Since his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has played in just 85 regular-season games due to injury. He did not take the floor once this past season because of a fracture in his foot. However, bettors at Caesars Sportsbook are still crushing Zion to win the 2023 NBA MVP Award. Williamson opened at +6000 but is now +5500 — the only player with odds lower than +10000 to have seen an odds shift for MVP at the book.
Williamson put up MVP-caliber numbers i n his 61 games in the 2020-21 season. He averaged 27.0 points on 61.1 percent shooting along with 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Despite his injury history (even at Duke) and the fact has been heavier at times, the Pelicans signed him on July 6 – Williamson's birthday – to a five-year designated rookie max extension that could be worth up to $231 million.
That contract includes a weight clause. Williamson will have periodic weigh-ins throughout the course of the deal and if his weight plus body fat percentage is above 295, he could lose money. Zion was officially cleared to return to full basketball activities May 26.
In terms of MVP betting action at the book, Williamson ranks No. 1 in tickets sold at 18.1 percent and second in handle at 19 percent.