Who do you think wins MVP this season? (2025-26 NBA MVP Discussion Thread)

[JasonStern]

Shooting a low confidence shot, Jokic ends up the most deserving candidate but Wemby wins it. Voter fatigue, league pushing the up-and-coming star, etc.

[MMyhre]

shai's probably going to produce a season similar to last year. luka, giannis, jokic are all capable of matching or exceeding that, so it's too early to say. who knows where wemby settles. my guess is that shai will not repeat and one of the other three will win it.

Shai is still shooting a lot worse from three than he did last season, while increasing his percentages elsewhere, like his ridiculous 62 % from 10-16 feet.

I still think he has another leap in him, but it's going to need to come from his three point shooting. He takes a lot of tough stepback threes off the dribble, he makes them in the clutch but nowhere else, lol.

If he has Jalen Williams and Chet rolling, his shots will get easier.

[hagredionis]

It's funny that after only 5 games the stans were going on that wemby will win the MVP for sure and that's he'll become the goat but now after the 9 pts game they're like "don't jump to conclusions it's just one game." Well gentlemen who was jumping to conclusions before the 9 pts game!?

[ball_takes23]

Jokic has entered the race. 34/7/14/4/2 on 1 turnover vs Sacramento.

[CobraCommander]

A testament to the real MVP, OKC front office. It's not Shau hate, I truly believe they have been the very best during last seasons.

On other hand, SGA is a great great piece to the system. Luka or Jokic, they are the system. I don't imply this being better or worse.

This distinction always seemed arbitrary and one dimensional to me, and depending on how you view the player the framing will have a positive or negative connotation. I remember when Tim Duncan used to be called a system player in debates back in the early 2000s (showing my age). Compared to Steve Nash who was given the "they are the system" designation.

Some guys are the system in more subtle ways than others.

I can agree on that. OKC style is based on defense first, and then mostly SGA doing his thing, surrounded with complementary pieces to his game, and a second option in Jalen Williams to give Shai a rest.

Nevertheless, OKC FO IMO still is the key in the success, not only because of the assests, the flexibilyt, but also how soundly they have built the roster.

Regarding the comparison with Luka and Jokic, again, I think probably Shai's rol is less unique that the former two within their team and to dictate the success of it. Recognizing the Shai's uber talent indeed.

OKC doesn't win a ring without a guy that had a season statically that was second only to MJ for guards. ALSO the major difference in Luka and SGA is SGA, while not MJ on defense actually plays defense better than Luka and hustles better than Luka and is overall a better leader than Luka has been in the past. these are just facts....that Roster is built around SGA and they are winning and Dallas built around Luka and traded luka. the Luka fans gotta get over it...Luka isn't SGA because SGA has a MVP and a ring and a FMVP...these things happened on earth and in reality...and luka got traded and bounced the first round...that also happened.

its a new year and skinny luka avg 40! but we can't act like SGA is just some system player,...he is the reigning mvp and reigning champ of a team thats won more games than anyone over the last few years and their highest draft pick is Chet and Chet is 3rd of 4th most important player on that squad..of over achievers

new year..right now its wembys to lose...


also is luka going to play enough games to qualify for the MVP?

[CobraCommander]

Giannis with the game winner back in second place

[tmorgan]

If you can get a long odds bet in, put a few dollars on Cade. Something is cooking in Detroit, you *know* the league would love to have a US born candidate to relentlessly prop up.

[Mavrelous]

If you can get a long odds bet in, put a few dollars on Cade. Something is cooking in Detroit, you *know* the league would love to have a US born candidate to relentlessly prop up.

Cade is very interesting, he does everything right, creates enough separation, draws the double teams, but his finishing is still lacking, if he bumps up the accuracy on his shots and passes, he move from 2nd/3rd all NBA to a legit MVP calibre.

[Handlez]

Welp Jokic is MVP again.

Regardless of how the vote goes.

He just doesn't stop.

[tmorgan]

If you can get a long odds bet in, put a few dollars on Cade. Something is cooking in Detroit, you *know* the league would love to have a US born candidate to relentlessly prop up.

Cade is very interesting, he does everything right, creates enough separation, draws the double teams, but his finishing is still lacking, if he bumps up the accuracy on his shots and passes, he move from 2nd/3rd all NBA to a legit MVP calibre.

There’s a lot of interesting things going on with Cade so far this year.

The biggest change is strength. He’s noticeably bigger, much stronger in holding position on defense and finishing through contact on offense. As a result, he’s starting to get calls and his FT rate is up. Other than that, he’s actually playing relatively poorly so far on offense (last two games have been better, but still). He’s not shooting well from three. He’s missing a lot of free throws. His defense looks good so far, which is nice.

This is what I was talking about. A lot of Pistons aren’t playing all that well — notable exceptions the two bigs, Duren and Stewart — but they’re playing well together, forcing turnovers, getting stocks, drawing fouls. badly outscoring opponents in the paint. If guys who are capable start shooting a little better, and if Ivey comes back still shooting well and/or Beasley is allowed to re-sign, this could be a darn good team. And once Cade finds his touch again, he could get some notice as the leader.

I don’t actually think he has a real chance for MVP, of course. He’d have to go bananas in a way he’s never done for more than a few games, and the key competition would need to not make 65 games. There’s no way he’s winning over Jokic or SGA or Giannis. But he’s becoming a more complete player, even if the results are still a little shaky some nights.

[Packbuckman]

Giannis has been the most consistently great player this year even with the terrible ref calls for the bucks this year. MVP so far

[Infinite Llamas]

On offense Giannis has been great, but I’m not sure if it’s the knee or what but he looked horrid on the defensive end last night. I feel like he’s been skating by for some time with that rep that he’s a master at both ends but the eye test says otherwise.

[bonita_the_frog]

Giannis is arguably the best offensive player in the NBA, plus he plays better defense than Doncic (not that defense matters, based on Jokic, Harden and Westbrook winning MVPs).
Giannis has got MVP in the bag if Bucks finish Top2 in the East.

Giannis averaging 34.0 points, .681 field, .600 threes, 13.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 32.5 minutes
He truly is God disguised as Michael Jordan, disguised as Giannis Antetokounmpo.

[MMyhre]

On offense Giannis has been great, but I’m not sure if it’s the knee or what but he looked horrid on the defensive end last night. I feel like he’s been skating by for some time with that rep that he’s a master at both ends but the eye test says otherwise.

It's not just the eye test, the Bucks defensive rating, nbarapm.com defensive stats, nba.com defensive dashboard stats all have a big defensive decline for Giannis.

[MMyhre]

If you can get a long odds bet in, put a few dollars on Cade. Something is cooking in Detroit, you *know* the league would love to have a US born candidate to relentlessly prop up.

Cade is very interesting, he does everything right, creates enough separation, draws the double teams, but his finishing is still lacking, if he bumps up the accuracy on his shots and passes, he move from 2nd/3rd all NBA to a legit MVP calibre.

There’s a lot of interesting things going on with Cade so far this year.

The biggest change is strength. He’s noticeably bigger, much stronger in holding position on defense and finishing through contact on offense. As a result, he’s starting to get calls and his FT rate is up. Other than that, he’s actually playing relatively poorly so far on offense (last two games have been better, but still). He’s not shooting well from three. He’s missing a lot of free throws. His defense looks good so far, which is nice.

This is what I was talking about. A lot of Pistons aren’t playing all that well — notable exceptions the two bigs, Duren and Stewart — but they’re playing well together, forcing turnovers, getting stocks, drawing fouls. badly outscoring opponents in the paint. If guys who are capable start shooting a little better, and if Ivey comes back still shooting well and/or Beasley is allowed to re-sign, this could be a darn good team. And once Cade finds his touch again, he could get some notice as the leader.

I don’t actually think he has a real chance for MVP, of course. He’d have to go bananas in a way he’s never done for more than a few games, and the key competition would need to not make 65 games. There’s no way he’s winning over Jokic or SGA or Giannis. But he’s becoming a more complete player, even if the results are still a little shaky some nights.

If the Pistons get 50 + wins I still have him as a Dark Horse MVP. He just needs to shoot a bit quicker to get his shots off easier, like Luka does, and then gradually find that rhythm to be an on ball threat from three. Seems like he had some quicker releases from three yesterday, and he was really strong and aggressive driving to the rim.

It's not very likely that he wins, but I feel like his best is good enough to be in the conversation.
I think his last three games are closer to his skill level than the start:

28 pts, 12 ast/1.3 to, 5.7 reb, 2 stl, 1.3 blk, + 50, 59.9 ts %, 2 threes a game on 35.3 %, 7.7 free throw attempts on 69.6 % (that % is below his actual level).

If you are at around 28 pts, 10+ ast, 6 rebs, some steals, blocks, solid defense, good +/-, advanced stats and you get 50+ wins you are in the conversation. We'll see, I just don't see too much talent in the Pistons squad, so it's going to rely a lot on Cade.

[Profound23]

Welp Jokic is MVP again.

Regardless of how the vote goes.

He just doesn't stop.

So 34 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds

is for sure better than

33 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and the game winner?

[Alatan]

Welp Jokic is MVP again.

Regardless of how the vote goes.

He just doesn't stop.

So 34 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds

is for sure better than

33 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and the game winner?

If you are going to include Giannises 2 steals its only consistent to include Jokics 2 blocks and 4 steals...

Just saying.

[Infinite Llamas]

Welp Jokic is MVP again.

Regardless of how the vote goes.

He just doesn't stop.

So 34 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds

is for sure better than

33 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and the game winner?

If you are going to include Giannises 2 steals its only consistent to include Jokics 2 blocks and 4 steals...

Just saying.

Indiana was missing, like, 4 of their 6 best players too. The fact it was as close as it was is baffling in its own right.

[Profound23]

Welp Jokic is MVP again.

Regardless of how the vote goes.

He just doesn't stop.

So 34 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds

is for sure better than

33 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and the game winner?

If you are going to include Giannises 2 steals its only consistent to include Jokics 2 blocks and 4 steals...

Just saying.

Fair, I just don't see why either player is a lock over the other. Feels like every year Giannis gets so much disrespect when they're at least very similar when it comes to impact on the game.

[CharityStripe34]

Gianni's knee clearly was bothering him which is why he's going at half-speed on defense much of the time. Doubtful he plays in tonight's SEGABABA at Toronto.