The NBA season hasn’t started yet, but numerous players are already frontrunners to become MVP.
Most people agreed that Nikola Jokic and reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are in the lead, but other players could sneak up and make a name for themselves.
According to Carmelo Anthony, Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets is a player to watch.
“[Alperen Sengun] could be MVP. We talking about MVP candidates, Sengun could be an MVP candidate,” Anthony said.
Carmelo Anthony believes Alperen Sengun could be a MVP candidate this season 👀
(Via @7PMinBrooklyn, h/t @FranchiseSengun)pic.twitter.com/lUe9M4AqIS
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 14, 2025
Anthony is saying this because of what Sengun has done already during his four years in the league.
He has averaged 16.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 51.8 percent from the field since joining the Rockets before the 2021-22 season.
Last year, he put up 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds, earning his first All-Star appearance and joining the conversation as one of the greatest big men in the NBA.
The Rockets have been climbing up the rankings in the Western Conference, and Sengun is part of the reason why.
There are very big expectations for them in the new year, which means they will need him to keep performing at the high level he’s reached.
Houston will be gaining even more attention in 2025-26, mostly because Kevin Durant is now in the lineup.
They have a good shot of going far in the playoffs, but not just because of Durant.
This was a team that was already showing terrific promise because of Sengun and the rest of his Rockets peers.
He may or may not be named MVP, but Sengun could have his best chance of being a champion this year.
NEXT: Kendrick Perkins Gushes About Budding Rockets Star