NBA MVP race 2024-25: Nikola Jokic positions as NBA MVP favorite

We know who won the 2024 NBA MVP, but it’s never too early to preview this season’s candidates to win The Michael Jordan Trophy. Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid have combined to win the past four MVP awards, but we have a feeling a newcomer will emerge.

Now that the NBA season is finally here, these are our frontrunners to vie for The Michael Jordan Trophy, otherwise known as the MVP award, in 2025.

10. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Can the gigantic Frenchman take a Victor Wembanyama-sized sophomore leap? He’s already viewed as one of the best defenders in the NBA, and he has an incredibly smooth offensive skillset. A better all-around roster, plus the presence of Chris Paul, might make the Spurs superstar into a fringe MVP candidate, but he’ll have to fend off a whole league of players. So far, Wemby hasn’t taken a step forward, but the Spurs have at least been more competitive.

9. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

Phoenix is finally clicking and Kevin Durant is a big reason why. He’s averaging a new career-best in effective field goal percentage, but Durant’s still averaging 2.0 combined steals + blocks per game. Despite being 36, Durant’s been excellent on both ends of the floor.

8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

After proving that the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the best teams in the Western Conference, Anthony Edwards is motivated to show he can be the face of the NBA. Already one of the top two-way players in the league, Edwards still has to take another big leap to merit this award. Having improved every year, we wouldn’t put it past him to become a more efficient scorer who learns to limit his turnovers, but it hasn’t quite happened yet.

7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Even though his individual numbers don’t pop off the page, Donovan Mitchell deserves extra credit for leading the team with the NBA’s best record. Mitchell is shooting a career-high 40.7% from distance. Mitchell can stay in the MVP conversation if the Cavaliers stay in first place all season long.

6. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Can Anthony Davis stay healthy? That’s the biggest question as he plays into his age-31 season. But he did play 76 out of 82 games last season and had very impressive numbers with 24.7 PPG, 12.6 RPG, and 2.3 BPG. He’s off to an even stronger start, averaging 27.8 PPG and 11.5 RPG while blocking two shots per game. If that level of play continues, you can bet he’ll be in the mix to win MVP, but the Lakers will need to have a good record too.

5. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks

The NBA’s best scorer today, Luka Doncic, is undoubtedly talented. He also has a unique flair for setting his teammates up in transition. But he doesn’t play defense, and without it, we have a hard time imagining how voters will see him as the NBA MVP, though it’s been done before.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Even though the Bucks haven’t taken a significant step forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo is still putting up big numbers, averaging an NBA-high 32.7 PPG while having close to 12 rebounds per contest too. Yet, unless the Bucks can get back to being contenders, the Greek Freak’s chances of winning MVP are slim.

3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum can relax a bit now that he got his NBA Championship. But will he ever be in the top three of the NBA’s best players from a production standpoint? Maybe not, especially while working in such a smooth tandem with Jaylen Brown. Odds are Tatum doesn’t care about the MVP hardware, he wants more rings. But he’ll still be in the mix to win his first MVP while averaging close to 30 PPG.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took a gigantic leap last season, and so did the Oklahoma City Thunder. SGA’s in the top five in scoring for the third consecutive season in a row, but this year, he’s also averaging a career-high 6.5 assists per game. Also averaging 2.8 stocks per game, Gilgeous-Alexander remains one of the best all-around players in the NBA.

1. NBA MVP – Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

No one puts up numbers like Nikola Jokic. He may not be the league’s top scorer, but Jokic is an incredibly efficient player who has somehow come close to averaging a triple-double each of the past two seasons. With three awards already on his shelf, of course Jokic is a top 2025 NBA MVP candidate again. He’s here thanks to averaging 30.1 PPG, 13.0 RPG, plus 10.4 APG. Can he average a triple-double all year? Doing so would definitely earn him another MVP award.