With the NBA season approaching, players are starting to get warm for the coming season. The NBA is a star-driven league and drives teams to win NBA championships. This list will display my top five MVP candidates for this coming season. This list doesn’t necessarily mean that one player is better than someone ranked higher than them, but their likelihood of winning MVP.
1. Giannis Antentokoumpo
Giannis is number one on my MVP list this coming season because he fills the stat sheet, can push the ball at point guard, and play center. He can really play all five positions and will be on a winning team. I fully expect the Bucks to play with a lot of motivation this year after their disappointing first-round exit to the Heat last season. Giannis will lead the charge and winning takes a part of who will take home the MVP trophy.
Photo Cred: NBA
2. Nikola Jokic
Jokic will be in the MVP conversation this year. Many consider him the best player in the world right now, and rightly so. After the Nuggets just won the NBA championship. Jokic will be on a winning team and putting up MVP numbers, assuming health, and many feel like he should have won last season over Joel Embiid if it wasn’t for voter fatigue Jokic will have plenty of time to prove he will still take home more MVP trophies.
Photo Cred: BasketmanNews
3. Luka Doncic
Luka is one of the bright young players in the entire league. He is big for a guard and uses that size and strength to create shots for himself and his teammates. Luka has always been able to stuff the stat sheet, but the biggest aspect for the Mavericks all-star guard to win MVP is how many wins the Mavs will have. The Mavs struggled last season and didn’t make the playoffs. If Luka wants a chance at the MVP trophy, the Mavs will likely have to be a top-four seed in the Western Conference. Luka is a terrific offensive player who can do anything asked of him on the offensive side of the ball. His teammates love playing with him, and I expect him to have an MVP-type season.
Photo Cred: SI
4. Joel Embiid
The reigning MVP, Joel Embiid will be in the mix for this award this season. Embiid is one of the most dominant players in the league and will continue to look that way for years to come. With new head coach Nick Nurse, I expect Embiid to increase production and be in the race for the MVP trophy again. Who knows what will happen with James Harden, but if he stays or leaves, it won’t affect his touches or how he plays the game.
Photo Cred: CNN
5. Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum has been in the mix for the MVP trophy for the past few seasons. But has never won the award. I expect him to be in this mix again this season and possibly take home the trophy. Tatum can do it all on the offensive side of the ball, and his defense has increased year over year. The Celtics will be a winning team, and Tatum will be the driving force. Tatum needs to increase his production in clutch time during the last five minutes of close games. This will boost his chances of winning the award.
Photo Cred: ClutchPoints
