The NBA’s two biggest awards have turned into two-horse races. Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James battling for the MVP while this past draft’s first two picks, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, are vying for Rookie of the Year honors. But where do their odds currently sit in the futures market and who are bettors backing to take home the hardware?
After opening as a 3/1 favorite at William Hill, Antetokounmpo is now heavy -900 chalk to collect his second straight MVP. The Bucks’ 25-year-old superstar has drawn 27% of the total dollars wagered, the highest percentage of any player. He’s also attracted 9% of the total number of tickets, which is tied the fourth-highest mark with Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis.
Meanwhile, James is at 6/1 to capture his fifth MVP after the Lakers legend’s odds were first posted at 17/2. James has garnered 21% of the total number of tickets, the highest of any player, along with 18% of the total dollars wagered.
The only other player to receive a double-digit percentage in both total number of tickets and dollars wagered was the Mavericks’ second-year sensation Luka Doncic at 12% and 18% respectively. Doncic is tied for the third-lowest MVP odds at 12/1 with James Harden.
For the other award showdown, both Williamson and Morant have matched the hype in their dynamic debut campaigns, and are the only two players whose odds are still on the board for Rookie of the Year.
Williamson opened at -175, though his odds were as long as 15/1 while the Pelicans forward sat out for the first 44 games of the season due to a knee injury. Williamson has closed the gap at 13/5 odds, yet he still trails the -340 favorite Morant.
While Williamson has the upper hand on Morant in total number of tickets by a count of 63% to 37%, it’s the Grizzlies point guard who is leading the way in total dollars wagered (56% to 44%).
Check out William Hill’s updated MVP and Rookie of the Year odds below, currently available in Nevada, New Jersey and Indiana.
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