nba mvp
nba mvp
On Tuesday, the 2026-27 NBA season officially kicks off. This summer was eventful in the Association as some big-time talent switched teams in trades and free agency. The Eastern Conference is now as deep as it’s been in years, and the West will be all about trying to catch up to the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
More than ever, you need elite players to have a chance at competing for an NBA championship. So which stars will stand above the rest and make their case to be the 2026-27 NBA MVP? We offer our early predictions for the finalists and winner of the award in the new season.
Jayson Tatum
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Oct 14, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
After spending close to a year rehabbing a ruptured Achilles, Jayson Tatum looked pretty darn good in his 16 regular-season games last season. Posting 21 points and 10 rebounds a night. However, while he still put up big numbers in the playoffs, he seemed to show signs of exhaustion. Following a summer to get back to working on an already great game and his body, Tatum is set up for a really big season in 2026-27.
Jaylen Brown’s MVP-level campaign without Tatum in 2025-26 showed they don’t need each other to post big numbers. If Brown can do it, there is no reason to believe Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla won’t make good use of his star’s wide array of skills on offense, so he is also in the discussion for the MVP award after this season.
Luka Doncic
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Oct 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) smiles at the free throw line during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic has consistently been in the NBA MVP conversation for the last five years. When it comes to offense, there is no player better in the Association. Now, in year three (second full season) with the Los Angeles Lakers, the front office has overhauled the team to his liking, and he no longer has to share the ball with league legend LeBron James.
The six-time All-Star also slimmed down and got in better shape this summer. That, along with a roster built for his skillset, means the 27-year-old is set up for another outstanding season — as long as he can stay healthy.
Nikola Jokic
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Oct 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) calls out in the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Is Denver Nuggets legend Nikola Jokic a difference maker on defense? Nope. But does it really matter? The man is 6-foot-11 with All-Star point guard passing skills, unlimited shooting range, and is one of the NBA’s best rebounders.
Since the 2020-21 season, Jokic has been first or second in the NBA MVP voting every single year. And if not for missing close to 20 games, many believe he would have won it for a fourth time in 2025-26. Barring a freak injury, there is absolutely no reason to believe he won’t be in the MVP conversation again this season with Denver bringing back much of the same team from last year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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Oct 15, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
While the NBA has a boatload of gifted scorers right now, there is no one better than Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s like the two-time NBA MVP has an AI mind when the ball is in his hands because he is extremely efficient, smooth, and seems like he is two steps ahead of defenders.
You have to go back to the early 1980s and Larry Bird for the last player to win the award in three straight seasons. So the deck is definitely stacked against SGA in 2026-27. Nevertheless, it will be hard to underestimate the Thunder star’s chances of making more history.
Anthony Edwards
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Oct 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a shot during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards is one of the game’s most dangerous scorers. Be it in the first quarter or the final two minutes of a game, when the ball is in his hands, he will always be the defense’s top priority.
However, having to carry the scoring and ball-handling load takes a lot out of the four-time All-Star. But after the team traded for LaMelo Ball this summer, Edwards should have far more energy to direct to his scoring and defense in 2026-27. Furthermore, with Ball, he should get more easy looks than he has gotten in recent years.
Victor Wembanyama
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Oct 14, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles up the court in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
You can bet that San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama will be in the NBA MVP discussion this season. He has long been a monster on the defensive end, but over the last year he has grown a lot as a scorer to the point where he can be unstoppable on both sides of the floor at times.
After having his heart broken by the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, you can bet the Frenchman will be motivated to be even better in 2026-27.
NBA MVP Winner
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Oct 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) on the court during the first half the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Doncic has finished in the top five of the NBA MVP voting four times during his career, including last season. With a Lakers roster built around accentuating his talents, it feels like that, and the Hollywood spotlight has him poised to break through and win his first Most Valuable Player award in the spring.