Betsided

DeMar DeRozan Severely Undervalued in Latest MVP Odds

By Matt De Saro

DeMar Derozan, along with the Chicago Bulls, is being undervalued in the betting futures market.
DeMar Derozan, along with the Chicago Bulls, is being undervalued in the betting futures market. / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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I start this article with a simple question. Why do the oddsmakers continue to disrespect the Chicago Bulls?

Last week I wrote a similar article positing the same question in relation to the Bulls’ odds to win the Eastern Conference. At the time, the Bulls were 21-10, second in the East and on a four-game winning streak. Even with all of that going for them, the Bulls were fifth behind the Sixers on the odds board despite leading them by six games. 

I bring this up only to put into context what is happening with the NBA MVP odds right now. Specifically, in reference to DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls.

Let’s take a look at the current NBA MVP odds as they stand at WynnBET Sportsbook: 

  • Stephen Curry +110
  • Kevin Durant +225
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo +800
  • Nikola Jokic +1100
  • Joel Embiid +3000
  • Luka Doncic +4500
  • LeBron James +4500
  • Rudy Gobert +5000
  • James Harden +5500
  • Jimmy Butler +5500
  • Trae Young +6000
  • Devin Booker +6000
  • Donovan Mitchell +6500
  • Paul George +7000
  • DeMar DeRozan +7000
  • Zach LaVine +7500
  • Ja Morant +8000
  • Chris Paul +8000

DeRozan is fifth in the NBA in points scored, 11th in PER at 24.15,  has back-to-back game-winners, and still, he is 15th on the odds board. At +7000 (bet $100 to win $7,000) odds, this feels like an oversight by the oddsmakers. DeRozan is not only in the top-5 in scoring, but he is leading a team that is currently first in the conference and the fourth-best record in the league.

One thing that could be holding him back is the fact that his teammate, Zach Lavine, is having a similarly impressive season with 26.3 PPG and comparative rebounding and assists numbers. 

Despite this, when you watch the Bulls play, it is clear that DeRozan is the main catalyst in Chicago and the big reason they are leading the Conference. Not to take anything away from Lavine, but the stats are not telling the whole story here.

Take, for example, DeRozan’s fourth-quarter scoring figures. DeRozan leads the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring with an average of 8.0 PPG and is shooting 53.8 percent from behind the arc. That is clutch play ladies and gentlemen. DeRozan is also shooting 87.8 percent from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter. 

While he may not the “as good” as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant on paper, he is doing as much for his team to help them win. And, considering the Bulls are ahead of both the Bucks and Nets, DeRozan is doing a better job than his competition. At +7000 he is definitely worth a look. Especially if the Bulls continue to win and lead the East for a significant period of time.

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