Tatum (+1200) – Boston Celtics
Tatum is coming off a career season where he surprisingly led the Celtics to the NBA Finals. However, the big question this season is how the 24-year-old will respond after struggling against the Warriors in those Finals.
Tatum is extremely talented and it would be a total shock that he didn’t have a strong campaign. The Celtics have the highest win total at 53.5 and Tatum could really benefit from Malcolm Brogdon’s playmaking ability.
Ja Morant (+1200) – Memphis Grizzlies
Morant, like Tatum, had a breakout season a year ago and led Memphis to a franchise-tying 56 wins, as well as a spot in the Western Conference semifinals.
While the Griz have a deep and well-balanced team, Morant could be counted on more on the offensive end, as Jaren Jackson Jr. is expected to be out til at least early January.
Zion Williamson (+1200) – New Orleans Pelicans
Williamson appears to be in the best shape of his short NBA career and could be in line for a monster year. The Pelicans could be one of the biggest movers in the league after surprisingly earning a playoff berth a season ago.
Kevin Durant (+1400) – Brooklyn Nets
While Durant is not the player that he once was, he can still tickle the twine with the best of them. The Nets have had championship aspirations since KD and Kyrie Irving arrived in Brooklyn.
If the Nets do have the season that the franchise has dreamed of with those two, Durant will be the catalyst.
Pick: Joel Embiid (+600)
2023 NBA MVP Futures Betting Lines
Luka Doncic +450
Joel Embiid +600
Giannis Antetokounmpo +650
Nikola Jokic +1000
Zion Williamson +1200
Jayson Tatum +1200
Ja Morant +1200
Kevin Durant +1400
Steph Curry +1800
LeBron James +2000
Kawhi Leonard +2500
Devin Booker +3300
Karl-Anthony Towns +3300
Damian Lillard +4000
Trae Young +5000
Anthony Davis +5000
Anthony Edwards +5000
James Harden +6600
Paul George +7500
Darius Garland +8000
Jimmy Butler +8000
Donovan Mitchell +8000
LaMelo Ball +8000
Kyrie Irving +8000
Chris Paul +10000
DeMar DeRozan +10000
Dejounte Murray +10000
Jaylen Brown +10000
Bradley Beal +10000
Pascal Siakam +10000
Brandon Ingram +15000
Russell Westbrook +15000
Ben Simmons +20000
