Handicapping the MVP race

Vegas loves Luka, but Coach Thorpe has another star in mind

BY DAVID THORPE

Do a quick survey of popular sportsbooks today, and you’ll find Luka Dončić is the early favorite to win this year’s MVP. That news might rankle Joel Embiid, who has finished second in each of the past two seasons. MITCHELL LEFF/GETTY IMAGES

Rotowire has published a giant table combining the MVP odds of 64 different players—all the way down to Clint Capela! As we have written, the road to the NBA Finals has never been more congested. MVPs tend to come from contenders, so it makes sense that Vegas oddsmakers also have a wide array of candidates.

The top of the list got me thinking:

1. Luka Dončić 

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

3. Joel Embiid

4. Nikola Jokić

5. Kevin Durant

6. Stephen Curry

7. Ja Morant

8. Jayson Tatum

9. LeBron James

10. Kawhi Leonard

11. Devin Booker

12. Zion Williamson

13. Trae Young

14. Jimmy Butler

15. Anthony Davis

16. Karl-Anthony Towns

17. Damian Lillard

18. Anthony Edwards

19. Donovan Mitchell

20. Paul George

21. DeMar DeRozan

22. Kyrie Irving

23. Bradley Beal

24. LaMelo Ball

25. Pascal Siakam

26. Jaylen Brown

27. James Harden

28. Chris Paul

29. Brandon Ingram

30. Zach Lavine

My list would be a little different.