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Three-time Kia MVP Nikola Joki\u0107 and Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama (left) could be in the MVP hunt in 2025-26.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0Download the NBA App<\/a><\/p>\n There\u2019s an ongoing tug of war with the MVP trophy, and it\u2019s not between American vs. American<\/a>, or even international vs. American.<\/p>\n As of now, the NBA\u2019s most prestigious individual award is firmly in the grasp of international players, and this trend is likely to continue through the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n The last American winner\u00a0was in 2018<\/a> (James Harden). Since then, the internationals have taken ownership not only of the award but also of the top levels of voting. Last season, for example, the top three vote-getters were internationals: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Joki\u0107 and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The last time an American-born player was a finalist \u2014 top three in the voting \u2014 was Stephen Curry (third) in 2020-21<\/a>.<\/p>\n That suggests dominance and a monopoly. Remember, too, that most of the international contenders are still in their prime.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how the top five internationals stack up, listed alphabetically, in the chase for the Kia MVP in the upcoming season:<\/p>\n Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Milwaukee Bucks<\/p>\n He won two MVPs<\/a> before turning 26, joining only LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and has remained in the conversation for the award ever since winning his second in 2020. If not for Joki\u0107, there\u2019s no question Antetokounmpo would have at least one more MVP.<\/p>\n The reason he remains a favorite is obvious, as few players bring his impact at both ends of the floor. Antetokounmpo is premier in that regard and shows no signs of slowing down. In the last four seasons, all non-MVP years, Antetokounmpo has averaged 30.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.<\/p>\n His biggest roadblock entering 2025-26 is his team\u2019s potential. The Bucks haven\u2019t blessed him with quality help since their 2021 title<\/a>. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez aged, the draft failed to bring young help and Jrue Holiday was swapped for Damian Lillard (who didn\u2019t work out and was waived<\/a>). Antetokounmpo might need more than Myles Turner to contend for a top seed in the East.<\/p>\n Luka Don\u010di\u0107 (Slovenia), Los Angeles Lakers<\/p>\n How far will the Lakers go in 2025-26 around superstar Luka Don\u010di\u0107?<\/p>\n Of all the non-MVP winners in the NBA, he seems the most likely to snatch the trophy, and could grab multiple MVPs before his career is done. A better-conditioned Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> with full leadership of the Lakers \u2014 it\u2019s his team now, LeBron \u2014 will put him in a prime position in 2025-26<\/a>.<\/p>\n Don\u010di\u0107 is one of only a handful of players capable of averaging a triple-double, which by itself makes him a strong candidate. If he does that while leading the league in scoring or assists and winning 50 games? That would be hard for anyone else to beat.<\/p>\n If Don\u010di\u0107 puts himself in the MVP mix \u2014 he finished third in the voting two seasons ago<\/a> \u2014 he\u2019ll have the edge with some voters, who might insist it\u2019s Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s turn if that race is tight. By prioritizing fitness, Don\u010di\u0107 realizes his time is now.<\/p>\n Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Oklahoma City Thunder<\/p>\n Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined elite company in winning regular-season & Finals MVP awards while also claiming the scoring title.<\/p>\n The reigning MVP<\/a> is on a hot buttered roll right now, after collecting every major award and honor in 2024-25 en route to the NBA title<\/a>. The game has never come easier for him than now.<\/p>\n He\u2019ll insert himself in the MVP discussion if he\u2019s still among the scoring leaders and contributing defensively. Of course, the team\u2019s performance, which gave him the edge in last season\u2019s MVP race, will weigh heavily. In that sense, Gilgeous-Alexander might have an advantage over the field, considering the Thunder remain young and formidable.<\/p>\n Repeating as MVP can be tricky because, fair or not, you\u2019re judged to a degree based on what you did the previous season. It\u2019s tough to imagine Gilgeous-Alexander topping \u201924-25. But if he comes close, he can make a strong repeat case.<\/p>\n Nikola Joki\u0107 (Serbia), Denver Nuggets<\/p>\n He was a top-two MVP finisher the last five years (which made history<\/a>) and has three career MVPs<\/a>. And it\u2019s possible that the best is yet to come. That\u2019s where Joki\u0107 is at, and what we\u2019re witnessing is a legendary stretch.<\/p>\n Joki\u0107 has all the qualifications necessary for a fourth MVP. The Nuggets, after a summer retooling, are poised for another 50-win season and could grab a top-two seed. Joki\u0107 remains on top of his game and is coming off a season where he ranked No. 3 in scoring (29.6 ppg<\/a>) and rebounding (12.7 rpg<\/a>) and No. 2 in assists (10.2 apg<\/a>) and steals (1.8 spg<\/a>).<\/p>\n The only possible factor going against him is voter fatigue, although he could gain voter sympathy after his runner-up finishes. Either way, it will be a major surprise if \u201cThe Joker\u201d isn\u2019t in the conversation.<\/p>\n Victor Wembanyama (France), San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n Too soon? Perhaps, but only just a bit. Everyone knows that once the Spurs start contending, Wemby will be a fixture in the conversation for MVP. It\u2019s just a matter of when.<\/p>\n He seems poised right now to rattle off multiple Kia Defensive Player of the Year awards regardless of where the Spurs fall in the standings, and likely would\u2019ve captured the award last season had he reached the 65-game minimum required for consideration.<\/p>\n He\u2019s already a factor defensively (which will enhance his MVP chances), and his offense is developing quickly. Wembanyama is equipped to average 25 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, along with a handful of assists and steals. Coupled with winning, that\u2019s an MVP-flavored formula.<\/p>\n * * *<\/p>\n Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him\u00a0here<\/a>, find\u00a0his archive here<\/a>\u00a0and follow him on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.<\/p>\n