Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum is coming off of his best year as a professional. During the 2022-23 season, the former third-overall pick put up career highs in points (30.1), rebounds (8.8), and assists (4.6). He also was named First-Team All-NBA for the second year in a row, was named an NBA All-Star for a fourth consecutive time, and also won the NBA’s All-Star Game MVP.
The one feat that Tatum is still chasing, at least personally, is the MVP award.
Heading into 2023, he has a real chance to take home the trophy – at least according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Here’s a look at the odds:
Nikola Jokic +430
Luka Doncic +550
Giannis Antetokounmpo +600
Jayton Tatum +750
Joel Embiid +850
Heading into last season, Tatum was the consensus sixth-most likely player to win the award behind Doncic, Embiid, Antetokounmpo, Jokic, and Zion Williamson. He now enters the top five.
After the first month, and for about the entire first quarter of last year’s campaign, the forward had a stranglehold over the award, at least according to the odds. Tatum didn’t necessarily play himself out of the honor, but instead Joel Embiid simply went rogue down the stretch and ran away with it.
Tatum has improved upon his numbers season after season, but what his team hasn’t done yet is get over the championship hump. As I’m sure you all know, the Celtics fell into a 3-0 hole to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals before crawling all the way back and then to losing in seven games.
Boston has made an abundance of moves this offseason – most notably trading away Marcus Smart, Robert Williams. and Malcolm Brogdon while adding Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Not only will these added reinforcements potentially help the Celtics win banner 18, but could play an integral part in Tatum winning the MVP.
The play: Jayson Tatum +750. It’s worth the 7.5/1 odds.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.
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