The NBA Cup MVP odds are back as teams square off with high stakes and playoff-level intensity early in the 2025-26 season.
As teams battle for the midseason crown, stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson are eyeing more than just team glory. They are chasing the NBA Cup MVP award.
If the Thunder make a deep run in the NBA Cup tournament, expect SGA’s combination of scoring brilliance and leadership to anchor their success…
With last year’s breakout performances setting the stage, this year’s field is wide open, featuring elite scorers, rising stars and clutch playmakers all looking to make their mark.
Here is a look at the odds to win the NBA Cup MVP:
4.9
Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Offer applies automatically
Claim bonus
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
NBA Cup MVP odds favorites
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | +230 at FanDuel
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is the early favorite in NBA Cup MVP odds.
As the leader of the Thunder, the NBA Championship odds favorites, his poise, efficiency and two-way dominance make him a prime MVP candidate.
SGA, who is also the favorite in NBA MVP odds, thrives in high-pressure moments, using his elite midrange game and relentless drives to control tempo and close out wins.
If the Thunder make a deep run in the NBA Cup tournament, expect SGA’s combination of scoring brilliance and leadership to anchor their success.
Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers | +1200 at FanDuel
Donovan Mitchell has proven that he thrives when the stakes are highest, making him a natural contender in NBA Cup MVP odds.
As the engine of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mitchell’s blend of toughness, leadership and scoring fuels his team in high-intensity games, which is what the NBA Cup is all about.
His ability to dissect defenses, hit big shots and elevate teammates gives the Cavaliers a real shot at a deep tournament run.
If the Cavs reach the final stages of the NBA Cup, Mitchell’s poise and production could make him the defining star of the tournament.
NBA Cup MVP sleeper pick
Luka Doncic | Los Angeles Lakers | +1200 at FanDuel
Luka Doncic’s brilliance with the ball in his hands makes him a valuable NBA Cup MVP sleeper pick.
The Los Angeles Lakers star thrives in the spotlight with a rare mix of scoring, playmaking and clutch heroics, which is tailor-made for a short, high-stakes tournament.
With LeBron James being out with injury for the first few weeks of the tournament, Doncic could be asked to step into an even bigger role in the NBA Cup.
Doncic scored 44 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the first game of group play against the Memphis Grizzlies.
If the Lakers advance deep in the tournament, expect Doncic’s signature triple-doubles and late-game magic to make him the centerpiece of the NBA Cup.
4.9
Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Offer applies automatically
Claim bonus
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
NBA Cup MVP betting trends
This will be the third season of the NBA Cup. There have only been two previous winners of the NBA Cup MVP award – LeBron James (2023) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2024) of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Both MVP winners were on the winning team of the NBA Cup. So, if you are wagering on the NBA Cup MVP odds, consider betting on the star player of whichever team you think will outright win the NBA Cup.
How to read NBA Cup MVP odds
As an example, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at +185 odds, should he win the NBA Cup MVP, a bet of $100 would payout $285 with $185 being profit.
Larger odds for an NBA Cup MVP sleeper pick like Luka Doncic at +1200 odds would generate a profit of $1200 for a $100 wager.
NBA Cup MVP past winners
| Season |
Player |
Team |
| 2024 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo |
Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2023 |
LeBron James |
Los Angeles Lakers |
Want more insights on NBA betting markets?
Take a look at other Oddspedia Insights articles that give you everything you need in order to become a successful bettor.
NBA Cup MVP FAQs
Who has the best odds to win the NBA Cup MVP?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is the current favorite in NBA Cup MVP odds at +185. Other contenders in odds to win NBA Cup MVP include Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets).
Who votes for the NBA Cup MVP?
The winner of the NBA Cup MVP award is decided by a media panel. The inaugural tournament also had an online fan vote, but it is now just a media panel that selects the MVP. Selection is based on performance in the group play stage and knockout rounds.
When is the NBA Cup MVP announced?
The NBA Cup MVP is announced following the championship game of the NBA Cup. In the two previous editions of the NBA Cup, it was awarded to a player on the winning team – LeBron James in 2023 and Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2024.
When in the NBA Cup?
The NBA Cup starts on October 31, 2025, and it concludes on December 16, 2025. Each NBA team will play four group stage games, which will take place on October 31, November 7, November 14, November 21, November 25, November 26 and November 28. The quarterfinals will be played on December 9-10 with the semifinals on December 13 and the championship on December 16.
5
$1,500 First Bet Offer
Claim bonus
Place your first bet with the token applied. If your first bet loses, you'll get up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets. Add’l terms apply. Must be 21+ and located in U.S. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. BetMGM Sportsbook available in AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, NY, NC, PA, PR, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY only.
4.9
Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Offer applies automatically
Claim bonus
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
4.8
Bet $10 Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
Claim bonus
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. Bets restrictions and T&C's apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IN, KY, LA, MD, NC, NJ, OH, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only(18+ in KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IN/KY/LA (select parishes)/NC/NJ/OH/VA.