Joel Embiid followed up his dominant 2022-23 season MVP award with a disappointing year. Injuries sidelined him for most of the season, and he only ended up playing 39 total games in the regular season. This was the fewest games Embiid has played since his rookie season of 2016-17. This offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers signed the big man to a three-year, $192.9 million contract extension, solidifying their belief in him. The MVP odds of Embiid indicate he has a great chance to win another MVP, but different factors point to this being a tall task.
2024-25 NBA MVP Odds: Embiid Won’t Win Another
*All Joel Embiid MVP odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook*
JUST IN: Joel Embiid says he is signing a contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. The one-time NBA MVP will sign a three-year, $193 million maximum extension with the 76ers, with a player option in 2028-2029, sources tell @TheAthletic. pic.twitter.com/BzA0mUO8yc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 20, 2024
2024-25 NBA MVP Odds
The NBA preseason MVP odds are currently as follows:
Nikola Jokic +400
Joel Embiid +650
Anthony Edwards +1400
Jalen Brunson +1500
Victor Wembanyama +1800
Jayson Tatum +2700
Ja Morant +3000
Stephen Curry +4000
Embiid has the third-shortest odds to win the 2024-25 NBA MVP.Jokic is always a threat to win the award (he’s won three of the last four). Gilgeous-Alexander is a new face in the MVP conversation, but after last season’s surprise second-place finish, his odds are much deserved. Embiid’s MVP odds are a bit short in our opinion. Embiid’s health history and team situation will make winning a second award difficult.
An MVP Season Hangover
Embiid had badly wanted to win his first MVP. After finishing second two years in a row behind Jokic in the MVP voting, Embiid finally got his award. Embiid won the 2022-23 MVP over Jokic, but it may have cost him a playoff run. The push to finally win an MVP may have put too much strain on Embiid’s body, and he and the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
THE PROCESS WORKED
JOEL EMBIID IS YOUR NBA MVP pic.twitter.com/m8hzYqBDvO
— Life of a Philly Fan (@PhillyFanLife) May 2, 2023
Embiid followed that season by missing the majority of last year with knee injuries that plagued him all season long. He only played 39 total games, and the Sixers flamed out in the playoffs in the first round. Embiid still managed to average an incredible 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in the games he played.
Joel Embiid MVP Odds Are Too Short
This seems to be a pattern with Embiid. When he is healthy, there is no doubt he is a top-three basketball player in the world. The problem is health issues have plagued him his entire career and often in the playoffs. Embiid has never played 70 games in a season during his NBA career, and that inherently makes winning an MVP difficult.
A new rule stating that a player must reach a minimum game-played threshold of 65 to be eligible for major awards is certainly going to affect Embiid. He’s only accomplished the 65-game mark twice in his career.
Joel Embiid receives his first-ever Olympic gold medal for Team USA 🇺🇸 🥇 pic.twitter.com/Zwz3wvkjFa
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 10, 2024
On top of that, the addition of Paul George this offseason gives the Sixers team success over individual accomplishment-type goals. Embiid is also coming off an Olympic gold medal with Team USA, where he learned how to win at the highest level. Expect a great season from Embiid. However, entering the playoffs healthy and ready to compete for a championship should be his goal, not another MVP award.
