The 2024/2025 NBA season is ready for lift-off and it promises to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent history, with many teams in the league hoping to go all the way.
There are also many players hoping to take another step in their careers, vying for the most prestigious NBA awards.
With that in mind, I wanted to take an early look at the NBA awards odds and offers my thoughts on who could be the winners, at least when it comes to the regular season. So, let's take a look at my NBA awards predictions.
All odds in the article taken from Paddy Power and subject to change.
NBA Regular Season MVP odds
- Luka Doncic – 10/3
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 7/2
- Nikola Jokic – 4/1
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 15/2
- Anthony Edwards – 8/1
- Jayson Tatum – 11/1
- Jalen Brunson – 11/1
- Victor Wembanyama – 18/1
- Joel Embiid – 33/1
My pick: Luka Doncic @ 10/3
The bookies see the upcoming NBA season as being a three-man race for the MVP, with the main favourites being Doncic, SGA, and Jokic and I agree. Other players like Tatum, Brunson, and Edwards aren't quite at that level individually, Embiid will probably struggle to meet the criteria of games played once again, while it's still early for Wembanyama to win MVP, especially since the Spurs aren't likely to make the playoffs.
The Joker already has three MVPs to his name and many would argue that he should've had four, but with Denver losing KCP and failing to improve on their roster, it's likely that the Nuggets won't be top team in the West in the regular season. I believe that they have to be in order for Jokic to be considered again, even though I expect his individual stats to be worthy of another MVP, but team success and voter fatigue will likely take him out of the race.
The Thunder have arguably the best team in the West and SGA is coming off a great season, so he's a really strong candidate, but my vote of confidence goes to Luka. After leading the Mavs to the NBA Finals last season and with Dallas making strides to improve the team further, Doncic should have both individual stats and team performance to back his MVP campaign.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds
- Victor Wembanyama – 4/6
- Chet Holmgren – 10/1
- Bam Adebayo – 10/1
- Evan Mobley – 12/1
- Rudy Gobert – 16/1
- Jarren Jackson Jr – 22/1
My pick: Victor Wembanyama @ 4/6
The bookies have little doubt about this one and I agree with them. It seems somewhat disrespectful to see Gobert's odds at 16/1 considering he's the reigning winner, who was the Defensive Player of the Year four times, but we're entering Wemby's era and that is pretty clear.
After all, the French youngster was already in close contention for the award last year, in his rookie season, when he averaged 10.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and whopping 3.6 blocks per game. His numbers are bound to go up this season, at least a bit, so it's hard to see anyone beating Wembanyama for this award.
NBA Sixth Player of the Year odds
- Malik Monk – 6/1
- Benedict Mathurin – 9/1
- Caris LaVert – 11/1
- Naz Reid – 11/1
- Jaime Jaquez Jr – 12/1
- Donte DiVincenco – 13/1
- Bogdan Bogdanovic – 14/1
- Alex Caruso – 14/1
- Bobby Portis 14/1
- CJ McCollum – 14/1
My pick: Benedict Mathurin @ 14/1
This is a tough category, with many players in contention and no clear favourites. If I was sure that CJ McCollum won't start for the Pelicans, he would've been my pick most likely, but I can see him starting as a shooting guard next to Dejounte Murray.
So, I've decided to go with Mathurin. The Pacers have been quite impressive last season, reaching the final of the NBA Cup and the Eastern Conference Finals. While Mathurin's numbers slightly dipped compared to his rookie season, that can be chucked to him being injured for a while. I believe he can improve his numbers in his third season in the league and win the Sixth Man of the Year award.
NBA Most Improved Player odds
- Victor Wembanyama – 6/1
- Josh Giddey – 9/1
- Jonathan Kuminga – 10/1
- Jalen Johnson – 10/1
- Jalen Williams – 10/1
- Jalen Green – 13/1
- Evan Mobley – 16/1
- Franz Wagner – 22/1
My pick: Jalen Green @ 13/1
Once again we see Wemby as the main favourite, but given how great his rookie season was, he'd have to play at an MVP level in his sophomore season to be considered for this award, in my opinion.
My favourite is Jalen Green, whose points per game did drop a bit compared to his second season in the league, but he's field goal percentage was better and he had more rebounds. Also, his performances towards the end of the season showcased his true potential and I believe he can continue where he left off.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds
- Zach Edey – 11/4
- Zaccharie Risacher – 13/2
- Reed Sheppard – 15/2
- Stephon Castle – 9/1
- Alexandre Sarr – 9/1
- Matas Buzelis – 10/1
My pick: Zach Edey @ 11/4
Many would agree that this rookie class is one of the weakest in recent memory, but some of these youngsters will surprise us for sure. That being said, when it comes to Rookie of the Year award, I'd go with Zach Edey.
The sturdy center has plenty of experience since he's already 22 years old, he'll get the chance to start in a very good team that will battle for the playoffs, and while he might not have as much space as other rookies that play in bad teams, Edey has the quality to put up solid numbers for the Grizzlies from the very start.
NBA Coach of the Year odds
- Tom Thibodeau – 13/2
- Ime Udoka – 8/1
- Joe Mazzulla – 10/1
- Taylor Jenkins – 10/1
- Mike Budenholzer – 11/1
- Willie Green – 11/1
- Mark Daigneault – 18/1
My pick: Taylor Jenkins @ 10/1
This is another tough category, especially with the league being as competitive as ever. The reigning winner is OKC's Mark Daigneault after he clinched the top spot in the West last season, so he'll likely need the same result to be in contention this time around. Thibodeau, a two-time Coach of the Year, has a good chance to win the award if he can get the Knicks to the top of the Eastern Conference or at least get very close to the Celtics.
However, my pick is Taylor Jenkins, who has a chance to push Memphis Grizzlies to the playoffs after they missed it last season. With Ja Morant back from his injury, Desmond Bane and Jarret Jackson Jr. constantly improving, and Zack Edey added to the team, the Grizzlies are a dark horse this season and if Jenkins can coach them to a high playoff spot in the brutal Western Conference, he might win the award.
An avid sports fan and bettor, with a soft spot for basketball, tennis, and football. New to the MFT's unique community and very glad to be here.
