Odds to Win WNBA MVP: Stewart, Wilson Co-Favorites

Stewart, Wilson Combined to Win 3 of Last 5 MVP Awards

Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson have combined to capture three of the WNBA’s last five Most Valuable Player awards. It makes sense, then, that they share the best odds to take home the award in 2023. Who else is in contention? With the season set to tip off on Friday, we break down the odds to win WNBA MVP.

THE FAVORITES

Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty (+250)

Stewart is now in New York after six seasons in Seattle, where she won two WNBA titles, was a two-time Finals MVP and a four-time All-Star. Last season, Stewart averaged a league-best 21.8 points per game to go with 7.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals.

Her talent is undisputed, and as the headliner of New York’s big offseason, the 28-year-old Stewart should make a serious run at her first MVP award since 2018.

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces (+250)

Wilson won her second MVP award in three years in 2022. She was also named Defensive Player of the Year, becoming just the fifth player in the league’s 26-year history to capture both honors in the same season. Oh, and she helped lead the Aces to their first WNBA title, a 3-1 series victory over the Connecticut Sun.

After averaging 19.5 points on 50.1% shooting, 9.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and a league-best 1.9 blocks, the former No. 1 overall pick looks poised for an encore performance. She’ll have an even better supporting cast, as the Aces added future Hall of Famer Candace Parker.

Las Vegas is a +110 favorite to win the WNBA title, ahead of New York (+140), the league’s other “superteam.”

Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces (+550)

Plum has the best odds to win WNBA MVP outside of Stewart and Wilson, and with good reason. The most accomplished scorer in NCAA women’s history, Plum is coming off a breakout season in which she averaged a career-high 20.2 points (second behind Stewart) on 46% shooting and made her first All-Star team. She led the WNBA with 3.1 3-pointers per game.

Like Wilson, Plum should benefit from playing with a loaded roster.

Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty (+700)

Ionescu fills up the stat sheet on a consistent basis. The former No. 1 overall pick made history in 2022, becoming the first WNBA player to record 500 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists in a single season. She already has three triple-doubles after recording an NCAA-record 26 at Oregon.

Now that she has a much stronger supporting cast in New York, Ionescu won’t have to do all of this on her own.

Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics (+700)

After missing most of two seasons with recurring back issues, Delle Donne had a strong return in 2022. She averaged 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over 27.8 minutes per game, reminding everyone of her capabilities when healthy.

If Delle Donne, a two-time MVP and six-time All-Star, can stay on the floor, the Mystics could very well challenge Las Vegas and New York atop the WNBA standings.

Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury (+750)

Griner missed all of last season while imprisoned in Russia on drug charges. She played well in her unofficial return to the WNBA, recording 10 points and three rebounds over 17 minutes in a 90-71 preseason loss to Los Angeles on May 12.

Will she show any rust after so much time away from basketball? Or will the eight-time All-Star be back — or close — to top form? It’ll make for plenty of intrigue on the WNBA schedule.

DARK HORSE CANDIDATES (+2000 or longer)

Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks (+2200)

Ogwumike remains one of the league’s steadiest and most reliable players. She averaged 18.1 points last season, the most since 2017 and the third-highest of her 11-year career.

Curt Miller is taking over as coach following a successful run in Connecticut, and should bring much-needed stability to the franchise.

Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings (+3000)

At 26 years old, Ogunbowale is one of the WNBA’s rising stars. She’s finished top 5 in scoring in each of her first four seasons, including averaging a league-best 22.8 points in 2020.

After losing Allisha Gray and Marina Mabrey this offseason, the Wings will go as far as Ogunbowale takes them.

Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty (+3300)

The 6-foot-6 Jones averaged 14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season, helping lead Connecticut to the WNBA Finals for the second time in four years. That came on the heels of her 2021 MVP campaign, in which she won her third rebounding title.

Now, following an offseason trade, Jones is joining forces with Stewart, Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot — hoping to bring one of the WNBA’s original franchises its first title. Jones should fit in seamlessly.

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury (+8000)

Taurasi is undoubtedly slowing down. Injuries limited her to 41 games from 2019-21. Still, it’s never wise to bet against the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, even at age 40.When healthy, Taurasi can still bring it on offense. There’s no question. She averaged a healthy 16.7 points last season, including becoming the first player aged 40 or over to deliver a 30-point game.

She should benefit from the return of Griner, who will take away some of the defensive focus.

For WNBA betting news, analysis and more, visit pointspreads.com

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