LeBron James 2022-23 MVP Odds Are Longest in Last 17 Seasons; Expectations Lowered for Lakers

LeBron James MVP Odds History

Odds via SportsOddsHistory.

Expectations are lower for LeBron James than they've been since his rookie year, at least according to the NBA MVP market.

With the Golden State Warriors crowned champions on Thursday, betting markets have already started looking toward the 2022-23 season. That includes MVP odds, where James is listed at +2200.

That gives James his longest odds since at least 2006-07, which is how far back SportsOddsHistory database goes. While unconfirmed, it's believed his odds were lower in both his second and third seasons when he finished 6th and 2nd in voting, respectively.

James is behind eight other players, which is also the most he's trailed since 2006.

The truth is James has been the favorite for the majority of his career.

For 13 consecutive seasons stretching from 2006 to 2019, James was either the favorite or second on the MVP oddsboard. He won the award four times: 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. He was the preseason favorite each time.

James played in just 56 games but was extremely valuable when he was on the court. He scored 30.3 points per game to go along with 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists.

However, the Lakers missed the playoffs as Anthony Davis was largely unavailable, James missed time and Russell Westbrook was ineffective.

Oddsmakers don't expect that flip to switch this year.

The Lakers are +2000 to win the title at DraftKings. Those are the longest title odds for a team LeBron is on since 2004-05 when the Cavaliers were +4000. Cleveland was +7500 in 2003-04, his rookie year.

Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid are the co-favorites at DraftKings with +550 odds.

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