We are two months away from the start of the 2017/2018 NBA season, and the way things have been working out in the offseason so far - the NBA will be as entertaining as it gets next season. We've seen some major moves and roster changes this summer, and the landscape of the NBA has been changed drastically. Jimmy Butler is no longer with the Chicago Bulls as he joined the Timberwolves, while Gordon Hayward moved from Utah and joined the Celtics. James Harden's new teammate is Chris Paul as he was traded to the Rockets from the Clippers and Derrick Rose will play in Cleveland next season as he joined the Cavaliers.
With all of this being said, there's no doubt that next season in the NBA will be an exciting one to watch and Vegas bookmakers have already released their initial MVP odds for the 2017/2018 season.
Westbrook projected to win the award again
As we all well know, Russell Westbrook won the MVP award last season as he had an amazing and historic season. Westbrook finished the season averaging a triple-double, something that hadn't been done since the 1961/1962 season. He averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game last season and the bookmakers believe that he's the favorite to win the award again next season. Online betting website Bovada has given Westbrook a 7/2 chance to be the MVP for the 2017/2018 season.
It will be hard for Westbrook to play at the level he played at last season, especially considering the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Paul George this summer. Playing with another All-Star player will make things easier for Russell, but his individual numbers will surely go down in comparison to last season.
Durant the runner-up for MVP
According to the Bovada Sportsbook, Kevin Durant's chances of winning the MVP award next season stand at 9/2. Durant is coming of a championship season in which he averaged 25.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in 62 games for the Golden State Warriors. Durant shot 53 percent from the field last season and his numbers were even better in the playoffs.
He ended up winning the NBA Finals MVP award, as he averaged 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bookies believe that he will have another great season, and it will not be a surprise if Durant wins his second MVP award next year.
Leonard cracks the top 3
Kawhi Leonard rounds out the top three players in Bovada's MVP odds for next season. According to Bovada, Leonard's odds of winning the MVP next year are 13/2. Kawhi had a breakout 2016/2017 season, as he showed the world what he's capable of. He averaged a career-high 25.5 points per game last season, and also added 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on 48 percent shooting. He led his San Antonio Spurs to the second best record in the NBA before suffering a season-ending ancle injury in the Western Conference Finals.
Leonard will be the focal point on the Spurs again next season and we should expect his numbers to be even better. He is regarded as the best "two-way" player in today's NBA.
Here is the list of the top 10 players with the highest chances of winning the MVP next season, according to the Bovada Sportsbook:
1. Russell Westbrook: 7/2
2. Kevin Durant: 9/2
3. Kawhi Leonard: 13/2
4. LeBron James: 15/2
5. James Harden: 8/1
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 17/2
7. Stephen Curry: 11/1
8. Anthony Davis: 16/1
9. Paul George: 25/1
10. Chris Paul: 25/1
