LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic’s MVP odds are rising quickly this offseason thanks to a combination of a leaner physique and a lucrative contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to BetOnline.ag, Doncic’s odds to win the 2025-26 NBA MVP have improved from 7/1 to 7/2 (+350), putting him firmly among the top contenders for the league’s highest individual honor.
The movement comes after a two-part surge of betting interest. Initial buzz followed Doncic’s noticeably slimmer look on a recent magazine cover, which drew modest wagering activity. But it was his three-year extension with the Lakers last week that sent the betting markets into overdrive.
Bettors flooded sportsbooks with wagers following the deal, creating a ripple effect among other MVP favorites.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who opened as the favorite at 2/1, has seen his odds move to 5/2 (+250). Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has shifted from +225 to +260.
Doncic, 26, averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds in leading the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals before his blockbuster trade to Los Angeles earlier this year. His arrival has re-energized the Lakers’ title hopes and added intrigue to the MVP race.
Other top MVP candidates include Giannis Antetokounmpo (9/1), Anthony Edwards (11/1), and Victor Wembanyama (14/1).