Mcb777 APPNBA MVP Picks, Predictions 2022-23: International Players Lead the Charge Once Again

Nikola Jokic won the MVP award in each of the last two seasons, but he has just the fifth-best odds to win the award again in 2022-23. Check out our top NBA MVP picks and predictions below.

History isn’t on Joker’s side, as the last player to win three consecutive MVPs was Larry Bird when he did it from 1984-86. If Jokic doesn’t become the fourth player in NBA history to three-peat as MVP, who will take the mantle from him?

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is the betting favorite, while two-time winners Giannis Antetokumpo and Stephen Curry, back-to-back runner-up Joel Embiid, and 2014 MVP Kevin Durant are all in the mix. Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson round out a star-studded list of MVP hopefuls that features a healthy mix of established veterans and hungry young talent.

Here are some of the top MVP picks and predictions for the 2022-23 NBA season (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook).

Top 2022-23 NBA MVP Picks to Make: Favorites

Doncic, G, Mavericks (+425)

Doncic had arguably the best season of his young career in Year 4. He averaged 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.1 3-pointers per game and led his team to the Western Conference Finals. Dallas’ roster has never been among the most talented in the Association, and Luka guided his team past the first-place Phoenix Suns with some Herculean performances.

It’s no wonder the 23-year-old is the early favorite to win his first MVP award. If Dallas finishes as one of the top teams in the Western Conference standings, Doncic could extend the run of international winners to five straight seasons.

Antetokounmpo, F, Bucks (+600)

Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee Bucks in action during a friendly match between Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks at Etihad Arena within the preparations for NBA

The Greek Freak won the MVP award in 2019 and 2020, and he has the second-shortest odds to capture his third MVP this season. Over the last four seasons, Giannis has posted ridiculous averages of 28.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. That puts him squarely in the MVP conversation.

Milwaukee is one of the favorites to win the NBA championship this season, and the best player on a championship contender will always get MVP votes.

Embiid, C, 76ers (+650)

Embiid became the first center since Shaquille O’Neal to win the scoring crown last season. He also finished as the MVP runner-up in each of the last two seasons. If he and guard James Harden can find their groove, this Philadelphia 76ers team can be a dominant force in the Eastern Conference. Is it finally time for Embiid to capture the award that’s eluded him?

Durant, F, Nets (+800)

Durant is one of the best scorers of all time and despite his offseason shenanigans, he’ll be in the MVP conversation once again. Can Brooklyn make it work with Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons? If so, Durant will surely be the team’s best player and the one most likely to receive MVP votes.

Jokic, C, Nuggets (+900)

How can you count out a guy who just averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists? Jokic is a true unicorn thanks to his elite passing and ability to shoot from beyond the arc in addition to his pure scoring and rebounding skills. Jokic may take a step back statistically if guard Jamal Murray and forward Michael Porter Jr. can return to pre-injury form, but his talent is too tremendous to ignore when predicting the winner of the MVP award.

Tatum, F, Celtics (+1200)

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics warms up prior to Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images via AFP.

The 26-year-old Tatum may have a chip on his shoulder after falling short in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. If he can guide the Boston Celtics through another winning season after a tough Game 6 loss, a coaching change, and multiple teammate injuries in the offseason, he would be a clear MVP candidate.

We haven’t seen the best of Tatum yet, but it might be coming in 2022-23.

Curry, G, Warriors (+1200)

Golden State’s brand of unselfish basketball doesn’t lend itself too well to Curry winning a third MVP. I’m not betting on him to win the award.

Morant, G, Grizzlies (+1500)

Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies shocked the NBA last season with 56 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Can Morant make the leap from Most Improved Player to MVP in the span of just a single season? The only player in NBA history to win both awards is Antetokounmpo, who won his most recent MVP in 2019. Morant averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 boards last season. If he can post similar numbers with continued team success, he should be in the mix for MVP.

James, F, Lakers (+1800)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was phenomenal last season, but if he hopes to have any success beyond the regular season in Year 20, he’ll need plenty of help from his teammates. If James is forced to shoulder the load and put up video game numbers again, the Lakers likely won’t win many games. In either case, James is not winning a fifth MVP.

Top 2022-23 NBA MVP Picks to Make: Long Shots

Williamson, F, Pelicans (+3000)

Williamson missed most of his rookie season and all of last season due to injuries, but when fully healthy in 2020-21, the 2019 No. 1 pick was electric with averages of 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The New Orleans Pelicans made the playoffs last season after adding All-Star guard C.J. McCollum. Can a re-loaded Pelicans team turn heads in the West? If so, it will almost certainly be because of Zion’s stellar play.

Davis, C, Lakers (+6000)

Health has been a huge concern for Anthony Davis in recent seasons, but what if he’s able to stay on the court in 2022-23? The Lakers plan to run their offense through the big man this season, and if he can replicate the numbers he posted with the Pelicans, he could be back in the MVP conversation. From 2013-2019, Davis averaged 25.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per contest. Those are some valuable statistics.

Harden, G, 76ers (+7000)

Before Giannis and Joker each won the award in back-to-back seasons, Harden was the 2018 NBA MVP. He’s not going to average 30 points per game alongside Joel Embiid in Philly, but Harden still can be a triple-double threat and a quality scorer. After his trade to Philadelphia last season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 dimes, and 7.1 rebounds across 21 games. However, he fell miserably short in Games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals loss to the Miami Heat. Back for his first full season with the Sixers and reportedly in the best shape he’s been in years, Harden shouldn’t be written off as an MVP contender.

Mitchell, G, Cavaliers (+8000)

Donovan Mitchell, a two-time All-Star, will open the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers after a blockbuster offseason deal. If Mitchell is the best player on his team, and the Cavs finish as a top seed in the East, he would surely be in the MVP conversation.

Where to Bet on NBA MVP Picks

NBA MVP picks made on 10/10/2022 at 11:09 a.m.

Written By:
Zachary Hanshew

Zak Hanshew has been covering the NFL and NBA since 2018, writing about fantasy sports, daily fantasy sports, and sports betting. He joined Sportsbook Review for the 2022-23 NBA season and looks forward to his third NBA campaign. Zak has had bylines for over half a dozen publications, most notably Yahoo and NBA.com. As a sports writer, Zak has been recognized for his attention to detail and insight into NBA betting trends. Zak is an avid NBA bettor who loves a prop bet, particularly a favorable combo prop. Of particular interest in the betting space are long shots such as first-basket scorer, but nothing beats a triple-double prop. He loves to target plus-money props with educated and well-researched analysis to back up his picks. Zak holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from West Virginia University and roots avidly for his Mountaineers.