Welcome to BetFTW’s NBA MVP ladder for the 2023-2024 season. Down the regular-season stretch, we tracked where the wind was blowing for the biggest individual regular-season award in the league every week. Without further ado, here’s our final tracker update with the playoffs finally on the way.
The NBA regular season is finally (mercifully) over. That means we can start turning our attention to the play-in … hey, wait a minute! There’s still that whole MVP discussion to settle. That’s on me, dearest readers.
I don’t think there’s too much to pontificate about anymore. When odds with sportsbooks for the regular-season MVP closed, Nikola Jokic was a massive favorite, which was basically also the case for roughly two months to close the year. For all intents and purposes, the point center is a virtual lock to win his third MVP award in four seasons. And that sort of achievement will put him in very rare air.
You see, to this point, only eight NBA players have ever won MVP at least three times. The short list features: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (5), LeBron James (4), Wilt Chamberlain (4), Larry Bird (3), Magic Johnson (3), and Moses Malone (3). Eight whole names, folks. Barring an absolutely shocking turn of events, we’ll soon be able to add Jokic to this list that features the league’s second all-time leading scorer (Abdul-Jabbar), arguably the greatest players of all time (Jordan or James), and some of the most important and unique basketball talents ever (Chamberlain, Russell, Bird, Johnson, Malone).
Seriously, who would’ve thought that one day, Nikola Jokic might have as many MVPs as Bird and Johnson? And he’s still in the prime of his career. That should tell you everything you need to know.
What I’m trying to say is good luck fitting Jokic into all-time player conversations now. He firmly belongs there, and the likely three-time MVP should probably be higher ranked in these conversations than what the general consensus might believe. Why? Because Jokic is also one of the most important and unique basketball talents ever. Full stop.
Let’s take a final (unofficial voting) look at the NBA MVP’s race for this season and center on why Jokic deserves it more than his fellow superstars. Note: All official odds for MVP betting are not available at this time.
10
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 7
The Kings fell off a cliff to end the regular season, going just 4-6 in their last 10 games. Not all of that is Sabonis’ fault — we can blame respective injuries to Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter — but it does raise an important question. How valuable is Sabonis really? Is this Kings’ team destined to forever straddle the line between play-in and first-round exit? At the very least, the productive Sabonis finished this year extremely far from the MVP conversation, even if he warranted some mention.
9
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 10
The Suns’ late-season scheduled gauntlet of death was salvaged by two beatings of the Minnesota Timberwolves — a.k.a. two wins that got Phoenix out of the play-in and matched up with a flawed Minnesota squad in the first round. Booker’s steadiness in firming up the Suns as their de facto point guard shouldn’t go unnoticed.
8
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 9
While he’s clearly lost a step near his twilight years, Durant’s age-35 NBA season remained one of the most efficient shooting-wise of his entire career. Emboldened by their leader, the Suns could make some noise this spring. And it’ll only happen if Durant is making his requisite jump shots.
7
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 8
LeBron James is 39 years old and just finished his 21st NBA regular season. He averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds with an effective field goal percentage (EFG) of nearly 60 percent. Those are numbers mostly on par with his back-to-back MVP seasons for the Miami Heat over a decade ago. Just wow. Once again, James is 39 years old with 21 seasons under his belt. None of this is normal.
6
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Last week: 6
When (or if) Tatum learns to control the game like his peers near the top of the MVP discussion, then he can be a serious candidate for the award. Until then, the two-way forward should count himself lucky he’s on the postseason’s No. 1 overall seed and that he can focus on that mission.
5
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 5
Minnesota’s season ended with a whimper. Not only did the Timberwolves lose the West’s No. 1 seed, but they ended up falling all the way to No. 3 with some careless play near the finish line. But careless doesn’t describe Anthony Edwards, who was tasked with buoying the offensively-challenged Timberwolves for over a month without Karl-Anthony Towns. He did his job — Minnesota went a competent 13-7 without Towns. It could’ve been a lot worse.
4
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 4
Milwaukee’s internal strife combined with a late-season calf strain will likely define how we remember this past season from Antetokounmpo. That’s unfortunate, considering he was an absolute dynamo in the paint and on the glass for the better part of six months. Antetokounmpo leaves it on the floor every night like no one else. For the most part, the results usually benefit his Bucks in the win column.
3
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 3
Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental in helping the Thunder to a tie (tiebreakers to them) for their first No. 1 seed in over a decade. But if this was an MVP/standings race truly down to the finish, unlike most years, Gilgeous-Alexander should unfortunately be penalized for a glut of uninspiring performances down the stretch. Injuries came into play at the worst time for Gilgeous-Alexander, but part of being an MVP, especially in this uber-competitive race, is consistent availability and production.
2
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 2
The NBA’s scoring leader, Doncic is arguably the best offensive engine in NBA basketball on any given night. And with some key midseason trades, Dallas reinvented itself into a contender around a franchise player seemingly evolving into his final Goliath form. If I were an NBA team, Doncic would easily inspire the most fear. Well, aside from the top man on this list.
1
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Last week: 1
There’s nothing I can say any more about Nikola Jokic that wouldn’t sound like a broken record. As he nears his 30s, the Denver big man enjoyed arguably the most efficient season of his career. In a year where the reigning champion Nuggets had a target on their back, where his top running mate Jamal Murray missed 20-plus games, and where Denver worked two second-year players into its top-7 playoff rotation, Jokic was positively sublime. If not for a momentary lapse in focus, the Nuggets would’ve once again finished with the No. 1 seed in a beyond-intimidating Western Conference.
That is a massive testament to Jokic and his greatness, as he’ll now likely officially become one of the most decorated superstars in NBA history. If he can throw in another title and a Finals MVP later this June, then this regular-season honor will almost be like gravy for an icon.
