With the 2025–26 season about to unfold, the debate over the next Most Valuable Player has already begun. Four names dominate the conversation: Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Anthony Edwards. Each brings a unique storyline into the season, setting up one of the most competitive MVP races in recent memory.
Nikola Jokić: The Standard of Greatness
The Denver Nuggets’ star enters yet another year as the safest bet in the field. A two-time MVP and Finals MVP, Jokić has redefined what a center can do. His passing remains unmatched, his efficiency unrivaled, and his ability to control games with a near-effortless calm makes him a perennial candidate. With Denver still firmly in contention in the Western Conference, Jokić could easily reclaim the trophy if he maintains his usual statistical brilliance.
Luka Dončić: The Engine of Dallas
Every season, Luka Dončić edges closer to capturing the award that has seemed destined for him since his rookie year. Fresh off leading Slovenia in international play, Dončić returns to Dallas as the Mavericks’ do-everything star. He continues to put up video-game numbers, blending scoring, playmaking, and rebounding in ways few guards in history have matched. For Dončić, the MVP question is less about ability and more about team success — if Dallas climbs high in the standings, voters will find it hard to look past him.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Oklahoma City’s Rising Force
The Thunder have transformed from a rebuilding project into a playoff threat, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the driving force behind it. His scoring touch, efficiency, and leadership vaulted him into MVP discussions last season, and expectations are even higher now. With Oklahoma City’s young core developing around him, Shai has the chance not only to lead a contender but also to stake his claim as one of the league’s elite faces.
Anthony Edwards: The Next Big Leap
Anthony Edwards is the wildcard in this race, but one impossible to ignore. At just 24 years old, Edwards has already become the centerpiece of Minnesota’s resurgence. His combination of athleticism, confidence, and scoring ability has drawn comparisons to legends, and his playoff performances have hinted at superstardom. If the Timberwolves make another leap forward in the standings, Edwards could find himself in serious MVP contention.
A Wide-Open Race
What makes this MVP race so compelling is the balance of established dominance and rising stardom. Jokić represents sustained excellence, Dončić brings global superstar appeal, Gilgeous-Alexander embodies steady ascension, and Edwards offers the thrill of a breakout. Each candidate has the tools, and each team’s success will likely determine who takes home the hardware.
As the 2025–26 season tips off, one thing is clear: the path to the MVP award is crowded with talent, and fans are in for a year-long debate that will keep every box score and every highlight under a microscope.
