The Clutch Player of the Year Award will be given out for the third time in NBA history after this season and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic (-145) is the favorite at BetMGM to take home the hardware. The Denver Nuggets big man is regularly the main reason his team wins games and makes big plays down the stretch, but there’s still plenty of value in this race. Let’s go over why some longshots still have a realistic chance.
Tyrese Maxey (+750) has the second best odds. The Philadelphia 76ers point guard has had to carry a heavy load on offense because of his oft-injured co-stars, but he’s still not his team’s main option. Joel Embiid is the top dog when healthy. The 76ers are clawing for a play-in tournament spot ahead of the All-Star break, and maybe Maxey should be considered a live dog if he drags his team to the playoffs. He ranks second in total clutch points (103) and sixth in total fourth quarter points (320) this season. One player behind him on the odds leaderboard might have a better case.
Trae Young (+800) has the third best odds despite leading the NBA in clutch points (119) and fourth quarter points (348). The Atlanta Hawks point guard routinely makes game sealing plays as a scorer and playmaker. He leads the league in fourth quarter assists (128) and will have to power his team’s offense even more now with Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter gone. The Hawks rank eighth in the Eastern Conference because of him despite their limited experience and talent in comparison to the other teams around them.
Young isn’t sure to fly up the standings in the back half of the season, but he has a clear case to be higher up on the list of legitimate contenders than he is. The floor generals could bring major returns for those willing to sprinkle a wager on him now. He can continue to widen his lead in clutch points, fourth quarter points, and fourth quarter assists in time.
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