A panel of media members votes on the WNBA MVP award based on a player’s individual stats, team success, and overall impact on the game. The award will be announced at the end of the season.
As of June 14, 2023, the following players have the best odds from DraftKings to win the award:
- Breanna Stewart (+120)
- A’ja Wilson (+500)
- Elena Delle Donne (+750)
- Brittney Griner (+1600)
- Sabrina Ionescu (+2500)
Stewart is the clear favorite, averaging 23.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game for one of the WNBAs’ best teams. Wilson is also a strong contender, and Delle Donne, Griner, and Ionescu are having MVP-type seasons and can win this award.
Here is a closer look at the top five players in the WNBA MVP odds:
Breanna Stewart
Stewart won this award in 2018 and is the frontrunner to win her second MVP. Stewart is second in the league in scoring and third in caroms, and the Liberty has the best points differential in the Eastern Conference, mainly due to Stewart and her play on both ends of the floor.
A’ja Wilson
Wilson is the reigning WNBA MVP and two-time league MVP. She is a dominant force inside and a threat to score from anywhere on the court. She is averaging 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game and is the leader on the best team in the league.
Elena Delle Donne
Delle Donne is a two-time WNBA MVP and, after two difficult, injury-riddled seasons, has missed one game to “rest” but otherwise has been relatively healthy. The Mystics All-Star center ranks 10th in the WNBA in scoring, but she’s still one of the best shooters from beyond the arc.
Brittney Griner
Griner missed last season because of legal troubles but has made a big splash this season, averaging 20 points and 6.5 caroms per contest. Griner left Tuesday night’s contest with a hip injury and didn’t return against Seattle, but if Phoenix wins anything this season, Griner will be the main reason.
Sabrina Ionescu
Ionescu is one of the young stars in the WNBA, and the addition of Stewart has given Ionescu fewer opportunities to light it up. Still, she’s averaging 16.5 points and has exceeded that number in her last two games. She’s dealing with a hamstring injury, causing her to miss Tuesday’s game with the Atlanta Dream.
Brittney Griner WNBA MVP Outlook
Arizonans would love to see Griner win this award, but besides the points, Griner hasn’t done much else compared to what Stewart, Delle Donne, and Wilson have done to lead their respective teams.
Griner has scored 18+ in seven of her last eight contests and likely would’ve scored at least 18 if not for a hip injury that limited the former Baylor standout to nine minutes. Griner failed to return in their Tuesday night loss to Seattle, and that’s something we will need to monitor closely.
The Mercury haven’t played well and has the second-worst points differential in the WNBA. 2009 MVP Diana Taurasi can still make plays on the offensive end of the floor, but opposing guards blow right past Taurasi and guard Sophie Cunnigham, and the two don’t have the offense to make up for this.
One thing that could change in Griner’s favor would be the return of guard Skyler Diggins-Smith. The Mercury guard is a big-time scorer and plays better-than-average defense but is on maternity leave without a clear timetable for return. Her presence in the Mercury lineup would take some of the scoring pressure off of Griner and maybe allow Griner more freedom to score the basketball.
Finally, +1600 is a good price for Griner, but only if Diggins-Smith returns. The Mercury could easily miss the playoffs with this current roster. Still, adding a third-scorer like the former Notre Dame guard will increase the Mercury’s chances of winning and make Griner a more viable betting option than she currently is.
