The star power in the WNBA has never shone brighter.
Not only do we have top-tier talents like reigning MVP Breanna Stewart and two-time winner A’Ja Wilson setting the pace for the league but the 2024 campaign is injected with promise-packed prospects, like Caitlin Clark.
Before this high-anticipated season tips off Tuesday, I run down the WNBA MVP odds and give my best picks and predictions for the favorites, sleepers, and live long shots to earn Most Valuable Player.
WNBA MVP Picks
Favorite
Breanna Stewart (+800 at DraftKings)
Breanna Stewart won MVP in her first season with the New York Liberty last year, which doesn’t bode well in terms of her hopes for a second straight Most Valuable nod. Hence the gap between her and Wilson on the MVP odds board.
Voters like to spread the love around, especially with Stewie sharing the stage with a very talented Liberty roster that includes fellow MVP contenders Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones. The league hasn’t had a back-to-back MVP since its first two years of existence (Cynthia Cooper in 1997 and 1998).
That said, Stewart is the best player on one of the best teams – a team I think will finish first overall in 2024. With the Aces pacing themselves for the playoffs, New York will push for home court in the finals and has a softer slate of games in the East.
Those wins will be backed up by the stats, with Stewart doing it all. She averaged 23 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists and played in all 40 games last season. The motivation is there for Stewart, especially after going M.I.A in the WNBA finals last September.
Wilson is a hefty front-runner at +120, but I’m wary of how Las Vegas will manage its stars in a compressed season (thanks Olympic break), as it searches for a third straight WNBA title. I don’t expect that same let-up from Stewie and the Libs. If anything, you’ll be able to cash out this 8/1 ticket for a profit later in the summer.
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Sleeper
Napheesa Collier (+3,800 at DraftKings)
A couple of weeks ago, some major sportsbook operators didn’t even have Napheesa Collier on the MVP odds board. Weak.
We’re talking about one of the most complete players in the WNBA, ranking Top 5 in Player Impact Estimate in 2023. Collier is the star of a rising Minnesota Lynx squad, coming off 21.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last summer.
Minnesota made some nice moves this offseason and has built a solid foundation around Collier. With the level of competition in the West, bookies aren’t paying much attention to Minny. However, I think the Lynx could challenge for No. 2 in the conference.
Many of the top favorites to win MVP have their impact watered down due to playing on loaded rosters – Stewart, Wilson, Ionescu, Jewel Loyd, and Nneka Ogwumike. Collier, on the other hand, would get full credit if the Lynx can build on last season’s 19 wins and postseason appearance.
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Long Shot
Aliyah Boston (+6,000 at DraftKings)
All eyes are on Caitlin Clark in Indiana this year, with that hype pushing her among the MVP frontrunners (priced as short as +950 after drawing the highest ticket count of this futures market). But what about Clark’s counterpart?
Aliyah Boston was a unanimous Rookie of the Year winner in 2023 and was just the sixth rookie to start the WNBA All-Star Game, finishing her first season averaging 14.5 points and 8.4 rebounds a contest.
She’s only getting better in Year 2 and will be part of one of the most promising pick-and-roll combos in the league. Boston isn’t sharing touches like some of the top contenders for MVP and will find a lot of space to operate with Clark stretching the defense. The Fever are expected to improve greatly from their 13 wins in 2023 and Boston is a big reason why.
