NBA MVP Race: DeMar DeRozan Enters the Conversation
DeMar DeRozan might not be close to MVP yet but he went from 250/1 to 40/1 in just this past month.
Matt O'Leary - November 17, 2021, 2:53 PM EST
4 minutesNBA MVP Race: DeMar DeRozan Enters the Conversation
DeMar DeRozan and MVP don’t usually go together. That’s not to say that DeRozan isn’t a good player, he’s a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA player but he hasn’t been someone who is brought up in the MVP conversation a whole lot.
When looking at his numbers this year, his points per game has dramatically increased compared to recent seasons. So far, DeRozan is averaging 26.9 points per game which if that pace holds would be the second-highest total of his career. For reference in his 13 year NBA career, he has averaged 20.3 points per game.
It’s his first year with the Chicago Bulls, and they have him playing small forward a position that he played two years ago with San Antonio. He was a shooting guard for the entirety of his career in Toronto before moving positions in San Antonio and Chicago.
NBA oddsmakers have noticed his improved play as his MVP odds have dramatically changed. He started this month at 250/1 odds and now in some places is being looked at as 40/1 to win the MVP Award this season.
Sure, it’ll be a steep climb for DeRozan who is well behind the heavyweights like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and others but it’s hard to ignore the fit in Chicago has been an excellent one.
NBA MVP ODDS
Name | Odds |
|---|---|
Stephen Curry | +250 |
Kevin Durant | +475 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo | +750 |
Luka Doncic | +800 |
Nikola Jokic | +850 |
Joel Embiid | +1800 |
Ja Morant | +2200 |
Jimmy Butler | +2800 |
Paul George | +3000 |
Anthony Davis | +3500 |
DeMar Derozan | +4000 |
James Harden | +4000 |
