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3 NBA MVP Candidates Not Named Steph Curry to Buy Low On

By Matt De Saro

There is a lot of value on the NBA MVP futures board from guys not name Steph Curry.
There is a lot of value on the NBA MVP futures board from guys not name Steph Curry. / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Steph Curry overtook Ray Allen for the NBA’s all-time leader in three-point shots made on Tuesday night against the New York Knicks.

The hype surrounding that accomplishment shot his MVP odds through the roof and he now holds a firm lead over the rest of the NBA’s superstars.

But, is the spike in favoritism just a byproduct of his historic night, or does he deserve to be that much of a favorite?

I am leaning towards the former. I think there are three guys on the odds board who present better value long-term than the flavor of the week that is Curry. Let’s review the current NBA MVP odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook and talk about three options not named Steph Curry to bet on.

 

  • Stephen Curry | +110
  • Kevin Durant |+275
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo | +600
  • Nikola Jokic | +1100
  • Luka Doncic | +2000
  • Joel Embiid | +2500
  • Jimmy Butler | +2500
  • Paul George | +3500
  • Trae Young | +4000
  • Damian Lillard | +4000
  • Donovan Mitchell | +4000
  • James Harden | +5000
  • Devin Booker | +5000
  • Jayson Tatum | +5000
  • Ja Morant | +5000
  • Rudy Gobert | +5000
  • LeBron James | +6000

Kevin Durant | +275

This is the most obvious “backup plan” for those looking to bet one of the preseason favorites. Unsurprisingly, Kevin Durant is again playing at an insane level and reminding us why he is one of the all-time greats. 

Durant currently leads the league in scoring with 29.6 points per game along with 7.8 boards and 5.8 assists per game. However, in the last few games, his scoring numbers have shot through the roof. In his last three-game, he has combined to score 116 points including a 51 point game against the Pistons. Curry meanwhile is fourth in scoring. This early in the season it could be a toss-up between these two. Therefore, it makes more sense to take KD with at these odds than Curry at +110.  

Rudy Gobert | +5000

The Big Man of the Utah Jazz has been one of the best overall defenders in recent years and is once again leading his team to victory The Jazz remains one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference for the first time in some time. Gobert is averaging 15.3 PPG and leads the league in rebounds with an average of 14.7 RPG. His PER is third in the NBA because of this at 26.11.

The next closest player to Gobert in terms of boards is Nikola Jokic at 13.6. He has been picking it up as well lately, scoring 20 points in both of his last two games and 17 the game before that. If he can move his scoring average closer to 20 PPG and maintain his rebounding numbers, we could see these odds shorten fast over the coming weeks. 

Demar DeRozan +7500

DeRozan is the go-to guy on the new-look Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have impressed me and many others so far this year coming out to a 17-10 start and currently sitting in second place in the Central Division. DeRozan is one of the major reasons for this. 

The veteran is currently sixth in the NBA in scoring at 26.4 PPG and is adding 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. His 24.45 PER number is the 14th best mark in the NBA. DeRozan also ranks high in three-point shooting and free thrown percentage.

DeRozan's odds took a hit due to him being put in the COVID-19 safety protocol but that just makes him a more valuable dark-horse. If DeRozan comes back and leads the Bulls to a postseason run, he will climb this ladder fast.

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