The NBA MVP award voting is an annual source of debate. LeBron James is a four-time NBA MVP and a perennial contender for the award. Kevin Durant won in 2013-14, and then joined Stephen Curry with the Golden State Warriors after the latter won back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2014-15 and in 2015-16. The wheel was finally broken in 2016-17 when Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double to earn his first MVP. Despite his historic numbers, there were some that still felt a closer look at the numbers revealed James Harden had the better case for the award. The MVP voting will undoubtedly be a source of debate this coming year so we decided to get a head start and forecast the likely favorites to earn the honor for this coming season. Here is a look at the favorites to win the 2017-18 NBA MVP award.
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Durant took less than the maximum amount of money he could have received this offseason in order to stick with the Warriors. Now he has the opportunity to put up ridiculous numbers while leading Golden State to the best record in the NBA in 2017-18. Durant’s numbers from last season would have warranted him MVP consideration if he didn’t miss all of March because of injury so if he can stay healthy this year he should be in the mix. Durant led the NBA in win shares per 48 minutes and delivered the most efficient shooting season of his career while playing defense at a high level last year. Now all eyes will be on K.D. to see what he has in store for an encore with Golden State this season.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron had finished in the top-three in NBA MVP voting eight years in a row before that run ended last season. Fast-forward to the 2017-18 season and there are plenty of reasons to expect he will be back in the mix. LeBron will be motivated after being left out of the top-three in voting as well as after losing to the Warriors in the NBA Finals. If the Cavaliers trade Kyrie Irving, it will give him even more motivation to be the man in Cleveland. LeBron will be on a mission heading in to his 15th NBA season and nobody will be surprised if he puts up MVP-worthy numbers in 2017-18.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Leonard is the only player to finish in the top-three in MVP voting in each of the past two seasons but he has never won the award. Widely considered the best two-way player in the association, Leonard elevated his offensive game to new heights last season while leading the way for the Spurs. The Western Conference is absolutely loaded and if Leonard can carry the load for San Antonio again in 2017-18 there is no doubt he will be in the mix for an MVP honor once again.
James Harden, Houston Rockets
It will be very interesting to see how Harden’s production fares following the addition of Chris Paul. Harden set career high’s in points, assists and rebounds per game a year ago while actually leading the NBA in helpers but it wasn’t enough to earn MVP honors. Now Paul figures to cut in to his numbers a little bit while putting Houston in a better position to contend for a championship. Harden is still a top-five MVP option but that could change if Paul stays healthy and plays a substantial role in the Rockets success this season.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Curry quietly put together one of the most dominant NBA Finals ever as he averaged 26.4 points, 9.4 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game. He had at least 25 points and 10 assists in three of those games, which is something only Michael Jordan has done before him on the Finals stage. Curry could play more competitive minutes in an improved Western Conference this season while challenging for the all-time record for three-point shots in a season. If he can produce at a historic pace while leading the Warriors to the best record in the West then he will be back in the mix as an MVP candidate this season.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook’s historic triple-double season was enough for him to earn MVP honors but there is no guarantee he can keep up the pace in 2017-18. Like Harden, Westbrook will have a lot more help this season with Paul George arriving in Oklahoma City this offseason. Westbrook will undoubtedly be motivated to repeat as MVP but it’s hard to imagine him topping what he did this past year. He simply won’t have to do as much to carry this team. However, the flip side of it is that if he has a very good season and the team does well, that will elevate his chances one again. The only question is how good the Thunder can be next season with George, Westbrook and the other renovations this team has made in the offseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo is entering his fifth NBA season and he could be primed for a massive statistical season in Milwuakee. The Greek Freak led the Bucks in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals last season and he could carry an improved roster to one of the better records in a relatively weaker Eastern Conference this season.
The Bucks roster hasn’t changed much in the offseason. They didn’t have much money to maneuver but they did manage to re-sign Tony Snell. Overall, though, this is a young roster that is going to get better as they grow together. Antetokounmpo is the centerpiece of a young team that’s on the rise. He’ll have the numbers but for him to be taken seriously, the Bucks will have to finish in the top three in the conference. If they’re a .500 side, they’re going to have a tough time making a case for The Greek Freak.
Antetokounmpo is ready to take another step forward this season and he could be an excellent sleeper option to win NBA MVP honors.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
