NBA awards betting: MVP, DPOY, ROY odds and picks

Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet

The NBA season tips off Tuesday with a doubleheader. Before the Celtics hang their 18th banner and the season officially begins, we're sifting through the awards markets, presenting the odds, and giving out our pick for each major award.

Remember, a player must play 65 games for award eligibility.

MVP odds

The contentious MVP races between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic are over. Embiid is missing the opening two games and won't play in back-to-backs, meaning he'll sit at least 65 games and disqualify himself for the award.

Jokic will likely fall victim to voter fatigue, a phenomenon where MVP voters get tired of awarding the same player the honor (even if he's deserving). Jokic has won three of the last four MVPs.

Victor Wembanyama has received more bets than any other candidate as bettors foolishly place tickets on the French sensation. His upcoming reign atop the NBA isn't as far away as his freakishly long reach, but the Spurs won't win enough games for Wembanyama to be in contention.

Luka Doncic has been knocking on the MVP doorstep. He's undoubtedly one of the league's best players and records historical stat lines, but he's never held the Michael Jordan Trophy despite finishing top-six in MVP voting three of the last four years.

The award is about narrative as much as statistics. Doncic, who's been deserving in the past and just carried his team on an impressive playoff run, fits the narrative. The Mavericks must win enough games - Dallas' record has impeded Doncic's MVP campaigns in the past - but the Western Conference champs made roster improvements that should help them build on their 50-win season. This is finally Doncic's year.

Pick: Luka Doncic +375

Rookie of the Year odds

While it might be tempting to find value down the board in a wide-open Rookie of the Year race, Zach Edey will have ample opportunity to put up numbers on a quality team as the Grizzlies' starting center. He had an exceptional preseason, averaging 12 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes while leading the NBA in post-ups.

Pick: Zach Edey +275

Defensive Player of the Year odds

Rudy Gobert captured his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award last season, but the public's perception of him somehow worsened. There were the viral moments of Doncic (and others) hunting Gobert off a switch to get him on an island and embarrass him in space, the takes from celebrity media members clowning him, and getting benched while with Team France at the Olympics. Even if Gobert's defensive metrics align with last year's on the league's best defense, it's unlikely Gobert will win.

Wembanyama finished second as a rookie and led the league in blocks while providing daunting rim protection. As the odds indicate, he'll likely win if he has similar defensive numbers on a better team. But there's no value in him as an overwhelming favorite when there's a chance he doesn't play 65 games.

Evan Mobley is worth a look as a versatile defender who can play the four and five while protecting the rim and switching onto perimeter scorers. He finished third in 2023 when the Cavaliers had the NBA's best defense, but he only played 50 games last season.

Pick: Evan Mobley +1200

Most Improved Player odds

Jonathan Kuminga must take a leap for the Warriors to make the playoffs. He increased his scoring average from 9.9 to 16.1 points per game - Golden State's third-leading scorer - while playing 26 minutes a night. Without Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry needs someone to step up in the scoring department, and Kuminga is the obvious choice.

The fourth-year forward should average at least 20 points with more minutes and scoring opportunities. His 3-point shooting has restricted his offensive repertoire, but his scoring output will skyrocket if he can improve his 32% shooting from deep.

Pick: Jonathan Kuminga +1100

Sixth Man of the Year odds

Could the Timberwolves have back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year winners? Naz Reid won it last year but played less than 25 minutes per game. Reid should play starter minutes after Karl-Anthony Towns' departure, so it's hard to see him repeating. However, Donte DiVincenzo, who was acquired in the Towns trade, will be a key bench piece for Minnesota.

DiVincenzo averaged 15.5 points on 40% 3-point shooting in less than 30 minutes per night with the Knicks last season. As one of the league's best shooters, he'll have a huge impact off the bench and help the Wolves increase their problematic 3-point volume.

Pick: Donte DiVincenzo +1200

Coach of the Year odds

The Coach of the Year award usually goes to someone whose team exceeds expectations, like Mark Daigneault with the Thunder last year or Mike Brown with the Kings the season prior.

That's why it's bizarre two-time winner Tom Thibodeau is the favorite when the Knicks have high expectations as one of the favorites to win the East.

If their stars stay healthy, the Cavs could earn a top seed in the conference. Kenny Atkinson has implemented a new offensive system that encourages Cleveland to play with pace. If he can unlock Mobley's offense, the Cavs will shock people in Atkinson's first year at the helm.

Pick: Kenny Atkinson +1800

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.