After knocking off the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs are set to take on the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals. The Knicks are coming off back-to-back sweeps over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers, so they’re rolling as well.
It’s a series that has no shortage of stars, including Victor Wembayama, Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns. There are also complementary players with a high upside, like Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and OG Anunoby.
With that in mind, there are plenty of options to choose from for NBA Finals MVP, whether you’re looking at favorites, sleepers, or longshot picks. Let’s break it down from the best offshore sportsbooks.
2026 NBA Finals MVP Odds
- Victor Wembanyama, Spurs (-180)
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks (+230)
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks (+1600)
- OG Anunoby, Knicks (+2500)
- Stephon Castle, Spurs (+3300)
- De’Aaron Fox, Spurs (+10000)
- Josh Hart, Knicks (+12500)
- Mikal Bridges, Knicks (+15000)
- Dylan Harper, Spurs (+15000)
- Devin Vassell, Spurs (+25000)
- Keldon Johnson, Spurs (+75000)
It’s no surprise to see Wembanyama as the heavy favorite. He’s the best player in this series, and the Spurs are favored to win. Since the NBA Finals MVP goes to the most impactful player on the winning team, this makes sense.
The same goes for the high price on Jalen Brunson. He’s the catalyst for the Knicks, so seeing him with the shortest odds among their players is expected.
There’s some value on Karl-Anthony Towns (+1600), OG Anunoby (+2500), and Stephon Castle (+3300), in case you think Wemby and Brunson get slowed down by opposing defenses. Beyond that, it’s hard to see any of the long shots having a chance to win this award.
2026 NBA Finals MVP Favorites
Both Wembanyama and Brunson are in their own tiers as favorites for NBA Finals MVP.
Victor Wembanyama (-180)
It’s never ideal laying juice in an MVP market, but Victor Wembanyama is the obvious favorite for a reason.
The Spurs superstar has been the driving force behind San Antonio’s playoff run, averaging 23.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game while anchoring one of the league’s best defenses. Beyond the box score, Wembanyama impacts every possession with his rim protection, versatility, and ability to completely alter opposing game plans.
What makes his case even stronger is that Finals MVP voters almost always gravitate toward the best player on the winning team. If San Antonio captures the championship, it’s difficult to envision a scenario where Wembanyama isn’t at the center of that success. He leads the Spurs in scoring, controls the glass, and remains their most important defensive player.
The matchup also works in his favor. New York does not have an ideal answer for Wembanyama’s size, length, and skill, which should allow him to stuff the stat sheet throughout the series.
Yes, the price is high, but sometimes the most obvious pick is the correct one. Wembanyama enters the Finals as the best player in the world and the most likely player to dominate the biggest stage. If you’re looking for the safest NBA Finals MVP wager on the board, this is it.
Jalen Brunson (+230)
At first glance, +230 may seem like a reasonable price on New York’s best player, but these odds feel shorter than they should be given the matchup.
There’s no denying Brunson has been phenomenal throughout the postseason. He’s averaging 26.9 points per game while shooting nearly 49% from the field, consistently carrying the Knicks offense and delivering in big moments. If New York wins the championship, Brunson is likely to be the reason why.
The problem is who he’s facing.
San Antonio just spent seven games slowing down one of the most dangerous offensive players in basketball. The Spurs held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 41% shooting in the Western Conference Finals, including three games where he shot below 37% from the field. Their combination of length, defensive versatility, and disciplined rotations made life miserable for the reigning MVP.
Now that attention shifts to Brunson.
Unlike some of the Eastern Conference opponents New York faced on its Finals run, the Spurs have multiple defenders capable of making Brunson work for every basket. If San Antonio is able to force inefficient shooting nights and limit his ability to control the pace of games, his path to Finals MVP becomes significantly more difficult.
Brunson is good enough to overcome any matchup, but at +230, the market appears to be underestimating just how challenging this defensive assignment will be. There are better values on the board.
2026 NBA Finals MVP Sleepers
I see one viable sleeper in his own tier at +1600 odds. It’s the big man on the Knicks, one capable of making a major impact on the offensive end, none other than Towns.
Karl-Anthony Towns (+1600)
If you’re looking for a Knicks player outside of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns is easily the most intriguing value play on the board.
The path to a Towns Finals MVP ticket cashing is actually fairly straightforward. New York’s offense revolves around Brunson, but San Antonio just demonstrated its ability to slow down elite scoring guards by frustrating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the Western Conference Finals. If the Spurs are able to make life difficult for Brunson, someone else will need to step forward offensively.
That’s where Towns comes in.
The Knicks big man has the talent to take over stretches of a series with his scoring, rebounding, and floor spacing. His ability to pull defenders away from the basket creates matchup problems that few frontcourts can deal with. New York may need him to shoulder a larger offensive burden if Brunson faces constant defensive attention.
At +1600, you’re getting a player with a clear path to increased usage and a much bigger price than his actual upside suggests.
2026 NBA Finals MVP Longshots
There are two viable longshots, one who can play lockdown defense and another who can contribute on the offensive end.
OG Anunoby (+2500)
Anunoby is a true long shot, but his defensive impact gives him an outside path to the award. If he spends the series helping contain Victor Wembanyama while also contributing timely scoring and three-point shooting, voters could take notice.
New York likely needs several standout two-way performances from Anunoby to win the Finals, making him an intriguing option.
Stephon Castle (+3300)
Castle offers some of the best value among Spurs players because of his growing offensive role. The rookie has shown he can provide instant scoring, create his own shot, and deliver in big moments.
If defenses focus heavily on Wembanyama and Castle responds with multiple high-scoring performances, he could emerge as a surprise Finals MVP candidate at a massive price.
Responsible Gaming for 2026 NBA Finals MVP
NBA Finals MVP betting can add another layer of excitement to the championship series, but it’s important to approach these wagers with discipline and realistic expectations. Before placing any bets on Finals MVP candidates, decide how much you’re comfortable spending and avoid exceeding that amount regardless of the results.
Some smart, responsible gaming practices include:
- Create a bankroll specifically for Finals betting
- Never increase wager sizes after losses in an attempt to catch up
- Keep your betting units consistent throughout the series
- Avoid making decisions based solely on one standout performance
- Focus on long-term discipline rather than short-term outcomes
Award markets can be especially volatile because a single game, injury, or unexpected performance can dramatically shift the odds. Understanding that uncertainty is part of the betting experience can help prevent emotional decisions and unnecessary risk.
If sports betting begins affecting your financial situation, personal relationships, work responsibilities, or overall well-being, consider stepping away and seeking assistance. Responsible gaming should always remain the priority.
For confidential support and additional resources, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
Final Verdict: Lay the Juice on Wemby
Victor Wembanyama is the clear favorite for NBA Finals MVP, and for good reason. The Spurs superstar is averaging 23.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game during the playoffs while anchoring one of the NBA’s most dominant defenses. No player in this series impacts winning on more possessions.
The matchup also works heavily in his favor. San Antonio has already proven it can slow down elite guards after holding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 41% shooting in the Western Conference Finals. If the Spurs are able to limit Jalen Brunson in a similar fashion, Wembanyama’s influence on both ends of the floor becomes even more valuable.
Yes, -180 is a steep price, but sometimes the obvious pick is the right one. Wembanyama is the best player in the world and the biggest reason San Antonio is favored to win the championship. If the Spurs lift the trophy, there’s a very good chance Wemby is lifting the Finals MVP award right alongside it.
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
