Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Opens Up With Ninth Best MVP Odds

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's career took a turn towards stardom a season ago.

The Thunder star exploded onto the scene for the best season of his young career, averaging 31.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. He added 1.6 steals and a block on the defensive end, earning All NBA First Team honors. Now, he has the ninth best preseason odds to win MVP.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes in tied as the 9th favorite to win NBA MVP pic.twitter.com/vKFfxK0ZjG
— TF (@ThunderFocus) July 24, 2023

Gilgeous-Alexander’s ninth-best odds seem like a value bet, especially if SGA can come close to replicating what he did a season ago. The Thunder’s ceiling as a team is exponentially higher with Chet Holmgren back into the fold and another lottery prospect in the occasion. If Oklahoma City makes a regular season run, securing a solid record and a playoff berth, Gilgeous-Alexander’s chances at major awards only go up. Last season, his statistic dominance was good for fifth overall in MVP voting.

Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP, has +700 odds, while Nikola Jokic is the odds on favorite with +430 odds. Jokic is coming off an unbelievable Finals run where he led Denver to a championship on historic efficiency.

Before the start of last season, Gilgeous-Alexander was nowhere to be found on preseason MVP odds lists. Fans thought he had a chance at the NBA’s Most Improved Player, but not at the MVP award. Like Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City also exceeded expectations as a team a season ago. The Thunder were projected to win just 23.5 games and ended up with an impressive 40 wins and a play-in victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Like Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s preseason odds took a massive leap. A year ago, Oklahoma City opened up with +50,000 odds to win the NBA Finals. With SGA’s rise and Holmgren’s addition, the Thunder’s 2023-24 preseason odds are at +8500.

The NBA community is finally taking notice of the young squad, and Oklahoma City’s expectations are trending up. Gilgeous-Alexander can beat the odds once again with another season of 30+ points per game and a playoff appearance for the Thunder.

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