If sportsbooks are right, the 2022 WNBA season will be remarkable for one of its brightest stars. That’s a fate prognosticated by the latest A’ja Wilson MVP futures on legal sports betting apps in North America.
Wilson would become just the sixth player in WNBA history to win its regular-season Most Valuable Player award in multiple seasons. A look at the rest of the field presents some stiff competition, however.
A’ja Wilson MVP odds lead the pack
Currently, several legal Canadian and US sportsbooks have 2022 WNBA MVP futures live. Those include:
Wilson shortlists all those markets. FanDuel has her +310 while the other three books all slot her odds at +250. 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones and 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart have the second- and third-shortest odds, respectively.
From there, the books diverge on candidates as well as odds. FanDuel has Arike Ogunbowale followed by 2015/2019 MVP Elena Delle Donne to round out its top five. Meanwhile, the other three books feature 2012 MVP Tina Charles and then Ogunbowale.
Is taking the short odds on Wilson the prudent move or is there another contender in the market to consider? The answer to that question can be greatly subjective.
Looking further down the markets
Last year, Jones sat +1200 before the 2021 season began to win the MVP award. She then led her team to the best regular-season record in the WNBA as she averaged a double-double with 19.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.
Among players possibly poised to mimic those results from the same range is Sabrina Ionescu. The New York Liberty‘s point guard is not only healthy herself but finally has the cast around her of Natasha Howard and Betnijah Laney in good health as well.
What’s more, New York’s new head coach Sandy Brondello aims to employ a scheme that should optimize Ionescu’s ability to distribute and score. With the addition of versatile big Stef Dolson as well, the +2000 odds on Ionescu could appeal to many.
Another player with similar odds is Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper. After taking her game to another level during the 2021 playoffs to win Finals MVP, Copper went to Spain during the WNBA offseason and won the EuroLeague MVP. BetRivers has Copper +2000 as well.
When considering these betting opportunities, responsible gambling is just as pivotal as when placing any other bet. Actually, there are some unique considerations for these circumstances.
Things to think about
Betting on futures can be the greatest of gambles because of the number of things that have to go exactly right for the desired outcome to occur. That goes for individual player awards as much as team championship futures.
Obviously, the player you stake needs to stay healthy. In the WNBA, she also needs to play for a team that has a strong regular season record. That isn’t in the rules but the history of the award shows voters favor players on teams that win the vast majority of their games.
A big part of that depends on the cast around the player, then. If you’re counting on Ionescu on this bet, for instance, you’ll likely need her to rack up the assists this season. Naturally, that depends on not only her passing but her teammates converting those connections into points.
Then there’s the consideration of futures bets tying up part of your bankroll for months. The sportsbooks won’t settle these bets until the league announces the winner this fall. Make sure you account for that in your budgeting.
When you play responsibly, hitting these markets correctly can be a thrill. Right now, A’ja Wilson is sportsbooks’ favorite to make bets of this kind pay out.
