NBA Award Betting 2026/27: Best Bets In Pursuit Of Individual Glory This Basketball Season

Victor Wembanyama is the basketball betting favourite for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, and Sam Cox is here to preview the biggest Awards odds for William Hill News.

MVP Best Bet: Luka Dončić (6/1)

A preseason favourite for most of this decade, Luka Dončić only has one top three MVP finish. He has finished in the top eight in six of the last seven years.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be the victim of voter fatigue. Wembanyama won’t match Dončić’s gaudy scoring and playmaking numbers.

The Lakers have built a team around Dončić, getting him the centre he wanted, and adding shooting on the wings. A healthy Dončić could power the Lakers into the top four in the West while leading the league in scoring with big assist and rebounding numbers – that’s a strong argument for MVP.

DPOY Best Bet: Rudy Gobert (33/1)

There’s no point backing Wembanyama at 2/7, particularly with the 65-game threshold looming. The Thompson twins (Ausar 25/1 and Amen at 75/1) are tempting, and Chet Holmgren is the deserving second favourite at 10/1.

Rudy Gobert at 33/1 is the pick of the bunch, though. Gobert as good as guarantees a top 10 defence. It’s a greater task this year with the inconsistent defence of LaMelo Ball arriving, and that factor could push the narrative further in Gobert’s favour if Minnesota is an elite defence again.

Wembanyama will win this award if he plays enough games. Gobert will have a serious case if Wembanyama misses significant time.

MIP Best Bet: Kasparas Jakučionis (100/1)

Brandon Miller, Dylan Harper, Payton Pritchard, and Kel’el Ware make sense as Most Improved Player favourites. The nature of this award means candidates often come from further afield, and one such candidate is Ware’s teammate, Kasparas Jakučionis.

The opportunity should be there for Jakučionis to break out in a big way in his second season. Sophomores don’t often win this award, but the Lithuanian could be an exception if he gets a chance to run the Bucks’ offense.

The presence of Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., and Tyler Herro may limit Jakučionis’ usage, and that’s part of the reason he’s out at 100/1.

ROY Best Bet: Darius Acuff Jr. (12/1)

Darius Acuff Jr. led the SEC in scoring last season. He was a Consensus All-American, averaging 23.5 points and a conference-leading 6.4 assists.

It never feels great backing a King for individual honours, such is the franchise’s dysfunction. It should be a no-brainer to give Acuff the keys to the offence, though, which means plenty of usage and the opportunity for some eye-catching counting stats.

Acuff has a pick-and-roll partner in Domantas Sabonis and perimeter shooters in Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk. While the chances are that Sacramento won’t win many games, but the seventh overall pick is primed for a big year.

6MOY Best Bet: Dylan Harper (15/2)

The biggest threat to this bet is Dylan Harper becoming a starter. If he qualifies as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Harper should win this at a canter.

Last year’s second overall pick upped his scoring average in the playoffs and played 30+ minutes the final four games of the Finals. He’s clearly good enough to start for the Spurs, but San Antonio may opt to keep him coming off the bench to avoid unsettling De’Aaron Fox.

Averages of 16/6/5 are well within reach for Harper. Given his importance for a title contender, that would easily be enough to win this award.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*