Nikola Jokic is seen by many as the best player in the NBA. He is the reigning NBA MVP and has won the award in three of the last four seasons. Jokic and the Denver Nuggets had a disappointing showing defending their title last year in the playoffs and are expected to enter the 2024-25 season hungry to prove themselves as the best in the West. Jokic’s MVP odds give him the second-shortest odds to win the award again this season and match LeBron James with four MVPs.
2024-25 NBA MVP Odds: Can Nikola Jokic Win A Fourth MVP
*All Nikola Jokic MVP odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook*
An All-Time Great and Not Done Yet
No one ever expected Jokic to be this good. The Nuggets famously drafted him 41st overall in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft during a Taco Bell commercial. Since then, he has won three regular season MVPs, been named All-NBA six times, and is widely considered the best passing big man of all-time.
How ALL TIME GREAT has Jokic been in his first 9 seasons?
The Joker is one of 5 players EVER in 1st 9yrs (RegSeason + Playoffs) to have
10,000+ Points
5,000+ Assists
5,000+ ReboundsThe other 4 are inarguably 4 of the GOAT LeBron James Larry Bird Magic Johnson Oscar Robertson. pic.twitter.com/l87XD5bNX2
— SportsComedyRap (@SuperDopeHipHop) March 10, 2024
Jokic’s brilliance brought the first-ever NBA championship to Denver in the 2022-23 season. He unanimously earned the Finals MVP, as Denver defeated the Miami Heat in five games. Jokic averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks in the NBA Finals and was the first player ever to lead an entire postseason in total points, rebounds, and assists. Jokic followed up his incredible postseason performance by picking up his third MVP award in four years in 2023-24.
Nikola Jokic MVP Winner, Again
Throughout the 2023-24 season, Jokić continued his dominance, racking up triple-doubles and setting new career milestones. He surpassed Jason Kidd and LeBron James on the all-time triple-double list and joined elite company with players like Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson. His consistent scoring and rebounding also made him the first player since Elgin Baylor in 1967 to start a season with 12 consecutive games of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds.
Jokic led the Nuggets as they tied for the best record in the Western Conference. He finished the season averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and nine assists. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Jokić was awarded the MVP for the third time in his career.
Can Jokic Win A Fourth?
Jokic’s MVP odds have him at +400 to win the award this season. His odds are the second-shortest after Luka Doncic. However, we aren’t sure taking him is the best NBA bet today. Jokic certainly has all the tools to win another MVP, but the narrative likely won’t be in his favor.
Nikola Jokić has been named the Kia NBA MVP for the third time, having previously earned the honor in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
The nine-year NBA veteran from Serbia is the ninth player to win three or more MVPs. pic.twitter.com/7WfS3RxOMP
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 8, 2024
Winning a fourth MVP this season would tie Jokic with the likes of LeBron James and Wilt Chamberlain. Jokic is not thought to be on the same level as LeBron or Wilt. He could have another incredible season, but the voters may be apprehensive to give him another MVP.
The narrative certainly won’t be easy for the Jokic MVP case to overcome, but neither will the circumstances. Jokic just played a summer of basketball, helping his home country, Serbia, get a bronze medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The extra mileage over the summer certainly won’t make winning another MVP any easier. Therefore, we believe there is better betting value with other 2024-25 NBA MVP candidates.
