NBA MVP Odds 2019: LeBron James, Anthony Davis Top Betting Favorites

LeBron James has not won the NBA MVP award in five years, but Las Vegas bookmakers like his chances as he prepares for his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

James is the favorite to win the accolade in 2018-19. He's followed by New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to OddsShark:

• LeBron James (+333) (bet $100 to win $333)
• Anthony Davis (+450)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (+500)
• James Harden (+650)
• Kawhi Leonard (+950)
• Kevin Durant (+1000)
• Stephen Curry (+1200)
• Joel Embiid (+1500)
• Kyrie Irving (+1500)
• Russell Westbrook (+1600)

None of the names on that list are surprising, although the order may turn heads.

As for James, he may have four MVP awards, but he has arguments for several more. The main case against him has been he saves himself for postseason runs—as evidenced by his eight consecutive Finals appearances.

And yet, the 14-time All-Star had one of his best seasons in 2017-18, as he averaged 27.5 points, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds per contest. Not only that, but the 33-year-old also played a full 82-game slate for the first time.

If James puts more emphasis on the regular season and helps the Lakers end a five-year playoff drought, he will once again receive serious MVP consideration.

Meanwhile, both Davis (who finished third in the MVP voting a season ago) and Antetokounmpo (sixth) have been viewed as rising stars for a few years. However, neither has seen enough team success to win the award despite strong individual numbers. 

Reigning MVP James Harden will have to play even better if he wants to defend his crown. The 29-year-old ran away with the award last season by leading the league in scoring (30.4 points). He also garnered 8.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game while lifting the Houston Rockets (65-17) to the NBA's best record.

One year after winning his first MVP award when he became the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook was the first player to accomplish the feat twice. And yet, Westbrook finished fifth in voting. 

Two Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, are among the front-runners. Although Durant (once) and Curry (twice) have won the award, the fact that their team's lineup consists of five All-Stars will hurt their cases.

Durant also made headlines recently by telling 95.7 The Game that he doesn't believe he will get individual recognition again because people didn't like his decision to join the Warriors:

Meanwhile, Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard (+950) and San Antonio Spurs star DeMar DeRozan (+8000) each have strong odds after swapping teams.