LeBron’s NBA MVP Odds Falling Ahead of Training Camp; Is James Worthy of a Bet?

• LeBron James MVP odds have fallen ahead of the 2019-20 season
• James will be rested having not made the playoffs for just the second time in his career
• The Lakers improved supporting cast will allow LeBron to be more efficient

Believe it or not, the NBA season is almost upon us. The season begins in earnest in a little more than a month from now, on October 22, and training camp begins in just a couple weeks, at the end of September.

There have already been many debates and storylines about the upcoming NBA season, but one of the most intriguing among them is who will be the 2019-20 NBA MVP.

With an improved supporting cast and co-star Anthony Davis in purple and gold, LeBron James could be loading up for another MVP-level season, although his odds have dropped across leading sports books ahead of training camps beginning in a few weeks.

2019-20 NBA MVP Odds

*Odds taken 09/16/19

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning league MVP, is the odds on favorite to win the award again this season at +280. This is not a surprise, considering Antetokounmpo is only coming into his prime, which means it is likely he improves on last year’s performance, as great as it was.

Can King James Reclaim His Throne?

James currently sits at +952 at sportsbooks, behind studs like the aforementioned Greek Freak, Stephen Curry, James Harden and his teammate Anthony Davis. Over the past month, James’s average 2020 NBA MVP Odds have fallen from +700 to +790.

While the players ahead of James are solid contenders for the MVP award, James’s odds make him the best bet if you are looking to get serious bang for your buck.

James will be extremely motivated this season after the disastrous year in Lakerland last season.

Season 17 is about to be a movie. @KingJames is an ageless bully in those LeBron 17s ?
?: @klutchsports pic.twitter.com/YnpMp38ACY

— SoleCollector.com (@SoleCollector) September 8, 2019

LeBron is Primed For a Bounceback Season

Coming off of a season of incredible disappointment, James will be eager to prove that he has plenty left in the tank. Last season, he missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season, his second in the league. James also played a career low 55 games last season.

However, when he did play, he still averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists. James was easily a top five player in the league when he suited up. He did that with an injury-plagued and inexperienced supporting cast.

This season, things will be different.

James will be motivated to not only get back to the playoffs, but to win his fourth championship ring and take back his throne as the best player in the NBA.

This season James has a world class team around him, led by fellow MVP contender Davis. Many have argued that Davis could siphon away MVP votes from James if Davis has a great season, however, Davis’s presence and production will take pressure – both internal and defensive – off of James which should make him much more efficient.

"I believe Anthony Davis is the most talented player that LeBron James has ever played with. D-Wade may be more accomplished, but as far as just pure talent, can't touch him." — @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/MjebOJ48QP

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) September 3, 2019

Triple-Double Average a Possibility

Even if James’s scoring average dips a bit, his rebounding and assist numbers are likely to increase. Can you say, triple-double average?

Russell Westbrook has caused many MVP voters to devalue the triple-double over the last couple of years, partly because Westbrook’s teams have not had the level of success people expect from league MVP-led teams. If James were to average a triple-double while leading a top-of-the-standings team, it is hard to envision James not being named the 2020 MVP.

Moreover, if the Lakers are good enough to be one of the league’s elite teams this season and James has a great year, there will be no argument whose team the Lakers are, even if Davis also has a great year.

Thus, LeBron James at anywhere near +950 to win MVP is too good of a bet to pass up.