Preview of the official website MVP list: Or Jokic&SGA? Does Dongcic&Huazi& have a chance in the liberal arts class?

Translator's Note: This article was originally published on the NBA official website. The author is Shaun Powell. The data in the article are as of the time of the original article (October 17, local time). The opinions in the article have nothing to do with the translator and the platform.

Some people are called, but only few are chosen. Actually, there was only one person.

That's the MVP of every NBA season—a chance to be crowned the league's most influential player. The honor is almost a lock for a Hall of Fame spot, inclusion among the greats and, most importantly, immeasurable wealth for years to come.

There are no clear selection criteria for this award, but the following performance will attract the attention of the voting committee: being at the top of the league in points, rebounds, assists or blocks (or, better yet, leading in multiple statistics combined). Become the core of a team that wins 50 games (or close to 50) and is expected to compete for the top seed in the conference. Pass the endurance test (at least 65 games played) while also driving ticket sales and boosting TV ratings.

That's it. The standard is quite simple, but it is not easy to actually implement it.

As the 2025-26 season is about to kick off, MVP candidates will be divided into two categories: regular favorites...and potential dark horses. In most seasons, two contenders come to the fore in the final month. Then it will be up to the final winner to find a foothold.

Will this time be as dramatic as last season — where Alexander and Jokic sparked heated debate — or will there be an unquestioned frontrunner like Stephen Curry (the only unanimous vote-winner) and LeBron James’ award-winning seasons?

The following is the NBA official website's pre-season MVP survey, listing in alphabetical order the 10 candidates most likely to compete for this most precious individual award in basketball.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

One of the prerequisites for MVP candidates is to bear heavy responsibilities. For this reason, Antetokounmpo had better prepare a strong back and knees this season. This is the second time since 2018 that he will be without an All-Star teammate in the new season. Therefore, turning the Bucks into a championship contending team in the 2025-26 season is undoubtedly the biggest challenge facing Antetokounmpo.

And this is directly related to his chances of running for MVP. The two-time MVP, who is also the only player to have ranked among the top four in the voting in each of the past seven seasons, will surely produce impressive statistics to support his competitiveness. As the team's primary offensive option when the team lacks a strong secondary scoring point, Antetokounmpo should average double-digit rebounds per game for the ninth consecutive season and continue to be a defensive force. But where will the Bucks be at the end of the season?

2. Jaylen Brunson, New York Knicks

He is one of the league's best scoring point guards who is the savior at critical moments. He is in the largest media market and plays for an expected strong team. These describe Brunson and his expected qualifications to compete for the award, all of which should earn him votes. Two seasons ago, he finished fourth in voting, ahead of Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards.

Brunson will play for a new coach this season, but will that improve (or hurt) his chances? New Knicks coach Mike Brown advocates a ball-sharing philosophy, which means Brunson may have fewer touches. In this regard, Brunson can polish his passing skills and increase his assist total, thus enhancing his MVP competitiveness.

3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Cunningham, who has just experienced a breakthrough season, is now embarking on a new journey and new goals, and all of this can be achieved. Can the Pistons win 50 games and spark a basketball renaissance in Detroit? Can Cunningham surpass his 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game in the 2024-25 season? The answer is yes.

He has just entered the ranks of MVP contenders, and players in his situation often need to provide more real proof beyond a single outstanding season. Cunningham definitely has the ability to break that mold, especially if the Pistons can surprise and sit atop the Eastern Conference for much of the season.

4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Among all the "veterans" who are still at their peak over the age of 30, Curry is the best among them, and is therefore the most likely candidate to win the MVP. He's still a proven three-point monster and usually the most dangerous scorer on the floor, no matter who the Warriors face that night.

The two-time MVP winner will face two challenges: Can the 37-year-old maintain a high level of shooting efficiency? Can the Warriors win enough? Both of these issues were non-issues for much of the past decade, but this is no longer 2015.

5. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Doncic said he is looking forward to his first full season with the Lakers.

He is the unofficial favorite among all the candidates who have never won MVP. "It's his turn," you might say, though voters loathe that argument. Doncic is more than capable of making the vote easy; his offensive talents are so impressive – maybe the defense could improve too? ——And the 2025-26 season is crucial to him.

After an offseason of hard training, he is energized and in the best physical condition of his career, and is eagerly looking forward to spending a full season with the Lakers. If he and the Lakers succeed, there's every reason to be bullish on Doncic.

6. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Will it be him this year? Similar to Doncic, the 24-year-old Edwards seems destined to win the award at least once in his career. His skills continued to mature while his desire for success grew. Edwards has made no secret of his ambition to be the best player in the league, and he's certainly in the top 10 discussion.

Edwards has led the Timberwolves to two consecutive conference finals, but this is a regular season award. This means that if the Timberwolves are ranked in the top three in the highly competitive Western Conference, and Edwards ranks at the top of the NBA scoring list and improves other skills and defense, it will be beneficial to his competition.

7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

How to surpass the achievements of scoring champion, All-Star starter, All-NBA First Team, Finals MVP and championship? Shai doesn't need to replicate his all-around performance to retain his MVP title; that's good news. Even better, he's in his prime and can build on his output in 2024 to gain votes and become a serious contender for the award.

Even better is that the Thunder have just won 68 games and will almost certainly be ranked in the top two or three in the Western Conference in the new season, which means that Shea will have the support of the team to succeed. Another point in his favor: With four consecutive winners in the past 15 years — LeBron James, Giannis, Curry and Jokic — the notion of “voter fatigue” is largely irrelevant.

8. Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Jokic's personal dominance is amazing and legendary - Jokic has won the MVP three times since 2021, and ranked second in the two seasons in which he did not win the award. He is still at his peak, staying in top form (averaging a triple-double last season, the only center to achieve that feat), and ranking in the top three in points, rebounds and assists in the 2024-25 season.

If the predictions of NBA GMs in our GM survey come true, Jokic will join an elite group (Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan and James) in winning a fourth MVP. So far, the worst-case scenario is another second place finish.

9. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

He is already a recognized star player and the undisputed leader of the Cavaliers in the post-LeBron era. He can take over games, put up solid numbers, and has proven he can elevate his team to the top of the Eastern Conference. All of this would solidify his MVP candidacy and keep him in the top-five conversation for much of the season.

Mitchell must convince everyone that he is beyond "good". He needs to go one step further and spark "best in the league" conversations. That's a bit ambitious for a player who has only been named to the All-Pro team once, but not impossible.

10. Victor Vunbanyama, San Antonio Spurs

He has recovered from blood clots that caused him to be scrapped after playing only 46 games in the 2024-25 season and is ready to continue growing. Part of that growth happened over the summer - he's currently listed at 7-foot-5, an inch taller than before, giving him a more competitive edge. At 21 years old, his potential and ceiling are still amazing (the youngest MVP winners are 22-year-old Derrick Rose and Wes Unseld).

His long-range shooting ability, full-court running, skillful dribbling and shot-blocking ability that belies his height make him the ultimate monster. The outside world is generally optimistic that Wenban will win the award at least once in his career. Whether it starts now depends on several factors: Will the Spurs strictly control his playing time and number of games? Can the team win enough games? Can he put up all-around impressive numbers (averaging 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 2+ blocks, etc.) to compete with the top candidates?

source:bong da 7m