Shai leaps Doncic as MVP favorite, Tatum's hot start earning attention

Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander slid past Luka Doncic as the MVP favorite, marking the first time in the Thunder guard's career that he's listed at the top of the oddsboard.

Doncic entered the season as the MVP favorite, while Gilgeous-Alexander had the second-best odds after finishing as the runner-up behind Nikola Jokic last season.

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 26 points and six assists through four games while leading one of two undefeated teams and the favorite to win the West. The Thunder, who earned the West's No. 1 seed last year after missing the playoffs the season prior, have the NBA's third-best net rating and are a perfect 4-0.

Meanwhile, the Mavs are an even greater threat than they were last season after the addition of Klay Thompson, but Doncic isn't recording noteworthy stat lines. The Slovenian is averaging 27.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, but he's shooting just 29% from three, and the Mavs are 3-2.

The Mavs' success could determine the winner if this remains a two-horse race between Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander. The former has been in a position to win MVP in the past, but his team didn't win enough regular-season games to earn him the distinction.

Only twice in the last 20 years has the winner come from a team below a top-three seed in its conference. This is the best supporting cast the seven-year veteran has played with, so the franchise should finish toward the top of the West standings.

Doncic averaged 33.9 points per game last season and upward of nine assists and nine rebounds. He'll almost certainly return to contention for the scoring crown, but his numbers could dip with more reliable teammates sharing the workload.

Jokic is unlikely to win MVP for two reasons - voters will be reluctant to give him the honor after he won in three of the last four years, and the Nuggets don't look like they'll be near the top of the West standings after a few ugly early-season showings.

As expected, this will be a battle between Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander as they each try to secure their first MVP.

Here's how the rest of the MVP board shakes out:

Jayson Tatum's odds shortened dramatically amid a tremendous start to the season. He's fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 30 points per game. The Celtics, meanwhile, are 4-1 and look as dominant offensively as they were last season.

Tatum opened at +1500 to win MVP (seventh-best odds) but dropped to +500 after five games. He sacrificed individual accolades and outstanding statistical outputs for team success on the NBA's deepest team last season, which resulted in a championship. He's on a mission to prove his worth.

Bettors are taking notice. Tatum is the most bet player to win MVP at ESPN Bet and theScore Bet, while Doncic is attracting the second-most tickets.

Anthony Davis shot up the oddsboard after the Lakers started 3-0. LeBron James passed the baton to Davis as the Lakers' best player and offensive hub, and it's paying dividends. JJ Redick's system has Davis being used in a way he wasn't last year and that unlocks his offensive skillset. Davis is third in the NBA in scoring, averaging 30.6 points per game. Consistency and health have plagued Davis' career, but he could be in the MVP mix if this production continues.

It's never too early to start thinking about MVP as the board shuffles amid the ebbs and flows of an NBA season.

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