Reigning Kia MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is among 10 names to watch in 2025-26.

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Many are called, few are chosen. Just one, actually.

That would be the Kia Most Valuable Player each NBA season, the chance to be crowned the most significant player in the game, an honor that virtually punches a Hall of Fame ticket, grants elevation among the greats, and, last but not least, spawns untold riches for untold years.

There are no set guidelines to qualify for the award, although the following will make the panel of voters swoon: Finish among the league’s top scorers, rebounders or in assists or blocks (or, better yet, a combination of the above). Be the centerpiece on a 50-game winner (or close enough) and threaten to snatch a top seed in the conference. Ace the endurance test (and play at least 65 games) and it also helps to sell tickets and boost TV ratings.

That’s all. Pretty simple.

Just not easy.

With the 2025-26 season ready to reveal itself, the MVP candidates will be placed in two categories: the usual suspects … and the potential surprises. In most seasons, two serious candidates will distance themselves from the pack by the final month. Then it’s up to the eventual winner to stand up.

This time, will there be drama like last season — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić generated plenty of heated debate — or a clear-cut favorite, like the seasons in which Stephen Curry (the only unanimous winner) and LeBron James won?

Here is NBA.com’s preseason MVP Watch, with 10 candidates, listed alphabetically, who’ll most likely arm wrestle for the most cherished individual award in hoops (listing subject to change, of course):

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Check out some of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s best dunks from 2024-25.

One of the prerequisites for an MVP candidate is to do heavy lifting, and for his sake, Antetokounmpo better bring a strong back and knees this season. For only the second time since 2018, he won’t enter the season with an All-Star teammate. Therefore, there’s little debate that turning the 2025-26 Bucks into contenders will be Antetokounmpo’s biggest challenge.

And that ties directly into his MVP chances. The two-time winner and only player to finish top-four in the voting in each of the last seven seasons will certainly have the necessary big numbers to strengthen his case. Antetokounmpo, the primary scoring option on a team that lacks a strong No. 2 scorer, should reach double figures in rebounding for a ninth straight season and he remains a force defensively. But where will the Bucks sit at season’s end?

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

He’s among the league’s best scoring point guards who bails out his team in the clutch, plays in the biggest media market for a projected contender. That describes Brunson and his expected qualifications for this award, all of which should allow him to collect votes. Two seasons ago, he finished fourth in the voting, ahead of Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards.

This season, Brunson plays for a new coach, but will that help (or hurt) his chances? New Knicks head coach Mike Brown embraces a share-the-ball philosophy, which means there could be fewer touches for Brunson. In that sense, Brunson could polish his passing and hike his assist totals to juice his MVP argument.

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

With a breakout season freshly behind him, Cunningham now embarks on new adventures and goals, all of which are attainable. Can the Pistons win 50 games and spark a basketball renaissance in Detroit? Can Cunningham improve on the 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game in 2024-25? Yes and yes.

He’s new to this MVP game, though, and players in his position often find themselves needing some additional proof of authenticity beyond one standout season. Cunningham is certainly capable of shattering that theory, especially if the Pistons pull a surprise and spend a good portion of the season in the East attic.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Of all the “uncs” who continue to thrive in the league deep into their 30s, Curry brings a solid argument for being the leader of that rat pack and therefore the most qualified to steal an MVP. He remains a certified 3-point beast and often is the most dangerous scorer on the floor, regardless of whom the Warriors are playing that night.

The two-time MVP will battle a pair of forces: can he maintain a high level of shooting efficiency at age 37, and will the Warriors generate enough wins? Neither were issues over much of the previous decade, but this ain’t 2015 anymore, either.

Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Dončić says he’s looking forward to his first full season with the Lakers.

Of all the candidates who’ve never won MVP, he’s the unofficial favorite to get his first. You might suggest “it’s his turn,” even though voters cringe at that sentiment. Dončić is certainly capable of making it an easy decision for voters; that’s how talented he is offensively — and maybe he’s improved defensively? — and how much is on the line for him in 2025-26.

Energized by an offseason of whipping himself into the best shape of his life, and anxiously awaiting a full season with the Lakers, there’s every reason to look favorably in Dončić’s direction should he and the Lakers prosper.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Is this the year? Much like Dončić, the 24-year-old Edwards seems poised to grab this award at least once in his career. His game continues to mature, all while his appetite for success grows. Edwards makes no secret of his desire to be the best player in the game and he’s certainly in the top-10 discussion.

Edwards has taken the Wolves to back-to-back conference finals trips, but this is a regular-season award. That means it’ll help his case if the Wolves finish top three in a very competitive West and if Edwards finishes among the NBA’s scoring leaders while also enhancing his other skills and defense.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander talks about his hoops journey, his rise to Kia MVP status and more on ‘Pass the Rock.’

How do you top a scoring title, All-Star starter, first team All-NBA, Finals MVP and a championship? Shai doesn’t need to run the table again to go back-to-back MVPs; that’s the good news. Even better, he’s firmly in his prime and capable of a solid follow-up to 2024 which will generate votes and serious consideration for the award.

Even better-better, OKC is coming off 68 wins and almost assured of a top-two or three finish in the West standings, which means Shai will have the support of team success. Also in his favor: The last 15 years produced four back-to-back winners — LeBron James, Giannis, Curry and Nikola Jokić — so the “voter fatigue” claim is mostly a myth.

Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Check out some of the best plays from Nikola Jokić during the 2024-25 season.

The sheer individual dominance is impressive and legendary — Jokić has three MVPs since 2021 and finished runner-up in the voting the two seasons he didn’t win. He remains in his prime and on his A-game (he averaged a triple-double last season and is the only center to do so) and was top-three in scoring, rebounds and assists in 2024-25.

If the prediction from NBA general managers in our GM survey proves true, Jokić will join a select company (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan and James) and win his fourth MVP. At this point, the worst that could happen is another runner-up spot.

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

He’s already an established star and the unquestioned leader of the post-LeBron Cavaliers. He takes over games, posts solid numbers and has shown he can elevate his team to the East’s upper crust. All of that will fortify his MVP candidacy and include him in the top-five conversation throughout much of the season.

What Mitchell must convince everyone is that he’s beyond being merely good. He’ll need to take the next step to generate some best-in-the-game type-chatter. That seems a bit ambitious for a player with one All-NBA First Team nod to his name, but its not out of the question.

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

He has recovered from a blood clot that canceled his 2024-25 season after 46 games and is ready to resume his growth. Some of that growth happened over the summer as he’s now listed at 7-foot-5, giving him another inch in height and a leg up on the competition. His potential and ceiling remain frightening at age 21 (the youngest MVP winners are Derrick Rose and Wes Unseld at 22).

The ability to shoot with range, run the floor, deftly dribble for his height and block shots makes him the ultimate freak. The betting money is that Wemby will win this award at least once in his career. Whether it starts now will rest with a handful of factors: Will the Spurs morsel his minutes and games, will the team win enough games, and will he have big enough numbers across the board (25-plus scoring, 10-plus rebounds, two-plus blocks, etc.) to compete with the top candidates?

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.