NBA awards odds update: Comparing preseason favorites to current market

While the NBA All-Star break isn't technically the halfway point, it serves as a valuable point to reflect on what's transpired over the first "half" and look ahead to the final months of the season.

Nearly every preseason award has seen a new favorite take hold after the first 60 games, though most races are still wide-open ahead of the final two dozen games of the campaign. So, here's a look at how each market has changed from preseason until now:

Most Valuable Player

Preseason favorite: Luka Doncic (+400)

Current favorite: Joel Embiid (+130)

A season after finishing as the MVP runner-up, Joel Embiid has been on a mission this year to take home the first trophy of his eight-year career. The 76ers center leads the NBA in scoring (29.6 points per game) and ranks in the top 10 in rebounds (11.2) and blocks (1.4) while single-handedly carrying his team to the No. 3 seed in the East.

He'll have company after the break when former MVP winner James Harden returns to the floor, which could complicate Embiid's "one-man show" narrative over the final 30% of the season. If he falters, don't be surprised to see reigning MVP Nikola Jokic steal the top spot with another stellar stat line.

Rookie of the Year

Preseason favorite: Cade Cunningham (+240)

Current favorite: Evan Mobley (-500)

For a while, this was a three-man race between Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, and preseason favorite Cade Cunningham. However, Mobley has pulled away from the pack as a key cog of the surging Cavaliers, and it's hard to see anyone catching him.

The No. 3 pick has been a force down low, ranking third among rookies in points (14.9) while leading all first-year players in rebounds (8.1) and blocks (1.6). He's done it all while shooting a stellar 50.3% - second among rookies with at least 300 attempts - to guide Cleveland to the seventh-best record in the NBA.

A strong shooting stretch from Cunningham, who leads all rookies in scoring (15.7), could give the top pick an outside chance at a comeback run. But with Mobley filling a major role for a dark horse title contender, it's his award to lose.

Defensive Player of the Year

Preseason favorite: Rudy Gobert (+380)

Current favorite: Rudy Gobert (+130)

At a glance, very little has changed. Rudy Gobert is still the favorite to take home his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award in five seasons, which has only happened once before in NBA history. His resume looks similar to those winning campaigns, too, as he once again leads the league in blocks (2.3) and defensive rebounds (11.3).

Still, Gobert's reign as the favorite is a recent development, as Warriors center Draymond Green held the top spot for months before a recent injury knocked him down a notch. If he returns shortly after the All-Star break, don't be surprised to see the do-it-all defensive star work his way back - especially with the Warriors' defensive rating (1st) far exceeding that of the Jazz's (10th).

Sixth Man of the Year

Preseason favorite: Jordan Clarkson (+550)

Current favorite: Tyler Herro (-1400)

This one feels so obvious in hindsight, doesn't it? Tyler Herro had already proven himself on the biggest stage with his strong play during the 2019-20 campaign, but a down year had him off many people's radar heading into this season.

There are few questions now after the Heat's super-sub dropped 20 points per game through the first two-thirds of the season - nearly four points per game higher than the next-best bench player. A sky-high usage rate (29.1%) has helped support his basic counting stats despite subpar efficiency, but there's still no chance of anyone catching Herro barring a major injury.

Most Improved Player

Preseason favorite: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+700)

Current favorite: Ja Morant (-450)

Ja Morant's breakout third season likely won't be enough for him to merit true MVP consideration, but this award would be a fine consolation for the Grizzlies' rising star. Entering the All-Star break, Morant ranked sixth in scoring (26.8) while averaging 6.9 assists and 5.8 rebounds - making him one of just two players in the NBA (Luka Doncic) to hit all three of those marks.

Does that mean Morant is the most improved? The jury is still out there, even with him priced as such a heavy favorite. Miles Bridges has gone from key role player to a 20 PPG scorer in one year, while young guards Darius Garland and Dejounte Murray have transformed their games since last season. Still, voters seem likely to land on Morant - if only to get him on their ballots somewhere.

Coach of the Year

Preseason favorite: Steve Nash (+850)

Current favorite: Monty Williams (-250)

It's hard to argue with the market here given the job Monty Williams has done to lead the Suns to the league's best record (48-10) after last year's crushing defeat in the NBA Finals. They've done so despite myriad injuries to key players - which could also be their undoing if Chris Paul (thumb) can't return before the postseason.

That leaves the door open for the Cavaliers' J.B. Bickerstaff or the Grizzlies' Taylor Finch, each of whom have far exceeded preseason expectations to lead suspect playoff teams to the top half of their respective conferences. The better bet at this point is Finch, whose team has a better record and higher net rating, but this is still a wide-open race if the Suns falter down the stretch.

C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at [email protected].