The NBA awards markets are vast, with some having a ton of candidates to choose from.
Handicapping awards is challenging because the thought process is almost too simple sometimes, but there is value in these markets if you dig deep enough.
Here are my top three candidates for each award and the best price on each.
Most Valuable Player
Jayson Tatum (13-1, FanDuel)
It’s a simple handicap here: Tatum could be the best player on the best team in the league. The Celtics have the highest win total on the board, and if they are going to live up to those expectations, it will be because Tatum builds on his final 40 games in which he averaged 28.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists on 48.6% shooting while playing phenomenal defense.
Trae Young (40-1, widely available)
Young was incredible last season, averaging 28.4 points and 9.7 assists on 46.0% shooting, and he did it as the Hawks’ only dominant shot creator and scorer. Dejounte Murray is now in Atlanta, and while some might view that as a negative, they shouldn’t. Murray being on the ball means more shooting opportunities for Young and the ability to pump up his points per game average.