Victor Wembanyama is kicking off the 2026-27 NBA season as the frontrunner for MVP, according to DraftKings Sportsbook odds. He is already pulling ahead of two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and it’s only October 17th.
Wemby vs. The Reigning Champ: The Early Favorites Are WILD
Can you believe Wemby is already leading the MVP charge with +205 odds? This kid is just different. Last year, he got so close to an NBA title, taking his Spurs all the way to the Finals before falling to the Knicks in five games. If he stays healthy, we’re talking about him likely winning Defensive Player of the Year for the *second year in a row*. And get this: only three players in NBA history, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, have ever won MVP and DPOY in the same season. Could Wemby join that elite club? You gotta be hyped to see it.
Then there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the man who’s won MVP the last two seasons, sitting at +380. He’s back in the running, obviously. In 2024-25, he put up a ridiculous 32.7 points on 51.9% shooting, and the Thunder had the best record in the league. Last season, he kept it up with 31.1 points on 55.3% shooting, and yep, the Thunder had the best record again. His formula is simple: score a ton of points and win. What’s gonna stop him from doing that for a third straight year?
Luka Dončić, now with the Lakers, is at +475. It’s wild to think he’s *never* finished even second in MVP voting! His best was third back in 2022-23 when he was still with the Mavericks. But last season, he led the entire NBA in scoring with 33.5 points, plus threw in 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds. Now that LeBron James is officially out of L.A. and the franchise belongs solely to Dončić, can he take those insane stats and elevate the Lakers to new heights? This is his chance.
Former MVPs and Huge Questions Mark The Rest Of The Pack
Nikola Jokić, at +650, is a three-time MVP winner. What’s even crazier is that for the last six years, he’s either won the award or finished second. Last season, he made history as the first player ever to lead the league in *both* rebounds (12.9) and assists (10.7), all while averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive season. Unbelievable, right? But the Nuggets finished third in the West and got bounced in the first round by a hobbled Wolves team. You gotta wonder if that early exit had an impact on his MVP candidacy.
Jayson Tatum, sitting at +1200, is finally the undisputed man in Boston after the Celtics shipped Jaylen Brown to the Sixers this offseason. This dude pulled off a miracle last season, playing in 16 regular season games and six playoff games after tearing his Achilles during the 2024-25 playoffs. What can a fully healthy Tatum do this season with the keys to the kingdom?
And then there’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, now with the Miami Heat at +1400. The Greek Freak, a two-time MVP in Milwaukee and one of only three players to win MVP and DPOY in the same season (2019-20), is in a new place. After playing in only 36 games last season and making just one playoff appearance in the past three years, he’s looking for a serious career revival down in South Beach.
This season is going to be absolutely bonkers. With Wemby poised for a historic year, SGA looking for a three-peat, and legends like Luka, Jokic, and Giannis all with huge chips on their shoulders, every game is gonna matter. Get ready, cause the MVP race is gonna be a dogfight from day one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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