2025/26 NBA MVP Futures: Who’s the Most Valuable?
Written by: Varun Sharma
Last Update: Tue Feb 17, 2026, 10:16 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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One of the most highly debated awards in all of sports, the Most Valuable Player Award. In the NBA it seems the qualifications for 'Most Valuable' and the definition seem to change every single year, but this year with so many injuries and missed games; the race has become that much more interesting.
Today we're going to talk about the current MVP Award Odds and two guys I think have some value here at the season's halfway mark. Let's jump right into it.
For more on NBA Futures, click here for an in depth look at this year's odds to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today's NBA slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page.
Most Valuable Player
Oddsmakers have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander favored to win his second straight MVP Award, listing him as a (-200) favorite. Shai's averaging 31.8 points, 6.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. He's shooting 55.4% from the field and getting to the line for 9.2 free throw attempts per game. Shai's also doing all of this while playing just 33.3 minutes per game; his lowest average since his rookie year.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have won 42 games this year, they've got the best record in the NBA and their superstar Shai looks poised for his second career MVP Award.
The only thing holding Shai back is this recent abdominal injury. Gilgeous-Alexander suffered a strained abdomen in his game against the Magic two weeks ago and he's since seen his MVP odds drop from peaks of (-340) now to the (-200) we currently sit at. He's played in 49 of the Thunder's 56 games and would only need to suit up for 16 of the Thunder's remaining 26 games to meet the 65-game requirement.
Shai's set to be reevaluated after the All-Star break but nothing has been said about his timetable to return as of right now.
Betting Odds
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-200)
- Nikola Jokic (+300)
- Cade Cunningham (+1500)
- Luka Dončić (+2000)
- Victor Wembanyama (+3300)
- Jaylen Brown (+5000)
- Donovan Mitchell (+10000)
- Anthony Edwards (+20000)
- Jalen Brunson (+50000)
Odds via Lucky Rebel, an industry leader in the sports betting world.
Past Winners
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2024/25)
- Nikola Jokić (2023/24)
- Joel Embiid (2022/23)
- Nikola Jokić (2021/22)
- Nikola Jokić (2020/21)
Nikola Jokić (+300)| Lucky Rebel
The one guy I can't get off my mind is Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. He's currently sitting at (+300) to win the MVP and to it feels like a ton of value. What's holding me back? The 65-game rule.
Jokić has played in just 39 of the Nuggets' 55 games so far this year, meaning he would need to play in 26 of Denver's remaining 27 games to just qualify for the award. Jokić missed time due to a hyperextended knee and almost immediately upon returning went back to a regular rotation.
The big Serbian has played seven games since returning, he's played 33+ minutes in five of the seven games. He's playing back to backs and he's even played a 45-minute, double overtime game.
Jokic being on any type of a restriction doesn't feel likely but the risk of re-injury remains. With that being said, (+300) for the three time MVP still deserves even a small sprinkle.
Jaylen Brown (+5000)| Lucky Rebel
Call this a 'homer' pick, but Jaylen Brown is playing MVP caliber basketball. The Boston Celtics are 35-19, 2nd in the Eastern Conference and have the 4th best record in the NBA. The Celtics rank top five in offensive rating, top 10 in defensive rating and top five in net rating.
This team lost three of their five starters, their top point scorer and rebounder; yet they are one game off last year's win pace. How? Jaylen Brown.
Brown's averaging career highs across the board; averaging 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Brown's also shooting 48.3% from the field and getting to the line for 7 free throw attempts per game. He's been one of their best defensive players this year and has solidified himself has the best 'two-way' guard in the NBA.
Brown's unlikely to be crowned MVP this year with Jokić and Shai currently leading the pack, but with both guys suffering injuries and missing time; the window might be open just a little.
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