The NBA All-Star Game has gotten a makeover, and there is real optimism that fans could be in store for competitive, best-on-best basketball. The added international flair has upped the excitement, and the fight for an All-Star Game win and the All-Star Game MVP award will be fierce.
The All-Star Game MVP odds have been released, and there is an added benefit in locking in your NBA All-Star Game predictions sooner rather than later. The stage is set for a fantastic weekend of basketball, so let’s dive right in.
NBA All-Star Game MVP Odds
These NBA odds and lines take into account which sides are expected to emerge from the group stage, who will have the biggest impact, and which players’ styles are most likely to shine in the All-Star Game format. Here are the NBA All-Star Game MVP odds for all 24 participants.
- Victor Wembanyama, World, +600
- Luka Doncic, World, +1000
- Cade Cunningham, Stars, +1100
- Tyrese Maxey, Stars, +1300
- Kevin Durant, Stripes, +1400
- LeBron James, Stripes, +1400
- Jaylen Brown, Stripes, +1600
- Jalen Brunson, Stripes, +1600
- Nikola Jokic, World, +1700
- Anthony Edwards, Stars, +1800
- Donovan Mitchell, Stripes, +2000
- Jamal Murray, World, +2100
- Devin Booker, Stars, +2100
- Kawhi Leonard, Stripes, +2800
- Jalen Johnson, Stars, +2900
- Karl-Anthony Towns, World, +3400
- Pascal Siakam, World, +3400
- Deni Avdija, World, +4400
- Chet Holmgren, Stars, +4900
- Alperen Sengun, World, +4900
- Scottie Barnes, Stars, +5900
- Norman Powell, Stripes, +7900
- Jalen Duren, Stars, +7900
- Brandon Ingram, Stripes, +8900
Candidate Performance Trends
Since this is a brand-new format for the NBA All-Star Game, the criteria for All-Star Game MVP are also brand new. Each team will play two preliminary games before the final, and the All-Star Game MVP is supposed to be based on all three matchups equally.
In reality, a lackluster preliminary showing before an offensive explosion in the final matchup would likely win any player the NBA All-Star Game MVP award.
Role & Opportunity
Each team will feature eight players: five starters and three reserves. The action-packed 12-minute games will make every shot meaningful, and the NBA All-Star Game MVP award could be won on a handful of clutch shots.
The NBA All-Star Game MVP award has never gone to a player on the losing team, which means you will first need to select which team will advance and win the final game.
While the five starters will kick things off, we can expect a relatively even usage rate from all eight players on each team. Which All-Stars demand more of the basketball on the court will determine who gets the NBA All-Star Game award, as it would be a real surprise to see any participant get just a few minutes of court time.
Impact Metrics
There are a variety of impact metrics that will determine the recipient of this award. Most of these players are used to being the focal point of their NBA teams, and will have a very different role at the All-Star Game.
For example, every NBA team has a couple of spot-up three-point shooters, but that archetype of player rarely gets an All-Star nod due to low usage. That makes someone like Jalen Brunson (+1600), Jamal Murray (+2100), or Norman Powell (+7900) an underrated All-Star Game MVP pick to make.
If any of those three get hot from behind the arc, and their team goes on to win the All-Star Game, they could easily steal the MVP award from their teammates.
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Why Each Contender Could Win
Taking a look at the top two contenders from each team will give us a good idea of who could walk away with the All-Star Game MVP award. Winning the tournament is the most important part of the equation, and taking the live sports odds into account, these MVP candidates are the most likely to hoist the award.
Victor Wembanyama | World, +600
Victor Wembanyama is on track to become the face of the NBA, and showing off his talents at the NBA All-Star Game would be a great way to get him on track.
His monstrous 7’4 frame can create highlight reel plays, and his usual minutes restriction will not have an impact during the shortened matchups. His 2.7 blocks per game lead the league, and he is capable of making an impact on both ends of the court.
Luka Doncic | World, +1000
Luka Doncic has yet to taste NBA silverware, and his playstyle is perfect for the All-Star Game. Flashy stepbacks and a league-leading 32.8 PPG make him a prime candidate if Team World wins, and he outperforms Wembanyama.
Cade Cunningham | Stars, +1100
Cade Cunningham has quietly turned into one of the best players in the league. His Pistons lead the East; he can score, facilitate, rebound, and defend, and Team Stars is expected to reach the finals of this tournament.
Tyrese Maxey | Stars, +1300
Tyrese Maxey is as automatic a shooter as anyone can be. He is consistent behind the arc, he can generate his own offense, and his 2.0 steals per game is a career high. If the All-Star Game MVP voters are swayed by defense, Maxey is a real candidate to win the award.
Kevin Durant | Stripes, +1400
Kevin Durant is a pure scorer whose lengthy frame will allow him to shoot over the league’s best players. Durant won’t force up low-quality shots, and his lethal touch could be the difference with a small sample size.
If Team Stripes elects to put in maximum effort on both ends of the court, Durant could win All-Star Game MVP.
LeBron James | Stripes, +1400
Even though LeBron James is past his prime and not starting for Team Stripes, he is always a threat to win any MVP award available. LeBron’s lack of All-Star Game effort has been criticized in the past, but this new format may inject new life into his old legs.
Expert MVP Pick Summary
Before deciding who will be your All-Star Game MVP prediction, you must first decide who will win the tournament.
Team Stripes is full of veteran NBA players with nothing to play for, so the first expert NBA prediction is to avoid all eight of those listed players. When deciding between Team World and Team Stars, both have plenty going for them, and it will come down to which side puts in more effort this weekend.
Taking a stab with some longshots will also have more upside than usual, as the small sample size will ensure one hot hand could steal the award. All 24 players are capable of running their own offense, making long shots appealing options for that very reason.
