When looking at the upcoming NBA season and the betting slate for each award, it’s hard not to fall for the simple traps. It’s easy to take the favorites, or your team’s best player, but this article is to help you find the best value at each award with their current odds. (All odds by bet365)
Most Valuable Player
Ja Morant +1400
Morant, the extremely hyped up prospect from the 2019 draft, really took the league by storm with his play last season. He won Most Improved Player while averaging 27.4 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 5.7 RPG. At just 23 years old, Ja is quickly becoming a fan favorite and marketed face for the league.
The case for Ja is simple, the stats will be there, but to go along with it he also provides the jaw dropping highlight reel plays that take over social media. seemingly every day he ends up on ESPN for some sort of highlight play. If the Grizzlies can find a spot in the top three, Ja has a real shot at MVP.
Rookie of the Year
Bennedict Mathurin +650
Drafted by Indiana with the sixth pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Mathurin comes into a situation that will allow him to play a ton of meaningful minutes early. A young Indiana team that is building for the future will have plenty of opportunities for Mathurin, who is a model build and player for today’s NBA.
Mathurin, who is a knockdown shooter, shot 38% on 5 attempts per game in his two seasons at Arizona. He is starting to turn some heads after averaging 20.3 PPG in the preseason. If Mathurin is close to that during the regular season, and has an impact on the defensive side, he is a great bet to win the ROY with odds, currently placed at +650.
Defensive Player of the Year
Mikal Bridges +1400
The Defensive Player of the Year award usually goes to the best defensive player who happens to be on the league’s best defensive team. The Suns have been a top ten team the last two seasons in Team Defensive Efficiency. In those two seasons, Mikal Bridges has been the standout defender on the team.
Bridges, who finished 2nd in the DPOY voting last season behind Marcus Smart, is one of the best wing defenders in basketball. He has been since he entered the league. Bridges averaged 1.2 SPG along with 0.5 BPG while playing all 82 games last season.
If he does that again or improves at all, and the voters stay away from the big man like they did last season, Mikal Bridges could be a great value to win DPOY at +1400.
Most Improved Player of the Year
Tyrese Maxey +2000
Maxey had a solid rookie season with 8 PPG on 46% shooting in limited minutes. He really made a leap during his sophomore season averaging 17.5 PPG and 4.3 APG on 49/43/87 shooting splits. Entering his 3rd season after averaging 20 PPG in just 18 MPG during the preseason, this could be the year we see Maxey become a focal point in the 76ers’ offense.
Alongside Harden and Embiid, defenses will have to take their chances on leaving Maxey alone at points throughout the game which could fuel huge games for the third year standout. With defenses focusing on the two stars, Maxey should become a focal point of the offense. Due to this, Maxey could easily surpass 20 PPG this season on the way to a Most Improved Player award.
Sixth Man of the Year
Malcolm Brogdon +1500
After three seasons with the Indiana Pacers where he averaged 18.9 PPG, 6.3 APG and 5.1 RPG on 45/35/87 shooting splits, Brogdon comes into an ideal situation with the Boston Celtics. Brogdon won’t be asked to do as much for the Celtics as he did with the Pacers, allowing him to focus on and excel at what he’s best at.
Brogdon is going to be tasked with running the 2nd unit when off the bench, and being a scoring plug. He will also be utilized for knocking down shots when he plays alongside the starters. Once a 50/40/90 guy, Brogdon excels at knocking down open threes, which he will see plenty of with defenses putting most of their attention on the Jays.
An offense that was atop the league in drive and kick opportunities last season will put Brogdon in the best spots for his talents. Along with the individual stats, Brogdon can also get an extra push for Sixth Man of the Year as the Celtics are a team that could finish with the best overall record in the league.
Coach of the Year
Mike Malone +1400
The Denver Nuggets have consistently been a playoff team in the Western Conference, thanks in part to their two time MVP Nikola Jokic. However this feels like the year they can break into the top spots in the Western conference. Over the last few years they have dealt with injuries to their other star players, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
Seemingly coming into the 2022-23 season back to full health, this could be one of the best offensive teams in the league. With a Western Conference that could see the Clippers and Warriors slip to due to injuries and off the court drama, Denver has a chance to maybe even steal the one seed. If that’s achievable, Malone will assuredly win this award.
