NBA MVP Race: 9 Players to Watch in 2025-26

The NBA’s MVP race is one of the most hotly debated awards in global sports. It dominates talk shows, floods social media, and fuels betting action across the world. For fans looking to back their favorites, SBOBET remains the preferred sportsbook provider, while LB9 Online Casino and LB9 Blog delivers the latest news and insights on every twist in the race.

To actually win MVP, a player must check several boxes. Durability comes first, especially with the new 65-game minimum now required for award eligibility. Next is team success—while the trophy is technically an individual award, history shows that voters lean toward stars on winning teams. SGA’s case last season was boosted not only by his numbers but also by Oklahoma City’s 18-game edge in the standings over Denver. On top of that, today’s voters rely heavily on advanced analytics, so any serious candidate has to grade out among the league’s elite in efficiency and impact metrics.

With all that in mind, let’s look at nine players who could realistically capture the 2026 NBA MVP crown.

9. Donovan Mitchell, G, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mitchell didn’t quite reach new statistical heights last season—his usage dipped slightly, and his raw production took a small step back. Still, his performance was strong enough to land him on the All-NBA First Team, thanks in large part to Cleveland’s dominant regular season run.

For Mitchell to elevate himself into true MVP territory, a few things need to align. The Cavs likely need to own the Eastern Conference once again, with Mitchell driving that success. His scoring efficiency will be the first swing factor: he connected on 36.8% of his threes on high volume (nine attempts per game), an impressive mark given his tough shot selection. But to get into MVP range, he may need to bump that closer to 40%.

Another key area is finishing at the rim. Mitchell converted just 60% within three feet last season—a sharp 10-point drop compared to his previous three years, per Basketball Reference.

Improving there, along with drawing more fouls (he averaged 7.8 free throw attempts per 100 possessions last year), could make his scoring profile even more dangerous.

While some argue that “less Mitchell” might actually benefit the Cavs overall, he still stands out as Cleveland’s best bet for MVP recognition. Regular season dominance is what voters care about, and if the Cavs rack up wins, Mitchell’s role as their offensive catalyst keeps him firmly in the conversation.

8. Anthony Edwards, G, Minnesota Timberwolves

From the moment he went No. 1 overall in 2020, Anthony Edwards has carried the label of a jaw-dropping athlete. Last season, though, he evolved into something even scarier: a premier perimeter marksman. Edwards knocked down 320 three-pointers, the most in the league, while also leading in attempts. Compared to the year before, he fired up nearly 280 more threes—despite playing the exact same 79 games. Hitting 39.5% from deep on that kind of volume is staggering, but it also highlights how dependent Minnesota has become on his shot-making to offset the roster’s spacing limitations.

With Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert clogging the frontcourt again, Edwards may not have much more room to attack the basket this year, meaning his pull-up jumper will remain his lifeline. Entering his age-24 season, Edwards is already coming off two straight Western Conference Finals appearances and back-to-back top-7 MVP finishes. Even with the Wolves dampening some momentum after losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, optimism still hinges on Edwards making yet another leap. Last year was his most efficient scoring campaign yet, and his growth as a passer was a welcome development. The foundation for a complete superstar is being laid—but for an MVP coronation, everything in Minnesota has to break perfectly in his favor.

7. Jalen Brunson, G, New York Knicks

Since Jalen Brunson arrived in New York, the Knicks have experienced their most successful stretch since the Patrick Ewing era. In just three seasons, Brunson has guided them to four playoff series wins and a trip to the conference finals—a huge leap forward for a franchise still chasing its first title since 1973. But good isn’t good enough in New York. After trading away future draft capital and ballooning the payroll, expectations are sky-high, and no team in the NBA enters this season under more pressure. With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton sidelined by Achilles injuries, the East suddenly feels wide open.

Brunson will again be the heartbeat of the Knicks, though his new coach, Mike Brown, could tweak his role compared to Tom Thibodeau’s usage patterns. Brunson thrives on balancing high usage (29.5%) with elite efficiency (60.5% true shooting), all while maintaining an impressive assist-to-turnover balance (32.3% AST rate vs. 10.5% TOV rate). The next step may be to get him off the ball more often. Brunson shot a blistering 50% on catch-and-shoot threes last season but just 32% off the dribble, which suggests teammates like Mikal Bridges or Karl-Anthony Towns could shoulder more playmaking to unlock his full efficiency.

For an MVP case to materialize, Brunson likely needs two things: the Knicks to finish with the No. 1 seed in the East, and his reputation as one of the league’s deadliest clutch scorers to shine even brighter. Both outcomes feel plausible. If the Knicks become the story of the season, don’t be surprised if there’s a full-on media push to turn Brunson into a serious MVP frontrunner.

6. Alperen Şengün, C, Houston Rockets

If you’re searching for a true long-shot MVP candidate, Alperen Şengün might be the name to circle. Entering the season, sportsbooks like FanDuel have him listed at 40,000-1, which reflects just how steep the climb is. After all, he has only one All-Star-level campaign on his résumé. But at just 23 years old, he’s showing signs of being ready for more.

Şengün turned heads this summer with a brilliant performance at EuroBasket, where he arguably looked like the best player on the floor in a tournament featuring giants such as Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Back in the NBA, the Rockets already finished as the No. 2 seed in the West last year, and while swapping Jalen Green for Kevin Durant raised expectations, the loss of Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL complicates the outlook. Even so, Houston could very well be the league’s next juggernaut outside of Oklahoma City, and Şengün’s continued growth would be at the center of it.

What stood out most last season was his leap on the defensive end, which earned him greater trust from coach Ime Udoka. With Durant now spacing the floor, Şengün should find easier scoring lanes inside while also creating more assists as a facilitator. His flair for passing and highlight-reel playmaking already makes him must-see TV, and his ability to finish at the rim adds to his arsenal. After averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, it isn’t unrealistic to think he can push those numbers even higher. If the Rockets meet their lofty ceiling, don’t be surprised if Şengün—not Durant—is the true engine of their success. With a little luck, he could even play his way into the MVP conversation sooner than many expect.

5. Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs

For Victor Wembanyama, the question isn’t if he’ll win MVP one day—it’s when. The 7’4” phenom is entering just his third NBA season, but he already looks frighteningly close to being the best player in the world. Last year, he was on track to win Defensive Player of the Year before a blood clot in his shoulder sidelined him for the second half of the season. Now healthy, he’s set to take another leap with the strongest supporting cast of his young career.

The Spurs added real help around him. De’Aaron Fox, though limited to only five games alongside Wemby last season, provides a lightning-quick guard who can both score and feed off the gravitational pull Wembanyama creates inside. Rookie Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick, should give San Antonio an immediate backcourt boost, while veterans Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk add depth up front.

The only concern? Spacing. If the Spurs’ shooters don’t deliver, Wembanyama could find himself drifting to the perimeter more often than he should. While he’s capable of hitting jumpers, his 8-foot wingspan is a devastating weapon near the rim, and that’s where he belongs most of the time. Even so, he’s already regarded as the league’s most dominant defender, and his offensive skill set is growing at a staggering pace.

An MVP award in Year 3 might come a little too soon—but make no mistake: Wembanyama is on a trajectory to collect multiple trophies before his career is over.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks

There are two ways to frame the Milwaukee Bucks entering this season. Either they’re a team weighed down by the fallout of the short-lived Damian Lillard partnership, or they’re simply recalibrating to once again build fully around Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the Eastern Conference looking weaker than usual, Milwaukee still boasts the best player in the region—and that alone keeps them relevant.

If the Bucks finish near the top of the standings, it will almost certainly be because Giannis dragged them there, which makes him an automatic MVP candidate. Now 31 in December, Antetokounmpo already has two MVP trophies and has been firmly entrenched as a top-three player on the planet for seven straight seasons. His dominance around the rim remains unmatched, and he’s even added a reliable mid-range game to further round out his scoring arsenal.

The concern is the workload. Milwaukee will lean on him to initiate offense, anchor the defense, and essentially operate as a point forward, which risks overextending him. Still, Giannis has proven to be as reliable as any superstar in the league—consistently overwhelming opponents with his size, speed, and relentlessness. If he stays healthy and manages to haul this Bucks roster into contention, voters may have no choice but to reward his heroics with a third MVP.

3. Luka Dončić, G, Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Dončić enters the 2025-26 campaign with a chip on his shoulder—and the brightest spotlight in basketball. After being traded away by the Dallas Mavericks, the 26-year-old superstar now has the perfect chance to prove just how misguided that decision was, even if Dallas has thrived without him. For Dončić, Los Angeles offers both motivation and the stage he’s always seemed destined for.

A perennial preseason MVP favorite, Luka looks locked in physically and mentally. There will be no slow starts this year; his conditioning is on point, and he’s set to unleash his full offensive arsenal from opening night. At his peak, Dončić is practically an entire offense by himself—combining high-volume scoring with elite playmaking in a way few players in history have matched.

The Lakers’ roster has also improved. Deandre Ayton provides an upgrade at center, while Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia deepen the bench. With LeBron James nearing his 41st birthday and embracing more of a secondary role, the team is unquestionably Dončić’s to lead. The challenge? The Western Conference is as unforgiving as ever, and questions remain about whether the Lakers can defend well enough to secure a top seed.

But if Dončić delivers another season as a one-man offensive powerhouse and pushes the Lakers into homecourt advantage territory, his case for MVP becomes impossible to ignore. He has both the narrative and the talent—now it’s about turning potential into dominance on basketball’s grandest stage.

2. Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets

For the last five years, Nikola Jokić has worn the crown as the best player in basketball—and there’s little evidence he’s ready to hand it over. Turning 31 in February, the Serbian superstar enters the season with another title-caliber roster around him, which means expectations in Denver are nothing short of another championship.

The Nuggets lifted the trophy in 2023 and came within one game of knocking off the eventual champion Thunder in last year’s playoffs. It took one of the greatest defensive efforts we’ve ever seen to even slow Jokić down—and that task won’t get any easier this year with Cameron Johnson providing another perimeter weapon for Denver.

With three MVPs already on his résumé, Jokić doesn’t always seem fixated on winning more regular-season hardware. The only real obstacle to his candidacy could be availability: the new 65-game minimum looms large. Yet Jokić has historically been one of the league’s most durable stars, and if he plays his usual brand of basketball—unparalleled efficiency, all-world passing, and unstoppable scoring—there’s simply no one else on the planet who can match him.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last season marked the full arrival of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as not only the league’s MVP but also the best guard in the world. In leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship, he cemented himself as the driving force behind one of the NBA’s most balanced rosters.

At 6’6” with a 7-foot wingspan, SGA is a nightmare matchup for any defense. His dribble package—full of creative crossovers, hesitations, and footwork—lets him glide into his favorite spots. From there, his mid-range shot-making is lethal, capable of rising over virtually any perimeter defender. While he may not have Luka Dončić’s flash as a deep-shot creator or elite playmaker, SGA’s crafty, rhythmic scoring style is just as difficult to contain.

With two strong co-stars and a deep rotation of versatile role players, OKC is built to contend for years. If Gilgeous-Alexander comes close to replicating his MVP-level production from last year, the Thunder could be positioned to chase history as the first back-to-back champions since Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors. For SGA, last season wasn’t the peak—it was the beginning of his prime, and the rest of the league is still scrambling to catch up.

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