Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

2023-24 NBA Awards Odds: Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander In Tight Race For MVP

NBA Most Valuable Player Odds For 2023-24

PlayerTeamOdds
Nikola JokicDenver Nuggets-270
Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderOklahoma City Thunder+370
Luka DoncicDallas Mavericks+850
Giannis AntetokounpoMilwaukee Bucks+2000
Jayson TatumBoston Celtics+5500
Anthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves+16000

Odds as of March 15, 2024

Favorite: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (-270)

LeBron James winning MVP on four occasions across five seasons (2008-13) is the last time we saw a player take home the hardware as frequently as Jokic is seemingly on the verge of doing. 

The battle for the top seed in the Western Conference has been a tough one, but the reigning champion Denver Nuggets have been there every step of the way thanks in large part to Jokic's contributions. 

He's the only player in basketball averaging at least 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists per game.

Contender: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+330)

Voter fatigue may tilt some votes in favor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the driving force behind arguably the best story in basketball this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In fact, whichever team finishes higher than the other could ultimately dictate who takes home MVP honors. 

Previous 10 NBA MVP Winners  

Past 10 NBA MVP Winners
YearPlayerTeamOpening Odds (Pre-Season)Closing Ends (End of Regular Season)
2023Joel EmbiidPhiladelphia 76ers+600-201
2022Nikola JokicDenver Nuggets+1600-285
2021Nikola JokicDenver Nuggets+2500-8500
2020Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks+210-950
2019Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks+475-1100
2018James HardenHouston Rockets+1100+175
2017Russell WestbrookOklahoma City Thunder+200-700
2016Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors+650-400
2015Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors+1600-300
2014Kevin DurantOklahoma City Thunder+300-260

As we get further into the season, it’s natural for MVP odds to dip – over the past ten years, Nikola Jokic’s 2021 win represents the largest drop in odds, while Kevin Durant in 2014 represents the smallest. Sizable odds prior to the start of the season, even for the previous year’s winner, show us that wagering on the MVP early can have massive payoffs if you’re willing to take a risk.

Keep in mind that the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award is given to the player who is considered the best player in the league during the regular season – it does not take into account playoff performance or past season performances. The award is voted on by a panel of basketball writers after the season concludes.

Fun fact

James Harden is the only player on this list with odds higher than 2:1 by the end of the regular season.

Who has won the most NBA MVP awards?

Player# MVP Awards WonWinning Team of MVP
Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar6Milwaukee Bucks (3), Los Angeles Lakers (3)
Bill Russell5Boston Celtics
Michael Jordan5Chicago Bulls
Wilt Chamberlain4Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James4Cleveland Cavaliers (2), Miami Heat (2)
Moses Malone3Houston Rockets (2), Philadelphia 76ers (1)
Larry Bird3Boston Celtics
Magic Johnson3Los Angeles Lakers

It’s no surprise seeing Abdul-Jabbar’s name at the top of this list –one of the best players of all time, he dominated the league six times between two different squads, earning his rightful place as the most decorated MVP winner in the NBA. Tailing him, Bill Russell and Michael Jordan contributed five MVP wins within ten years each.

NBA Teams with the Most MVP Winners

Team# MVP Awards WonMost Recent Winner
Boston Celtics10Larry Bird (1986)
Los Angeles Lakers8Kobe Bryant (2008)
Philadelphia 76ers7Joel Embiid (2023)
Chicago Bulls6Derrick Rose (2011)
Milwaukee Bucks5Giannis Antetokounmpo (2020)
Houston Rockets4James Harden (2018)

Although Boston tops our list with 10 MVP winners throughout their history, they haven’t had a player earn the honor in over 30 years – Bill Russel contributes half of these honors alone. The Lakers are just behind their rivals with a star-studded cast of MVPs including Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neill and Magic Johnson.

NBA MVP Winners by Position

Position# MVP Awards Won
Center29
Point Guard11
Power Forward11
Small Forward9
Shooting Guard8

Centers are a favorite candidate for MVP, and it’s not hard to see why – inherent size and athleticism helps them create defensive shutdowns, secure rebounds and power through defenders on offense. 

In a role that allows excellence at all levels of the game, a star center can both completely stump the opponent’s offense and rack up points for their side of the board; this gives them heightened attention in the NBA media and promotes their case for MVP candidacy throughout the season.

NBA Rookie of the Year Odds For 2023-24

Oddsmakers have removed the ability to wager on the NBA's Rookie of the Year award with the numbers so astronomically high in the favor of Victor Wembanyama that it's no longer a competitive race.

Favorite: Victor Wembanyama 

Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren once had a claim to the hardware, but Wembanyama has created such a cataclysmic gap in this conversation that we're simply counting down the days until it's official.

The No. 1 overall pick leads first-year players in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks, and sits fifth in assists despite being a 7-foot-4 behemoth. The San Antonio Spurs sit in the basement of the Western Conference, but even that is not enough of a slight against Wembanyama to vote for anyone other than him.

Last 10 Rookie of the year Winners

Last 10 NBA ROTY Winners
YearPlayerTeamPositionOpening Odds (Pre-Season)
2023Paolo BancheroOrlando MagicF+200
2022Scottie BarnesToronto RaptorsF+1100
2021LaMelo BallCharlotte HornetsG+400
2020Ja MorantMemphis GrizzliesG+250
2019Luka DončićDallas MavericksF / G+250
2018Ben SimmonsPhiladelphia 76ersF / G+225
2017Malcolm BrogdonMilwaukee BucksGN/A (Unlisted)
2016Karl-Anthony TownsMinnesota TimberwolvesC+450
2015Andrew WigginsMinnesota TimberwolvesF / G+400
2014Michael Carter-WilliamsPhiladelphia 76ersG+1200

If name recognition wasn’t enough, just look to the odds to see how much these rookies dominated their arrival to the NBA – for futures, those odds are respectfully low. Greatness was never a question for this group of young ballers, most of whom have already cemented their standing as the top players on their respective teams.

Karl-Anthony Towns is the only player in the last 10 years to win the award unanimously, receiving every first-place vote – only four other players in the NBA accomplished that feat.

Fun Fact

Karl-Anthony Towns is the only player in the last 10 years to win the award unanimously, receiving every first-place vote – only four other players in the NBA accomplished that feat.

NBA Teams with the most ROTY Winners

Multi-ROTY award Winning Teams
Team# ROTY Awards WonMost Recent Winner
Golden State Warriors6Chris Webber (PF) - 1994
Sacramento Kings5Tyreke Evans (SF)
Los Angeles Clippers5Blake Griffin (C) - 2011
Portland Trail Blazers4Damian Lillard (PG) - 2013
Washington Wizards4Wes Unseld (C) - 1969

It’s been nearly thirty years since the Golden State Warriors had a Rookie of the Year on their roster, but they still sit at the top of our list – these five teams make up 34% of all ROTY awards. Impressive stuff!

Whether those orgs just got lucky with the quality of their newcomers or had a system geared towards setting up their young stars for success, any young NBA player would be happy to play with these squads.

NBA Teams that have never had a ROTY winner

  • Miami Heat

  • Denver Nuggets

I’m inclined to give the Heat a bit of a break - they joined the league in ‘88 and lost prime ROTY candidates to some excellent competition in Dwayne Wade vs. Lebron James (Won) and Michael Beasley vs. Kevin Durant (Won). 

The Nuggets don’t get off as easy. They’ve had some great first-round selections, like Dikembe Mutombo, but failed to secure a ROTY so far. I guess we’ll see who’s the last one left in a few years.

ROTY Betting Trends

Watching rookies develop and earn their spot in the NBA is always a thrill, but so is picking the cream of the crop out of every new bunch of ballers we get yearly. Here are a few common trends between past winners that you can look out for when making a futures bet on the ROTY winner.

  • Four of the past 10 ROTY winners were selected first overall, with every other player except Malcolm Brogdon (36th overall) being chosen in the top five picks.
  • Guards and forwards have been the favored position for ROTY winners – Karl-Anthony Towns was the last center to win, the first since Emeka Okafor in 2005.
  • With basketball’s international game opening up, four of the last ten winners have been from outside the US. Before them, Pau Gasol was the only international ROTY winner.

NBA Most improved Player of the year Odds For 2023-24

PlayerTeamOdds
Tyrese MaxeyPhiladelphia 76ers-180
Coby WhiteChicago Bulls+125
Jalen WilliamsOklahoma City Thunder+4000
Jonathan KumingaGolden State Warriors+7000

Odds as of March 18, 2024

Favorite: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (-180)

Tyrese Maxey was once the odds-on favorite at -830 with no real threat behind him, but that's no longer the case.

The one red flag here is that Maxey was becoming an exceptional player last season, and his numbers have only gone up in an expanded role. He still has the strongest odds for a reason, but the margin between him and Coby White is now razor-thin.

Contender: Coby White, Chicago Bulls (+180)

Maxey has White beat across the board statistically, but the leap White has made from last season to now is arguably larger than what the All-Star guard has accomplished with Joel Embiid missing a substantial amount of time.

White has more than doubled his scoring and nearly doubled his output in rebounding and assists. His minutes per game rank seventh overall across the Association, mind you, but White's performance has warranted such faith from the Chicago Bulls' coaching staff.

Last 10 Most Improved Player of the year Winners

YearPlayerTeamPositionOpening Odds (Pre-Season)
2023Lauri MarkkanenUtah JazzFN/A (Unlisted)
2022Ja MorantMemphis GrizzliesG+3000
2021Julius RandleNew York KnicksF+2000
2020Brandon IngramNew Orleans PelicansF+4000
2019Pascal SiakamToronto RaptorsFN/A (Unlisted)
2018Victor OladipoIndiana PacersG+2500
2017Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee BucksFN/A (Unlisted)
2016CJ McCollumPortland Trail BlazersGN/A (Unlisted)
2015Jimmy ButlerChicago BullsF / GN/A (Unlisted)
2014Goran DragićChicago BullsGN/A (Unlisted)

The NBA’s version of Most Improved doesn’t concern itself with “comeback” players who dealt with various issues and made a resurgence for their career – there used to be an award for that scenario, but it’s now defunct.

Instead, these ten players represent up-and-comers who made significant strides in their careers throughout one season, rocketing up in terms of skill and contributions to their team.

Fun Fact

Pascal Siakam is the only player to win a championship in the same season as receiving the award when he accomplished both in 2019.

NBA Teams with the Most MIPOY Winners

Multi-MIPOY award-Winning Teams
Team# MIPOY Awards WonMost Recent Winner
Indiana Pacers5Victor Oladipo (G) - 2018
Orlando Magic5Ryan Anderson (F) - 2012
Washington Wizards3Gheorghe Muresan (C) - 1996
Phoenix Suns3Goran Dragić (G) - 2014
Portland Trail Blazers3CJ McCollum (G) - 2016
Miami Heat2Isaac Austin (C) - 1997
Golden State Warriors2Monta Ellis (G) - 2007

What's in the water in Indiana and Orlando? Whatever it is, it's working for the two teams as they're tied with five MIPOY winners throughout their history. Count on these systems to take players and turn them into their best selves -- even if that doesn't mean a championship win, it's an impressive feat.

NBA Teams that have never had a MIPOY winner

  • Brooklyn Nets

  • Boston Celtics

  • Charlotte Hornets

  • Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Dallas Mavericks

  • Detroit Pistons

  • Los Angeles Lakers

  • Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Sacramento Kings

Not having a player win Most Improved isn’t a knock to any of these teams – a breakout can occur for any team across the NBA, even multiple years in a row. These squads just haven’t had a contender breakthrough to that prolific level yet, but it doesn’t mean it's not coming.

MIPOY Betting Trends

Most Improved Player is one of the most exciting yet ambiguous awards the NBA offers – you’re essentially predicting who’s going to reach stardom this season with no shortage of options. Luckily, there are a few patterns we can look at to select a solid futures bet and make our pick for Most Improved Player of the Year.

  • For 12 years straight, the winner has been a forward or a guard – only seven centers (three of them doubling as forwards) have won MIP.
  • Each year an Orlando Magic player won MIP, an Indiana Pacer player would win the following year. Oladipo snapped this weird trend in 2018, coming after Giannis’ 2017 win for the Bucks.
  • So far, no player has won the award twice, but never say never.
  • Nine out of the ten last MIP recipients averaged 20+ PPG, making it a good stat to benchmark for a rising star.

NBA Coach of the year Odds For 2023-24

The success of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves as two young, perhaps overachieving teams, have head coaches Mark Daigneault and Chris Finch with the best odds in the Coach of the Year race.

CoachTeamOdds
Mark DaigneaultOklahoma City Thunder+140
Chris FinchMinnesota Timberwolves+220
Tyronn LueLos Angeles Clippers+650
JB BickerstaffCleveland Cavaliers+1300
Rick CarlisleIndiana Pacers+1300
Joe MazzullaBoston Celtics+1900
Tom ThibodeauNew York Knicks+2000
Jamahl MosleyOrlando Magic+2500
Will HardyUtah Jazz+2500
Nick NursePhiladelphia 76ers+3000

Odds as of Feb. 5

Favorite: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder (+140)

The Thunder had long been a sexy pick to take that next step to greatness this season, but doubts still remained. Were they too young? Could a group without a real deep playoff run just all of a sudden become a true title contender?

Daigneault and company have answered those questions and then some. Oklahoma City is one of two teams with a top-six offense and defense, bolstered by the starpower and depth to make some real noise come April, May, and June. 

Favorite: Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves (+220)

Minnesota didn't undergo any monumental roster changes over the offseason, as the core of Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert remains intact.

Finch has taken that group and maximized its ceiling defensively by making his team the most feared unit on that side of the hardwood in basketball. In a conference as stacked as the West, the Timberwolves being one of the top two seeds has been a mainstay, and Finch deserves a world of credit for putting Minnesota back on the map. 

Last 10 Coach of the year Winners

YearPlayerTeamOpening Odds (Pre-Season)
2023Mike BrownSacramento Kings+8000
2022Monty WilliamsPhoenix Suns+1200
2021Tom ThibodeauNew York Knicks+8000
2020Nick NurseToronto Raptors+2000
2019Mike BudenholzerMilwaukee Bucks+1100
2018Dwayne CaseyToronto Raptors+3000
2017Mike D'AntoniHouston Rockets+3000
2016Steve KerrGolden State Warriors+575
2015Mike BudenholzerAtlanta Hawks+25000
2014Gregg PopovichSan Antonio Spurs+275

It’s great to see a host of different names for Coach of the Year over the last 10 seasons – there’s so much to celebrate on the court, but the staff behind the players make all our NBA dreams come true. Even with dynastic runs like Steve Kerr’s Warriors, the spotlight can go to anyone.

Mike Brown’s 2023 honor made him the first coach to win by unanimous decision, bringing an underdog Kings squad into the playoff conversation for the following year.

Fun Fact

Mike Brown’s 2023 honor made him the first coach to win by unanimous decision, bringing an underdog Kings squad into the playoff conversation for the following year.

NBA Teams with the most COTY Winners

Team# COTY Awards WonMost Recent Winner
Atlanta Hawks6Mike Budenholzer - 2015
Chicago Bulls4Tom Thibodeau - 2011
Boston Celtics3Bill Fitch - 1980
Los Angeles Lakers3Del Harris - 1995
San Antonio Spurs3Gregg Popovich - 2014
Golden State Warriors3Steve Kerr - 2016
Houston Rockets3Mike D'Antoni - 2017
Milwaukee Bucks3Mike Budenholzer - 2019
Toronto Raptors3Nick Nurse - 2020
New York Knicks3Tom Thibodeau - 2021
Phoenix Suns3Monty Williams - 2022
Sacramento Kings3Mike Brown - 2023

Earning Coach of the Year awards doesn’t necessarily correspond with winning - the Hawks won the Finals in 1958, but haven’t replicated that success since. These honors were either earned by taking an underdog and making them relevant (ex. Nick Nurse in 2020), establishing a dominant run (ex. Gregg Popovich and the Spurs), or by just being excellent opponents throughout the season.

NBA Players That Have Won Multiple COTY Awards

Player# COTY Awards WonYears Won / Team
Don Nelson31983, 1985 (Milwaukee Bucks), 1992 (Golden State Warriors)
Pat Riley31990 (Los Angeles Lakers), 1993 (New York Knicks), 1997 (Miami Heat)
Gregg Popovich32003, 2012, 2014 (San Antonio Spurs)
Gene Shue21969, 1982 (Baltimore / Washington Bullets*)
Bill Fitch21976 (Cleveland Cavaliers), 1980 (Boston Celtics)
Hubie Brown21978 (Atlanta Hawks), 2004 (Memphis Grizzlies)
Cotton Fitzsimmons21979 (Kansas City Kings*), 1989 (Phoenix Suns)
Mike D'Antoni22005 (Phoenix Suns), 2017 (Houston Rockets)
Mike Budenholzer22015 (Atlanta Hawks), 2019 (Milwaukee Bucks)
Tom Thibodeau22011 (Chicago Bulls), 2021 (New York Knicks)
Mike Brown22009 (Cleveland Cavaliers), 2023 (Sacramento Kings)

*Now the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings respectively.

There’s a ton to celebrate on this list, but the holy trinity of Nelson, Riley, and Coach Pop are hard to compare. Known as some of the most inspiring, intelligent, and winningest coaches in the history of the NBA, these men were innovators of the sport and caused opposing teams to completely rethink their game plans for years to come.

NBA Teams that have never had a COTY winner

  • Brooklyn Nets

  • Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Los Angeles Clippers

Looking at a list of coaches from these teams, it might just be bad luck they never got a nod. The Clippers and Nets both had Bill Fitch, and the T-Wolves had COTY winners like Dwayne Casey and Thom Thibodeau for a stint, but those seasons never corresponded with a win.

COTY Betting Trends

Betting on COTY asks you to take your NBA knowledge and bring it off the court, selecting a smart coach who’s bound to make an impression on the upcoming NBA season. With so many excellent teams and a load of dark horse competitors, turn to our COTY betting trends to see if you can find an edge for the next winner.

  • No COTY has won the award in consecutive years, making a back-to-back sweep very unlikely.
  • Doc Rivers (2000) is the only COTY whose team did not make the playoffs in the same year as the award – likewise, Johnny Kerr (1967) is the only coach whose team held a losing record in the same year as a COTY win.
  • Only five out of 40 COTY winners have gone on to win the NBA Championship in the same season as their award. The most recent was Coach Pop with the Spurs in 2014.

NBA Sixth man of the year Odds For 2023-24

Once the favorite to win his first NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, Austin Reaves has fallen completely out of contention as the Los Angeles Lakers promoted him to be a mainstay of the starting lineup. This has established a new contender in Dallas Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. as he sits atop the leaderboard, although Malik Monk is breathing down his neck. 

PlayerTeamOdds
Tim Hardaway Jr.Dallas Mavericks-115
Malik MonkSacramento Kings+250
Jordan ClarksonUtah Jazz+1100
Norman PowellLos Angeles Clippers+1300
Bennedict MathurinIndiana Pacers+2200
Bogdan BogdanovicAtlanta Hawks+2500
Caris LeVertCleveland Cavaliers+2500
Russell WestbrookLos Angeles Clippers+4000
Cam ThomasBrooklyn Nets+5000
Jonathan KumingaGolden State Warriors+5000

Odds as of Feb. 5

Favorite: Tim Hardaway Jr, Dallas Mavericks (-115)

He's the most valuable scorer on a roster in which a great deal of pressure is shouldered by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Hardaway Jr. currently sits fourth in scoring for second-unit players with three games this season of 30 points or more off the bench. 

Favorite: Malik Monk (+250)

The Sacramento Kings' high-octane, fast-paced offense benefits pure scorers like Monk, who's the fourth-leading points-getter on the league's 14th-ranked offense while sitting 11th in pace. 

Monk has closed many games for Sacramento, and even has a game-winner on his resume against the Golden State Warriors in a pivotal In-Season Tournament contest. His assist numbers as a bench player are far and away a career high, and his scoring is a respectable uptick from last season's totals. 

Last 10 Sixth Man of the year Winners

Last 10 NBA 6MOY Winners
YearPlayerTeamPositionOpening Odds (Pre-Season)
2023Malcolm BrogdonBoston CelticsSG+1100
2022Tyler HerroMiami HeatSG+1100
2021Jordan ClarksonUtah JazzSG+700
2020Montrezl HarrellLos Angeles ClippersC+1100
2019Lou WilliamsLos Angeles ClippersSG+300
2018Lou WilliamsLos Angeles ClippersSG+8000
2017Eric GordonHouston RocketsSGN/A (Unavailable)
2016Jamal CrawfordLos Angeles ClippersSGN/A (Unavailable)
2015Lou WilliamsToronto RaptorsSGN/A (Unavailable)
2014Jamal CrawfordLos Angeles ClippersSGN/A (Unavailable)

The 6th Man of the Year is one of the NBA’s more unique awards and can be a bit tough to explain, but the names on this list speak for themselves. You need the 6th man (your team’s first substitute) to hop off the bench with electricity and fill the gap of your starter with confidence.

The above players, especially Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford, were consistently fresh off the bench and brought as much punch as their starting five. An effective sixth man means you can wear down the other team faster and rotate your squad without fear. Not every substitute brings the same fire these previous award winners have.

NBA Teams with the most 6MOY Winners

Team# 6MOY Awards WonMost Recent Winner
Los Angeles Clippers5Montrezl Harrell (C) - 2020
Phoenix Suns4Leandro Barbosa (SG) - 2007
Boston Celtics4Malcolm Brogdon (SG) - 2023
Dallas Mavericks3Jason Terry (SG) - 2009
New York Knicks3J.R. Smith (SG) - 2013
Indiana Pacers2Detlef Schrempf (PF) - 1992
Philadelphia 76ers2Aaron McKie (SG) - 2001
Milwaukee Bucks2Ricky Pierce (SG) - 1990
Chicago Bulls2Ben Gordon (SG) - 2005

Ten years ago, the Clippers had zero 6th Man awards – now they’re the leaders, that’s insane! It’s an exceptional accomplishment that shows how a team’s culture can revolve around an emphasis on effort and “doing your job” well. The same is true for the other teams on this list, those that breed a culture of deep benches and clutch substitutes.

Fun Fact

The Los Angeles Clippers' five wins have all come in the last 10 seasons. Jamal Crawford (2014,16), Lou Williams (2018-19), and Montrezl Harrell (2020) all won the award as Clippers.

NBA Players That Have Won Multiple 6MOY Awards

Player# 6MOY Awards WonYears Won / Team
Lou Williams32015 (Toronto Raptors), 2018, 2019 (Los Angeles Clippers)
Jamal Crawford32010 (Atlanta Hawks), 2014, 2016 (Los Angeles Clippers)
Kevin McHale21984, 1985 (Boston Celtics)
Ricky Pierce21987, 1990 (Milwaukee Bucks)
Detlef Schrempf21991, 1992 (Indiana Pacers)

Although this segment is turning into “Clippers: The Article”, it can’t be disputed that their mid-2010 squad had some incredible performances off the bench. Of course, Williams and Crawford were already excellent in their own right, each securing a 6th Man title before joining the Clips.

NBA Teams that have never had a 6MOY winner

  • Brooklyn Nets

  • Denver Nuggets

  • New Orleans Pelicans

  • Washington Wizards

  • Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Golden State Warriors

Not much to say for our winless teams – whether it’s because of an evenly spread bench, star forwards that gobble up the spotlight (cough Golden State cough), or any number of reasons, we have seven teams with no 6th Man honors in the NBA. It’s a wide-open award though, and all it takes is one determined player to play his heart out when he gets his chance.

6MOY Betting Trends

Looking at potential 6MOY candidates, we’re already at an advantage because of how specific the category is – you can count out all the usual star players, and start to browse each team’s roster for deep threats. Here are a few helpful trends over the past years that can help you circle in on a potential futures bet for this award.

  • Repeat winners in the 6th Man category have been more common recently, as Lou Williams and Crawford won three awards in six years each.
  • Nine of the past ten winners have been shooting guards – only three centers and two point guards have won the award.
  • Lou Williams’ 2018 win is the only year in the past 10 that a 6MOY winner’s team has not made it through to the playoffs.
  • Only six out of forty-one 6MOY winners have been from outside the USA.

NBA Defensive Player of the year Odds For 2023-24

The NBA's Defensive Player of the Year is all but in the hands of Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, as oddsmakers feel we're simply counting down the days until he's honored.

PlayerTeamOdds
Rudy GobertMinnesota Timberwolves-910
O.G. AnunobyNew York Knicks+1000
Chet HolmgrenOklahoma City Thunder+2500
Anthony DavisLos Angeles Lakers+5000
Jarrett AllenCleveland Cavaliers+5000
Victor WembanyamaSan Antonio Spurs+5000
Bam AdebayoMiami Heat+8000
Derrick WhiteBoston Celtics+10000
Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis Grizzlies+12500
Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks+12500

Odds as of Feb. 5

Favorite: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (-910)

Another win for Gobert would make it four for his career, tying Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for the most ever. 

Gobert sits second in rebounding and eighth in rejections per game. He's taken firm control of the painted area, and rarely does the opposition get the better of him. Defense is Gobert's bread and butter, and he's once again displaying his mastery of that aspect of the game.

Favorite: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (+2500)

Multiple players have won NBA Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, but never before has a first-year player taken home Rookie of the Year along with the Hakeem Olajuwon trophy.

Holmgren isn't the favorite for the latter like he is for Rookie of the Year, but his contributions warrant strong consideration to make history. It would still take an injury to Gobert for Holmgren to make that a reality, though.

The 21-year-old is averaging 2.6 blocks per game (fourth in NBA) for the league's fourth-ranked defense. His length gives even the most skilled scorers something to think about, and his mobility to get out and guard quicker ball-handlers on the perimeter at his size and stature is something very few can match. 

Last 10 Defensive Player of the year Winners

YearPlayerTeamPositionOpening Odds (Pre-Season)
2023Jaren Jackson Jr.Memphis GrizzliesPF+2000
2022Marcus SmartBoston CelticsPG+4000
2021Rudy GobertUtah JazzC+300
2020Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee BucksPF+400
2019Rudy GobertUtah JazzC+163
2018Rudy GobertUtah JazzC+325
2017Draymond GreenGolden State WarriorsPF+550
2016Kahwi LeonardSan Antonio SpursSF+550
2015Kahwi LeonardSan Antonio SpursSFN/A (Unlisted)
2014Joakim NoahChicago BullsCN/A (Unavailable)

It’s Rudy Gobert’s world and we’re just living in it – in fact, Gobert and Leonard make up 50% of the past 10 winners. Leonard had to leave the Spurs to secure a title with the Raptors, contributing his usual brand of stellar defense, while Gobert is still hunting for his first trophy.

The incredible thing about this list is how much of a dual-threat most of these players are, with offensive skills to easily compete for MVP as well.

NBA Teams with the most DPOY Winners

Team# DPOY Awards WonMost Recent Winner
Detroit Pistons6Ben Wallace (C) - 2006
Utah Jazz5Rudy Gobert (C) - 2021
San Antonio Spurs4Kawhi Leonard (SF) - 2016
Milwaukee Bucks3Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF) - 2020
Orlando Magic3Dwight Howard (C) - 2011

The Pistons – or rather, Ben Wallace –  went on an absolute tear from 2002 to 2006, winning four DPOY awards during an era of gritty, tough-nosed shutdown D in Detroit. They’re backed up by two from Rodman in the 90s, and even the Jazz that follows them doesn’t have much variation, with Gobert contributing three titles.

NBA Players That Have Won Multiple DPOY Awards

Player# DPOY Awards WonYears Won / Team
Dikembe Mutombo41995 (Denver Nuggets), 1997, 1998 (Atlanta Hawks), 2001 (Philadelphia 76ers)
Malcolm Brogdon (BOS)+2502002, 2003, 2005, 2006 (Detroit Pistons)
Dwight Howard32009, 2010, 2011 (Orlando Magic)
Rudy Gobert32018, 2019, 2021 (Utah Jazz)
Sidney Moncrief21983, 1984 (Milwaukee Bucks)
Mark Eaton21985, 1989 (Utah Jazz)
Dennis Rodman21990, 1991 (Detroit Pistons)
Hakeem Olajuwon21993, 1994 (Houston Rockets)
Alonzo Mourning21999, 2000 (Miami Heat)
Kahwi Leonard22015, 2016 (San Antonio Spurs)

There’s a Drake lyric about Mutombo that I can’t type on here, but the essence of it is that players got rejected when they squared up against him. Both he and Ben Wallace emphasize a grinding, physically defensive ability that began to fade away from the NBA moving into the 2010s.

When these players are in the game, no shot is easy, no drive to the basket is without sacrifice, and plainly – other teams just hate playing against these guys.

NBA Teams that have never had a DPOY winner

  • Brooklyn Nets

  • Charlotte Hornets

  • Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Dallas Mavericks

  • Los Angeles Clippers

  • Minnesota Timberwolves

  • New Orleans Pelicans

  • Phoenix Suns

  • Portland Trail Blazers

  • Sacramento Kings

  • Toronto Raptors

  • Washington Wizards

It’s not to say there hasn’t been a defensive powerhouse on each of these teams at some point, but the NBA is a big league. Look at Shawn Marion on the Suns and the Mavs – excellent defender, contributed to a Finals win, just never got the right looks for DPOY.

These awards are subjective, and a case can be made for tens of players each year. Don’t worry guys, I’m sure next year is your moment.

DPOY Betting Trends

The DPOY award gets a decent amount of spotlight in the NBA, which has helped us find a few trends in previous winners. See below for some common threads between some of the best shot-blockers and lockdown defenders 

  • Being a bigger player helps DPOY chances immensely - from the past 10 years, seven of these winners have been centers or power forwards.
  • Opposite of the above, only eight players out of 41 have come from the perimeter, with only two point guards claiming two DPOY awards.
  • Back-to-back awards are fairly common – out of 41 winners, nine players earned DPOY for two years in a row, accounting for 43% of DPOY honors.
  • It doesn’t hurt to play on a good team! Every DPOY winner’s team has made the playoffs in the same year as their honor.

NBA Clutch Player of the year Odds For 2023-24

The NBA's Clutch Player of the Year award is entering its second year on the ballot, with Sacramento Kings All-Star De'Aaron Fox forever having the honor of being the first-ever recipient in 2023 when he beat out DeMar DeRozan and Jimmy Butler. 

Fox's name isn't at the forefront this time around, as "Dame Time" is on the clock with Damian Lillard the heavy favorite. 

PlayerTeamOdds
Damian LillardMilwaukee Bucks+195
Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderOklahoma City Thunder+210
Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors+450
LeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers+1600
Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks+1600
Jalen BrunsonNew York Knicks+2600
Kevin DurantPhoenix Suns+4000
Anthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves+6000
De'Aaron Fox Sacramento Kings+6000

Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets+6000

Odds as of Feb. 5

The award honors the player who "best comes through for his teammates in the clutch" during the regular season. The trophy is named after Los Angeles Lakers great Jerry West, who embodied those qualities to the fullest during his Hall-of-Fame career. 

Favorite: Damian Lillard (+195)

Lillard has built a career off of hitting massive shots in tight spots and being called upon to take over games at a moment's notice. It feels as though the award was designed exclusively for him.

He's 10th in the league in clutch scoring during moments when the score is within five points with under five minutes remaining in a fourth quarter or overtime. This includes a number of game winners and buzzer-beating shots for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Don't overthink this one.

How To Read NBA Awards Odds

When you visit your NBA betting site of choice, you’ll notice 2023-24 NBA MVP odds laid out like this:

  • Luka Doncic +450
  • Joel Embiid +650
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo +700
  • Nikola Jokic +1200

Unlike a moneyline bet where favorites are shown by the minus sign (-) and underdogs have a plus sign (+), the player with the lowest odds with the plus sign (+) is the fave. In this scenario, Luka Doncic is favored. If you were to bet $100 on Doncic in the NBA MVP betting odds and it hits, you would win $550 – your $100 is returned and you would get $450 in profit.

If you were to bet on which player will be named MVP, you would make a futures bet.

What Is A Futures Bet?

This is a bet made on events that will happen in time. In this case, it’s MVP. To make a futures bet you would first use the handicapping info on this page to make your decision. Our Odds Calculator can give you an idea of how much you’d win based on the MVP odds and the amount of money you bet.

For example, Embiid, last year’s MVP, is at +1200, giving him a 7.69 percent implied chance of winning the award. A $100 bet on Joker would pay out $1,300. 

Back to Top