Kawhi Leonard’s MVP Odds Fall to +1000 as Training Camp Opens

• Kawhi Leonard’s MVP odds sat at an average of +800 throughout the summer
• Clippers teammate Paul George is out until November
• Going into the 2019-20 season, Leonard says that his health will be handled differently

With training camp underway, and the start of the season just weeks away, many NBA teams are looking significantly different this year.

Former ‘King of the North’ Kawhi Leonard dawned a Los Angeles Clippers jersey for the first time during media day, and since the start of training camp, his odds to win the 2020 NBA MVP have lengthened.

The superstar’s odds were steady at an average of +800 throughout the summer, and now sit at +1000, behind a handful of former MVPs.

Odds to Win 2019-20 NBA MVP

*Odds taken 9/30/19 

Load Management?

Load Management. A term that seems to have been coined by Alex McKechnie of the Toronto Raptors last year when nursing Leonard back to 100%, and go from playing a total of nine games to, well, winning a championship. He did just that.

A year we will never forget. Thank you, @kawhileonard. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/NWN3wnIa62

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 6, 2019

Going into the 2019-20 season, Leonard says he’s feeling good, and that his playing time will be managed differently than last year.

“This time, I’m feeling good. I’m feeling way better than I was at the start of last season. There really was no plan laid out to discuss with everyone.” – Kawhi Leonard

But at the same time I’m sure we’ll being seeing Leonard rest more than anticipated. Players already complain about the 82 regular season games, and the length of the season, so when Leonard’s goal is the NBA Finals, and not personal accolades, we’re not going to see him play every night.

Because of that, his personal stats could suffer in what would ultimately be the MVP race. As we saw in Toronto, the team would rather lose some games in February and March and have him as close to 100% during the playoffs versus 75%.

The Paul George Effect

This summer was a bit of a whirlwind in the NBA in terms of free agency and trade. When Leonard announced he would be going to the Los Angeles Clippers, not many were surprised. But it was when fellow Californian, Paul George announced he would be joining him, that fans all over were shocked.

The duo now joins the club of unstoppable pairs in the NBA, or as Paul George sees it, the best.

"Elite on both ends, I don't see how you can beat that." 👀@Yg_Trece tells @Powell2daPeople how he and Kawhi are the best duo in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/I1ldirBrBI

— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 29, 2019

Fast forward a couple of months to the Clippers media day, where it’s confirmed that George wouldn’t be playing until ‘November-ish.’

Now, does this have any impact whatsoever on Leonard’s lengthening odds for MVP going into the season? It can’t be proven, but it’s safe to assume that having George on the court will open up more opportunity for Leonard to score, and find ways to navigate the floor.

Without George on the court, Leonard becomes a big target for the opposing defence.

The return date for Paul George is a bit of a moving target. But he told me today he’s out all of training camp and hoping to be back “November-ish” catch the full interview in @SportsCenter later today.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) September 29, 2019

Who Will Be MVP?

The 2020 season is going to be like no other we’ve seen before. It was an historic offseason, with a major power shift of stars throughout the league.

The odds that are listed above include many former MVPs, and basketball’s elite. There’s a handful of players who’s odds are better than Kawhi’s right now, and who’s haven’t lengthen recently.

It is really too early to tell, but this could be another James Harden year with Russell Westbrook to run and gun with, or Giannis could repeat.