NBA MVP Odds: LeBron James Still the King

When the 2020-21 NBA season started, there was no clear MVP favorite. Approaching two months later and we've seen changes and challengers at the top of the Most Valuable Player race, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers made a massive leap a few weeks ago, and he remains one of the top MVP favorites at +550. A month ago it was Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks who held the MVP favorite top spot in a wide open race. Brookly Nets star Kevin Durant had skyrocketed up the MVP odds board the end of 2020. Those two remain major MVP threats with both at +750.

But a week ago LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers surged as the new MVP favorite, and King James still holds the favorite role with even lower odds of +280 at FanDuel Sportsbook.

LeBron barely cracks the top 15 scorers in the NBA averaing 25.6 points per game. Eight other players on the MVP list below are scoring more than James, and his 49.7% FG percentage is outside the top 50 in the league. James is also averaging exactly 8 assist and 8 rebounds per game, which puts him outside the top 20 in rebounds.

The leading contenders will have a chance to make their case for NBA MVP as the season moves forward. The second half of the season doesn't begin until mid-March.

NBA MVP Odds 2021

1. LeBron James (+280)

2. Nikola Jokic (+440)

3. Joel Embiid (+550)

4. Kevin Durant (+750)

5. Luka Doncic (+750)

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1000)

7. Stephen Currey (+1200)

8. Anthony Davis (+3000)

9. Damian Lillard (+3000)

10. Kawhi Leonard (+3600)

11. James Harden (+4600)

12. Paul George (+5500)

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