LeBron James may no longer be a perennial NBA MVP contender, but if anyone knows what it takes to win the award, it would be The King.
In his 23rd NBA season, James is still chugging along remarkably, averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists, while leading the L.A. Lakers to the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 34-22 record.
But at 41 years old, LeBron is well aware his days as the league's top dog are behind him, having won the last of his four Most Valuable Player awards back in 2012-13. However, that hasn't stopped the basketball icon from giving his thoughts on the 2025-26 MVP race.
LeBron Makes Surprise MVP Suggestion
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) speaks in a press conference
Following the Lakers' 111-89 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday night, James singled out Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown as a worthy MVP candidate.
“This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about some as well,” James told reporters, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Like, nobody gave them a shot to start the season. And he’s averaging what, 30? Just under 30? It’s a popularity contest sometimes, I tell you.”
Brown finished the night with a game-high 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. The 29-year-old is averaging 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game this season, while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Boston currently occupies second place in the Eastern Conference with a 37-19 record off the back of Brown's heroics and despite Jayson Tatum missing the entirety of the 2025-26 season so far.
“I think he just used the motivation of a lot of people just saying that they’re going to have a down year,” James added. “The whole championship team pretty much is kind of revamped, and he used it as motivation to keep them afloat. They’re playing great basketball, and it’s because of him and the rest of those guys. He’s taken that next step.”
Brown Responds to LeBron's High Praise
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics warms up before an NBA game
Brown was flattered by James' comments, and shared the confidence he currently has in his game.
“Who I am, I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the world,” Brown said. “I play both ends on the court night-to-night. I’m available, which is hard to do. I’m a leader. Help lead my team, empower my team to come out and play confidently, stuff that doesn’t always show up on the analytics. And I’m a winner. I come out and try to win every single night.
"It's an honor for LeBron, who's arguably the best player to ever play the game, giving me some high praise. So, I'm just grateful."
Brown placed sixth in ESPN's latest MVP straw poll last week, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama and LeBron's Lakers teammate, Luka Dončić. He also has the sixth-best odds to win the award at +5000, according to FanDuel.