Who are the names to know for the NBA’s top individual honor in the upcoming season?

If you trust recent NBA history, there are only three viable candidates for the 2025-26 MVP award: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and champion; Anthony Edwards, who has reached the Western Conference finals in consecutive seasons; and surprisingly, Evan Mobley.

While this might seem unexpected, Mobley fits the trend seen in MVP voting over recent years. LeBron James last won in 2012, and since then, MVPs have generally been between the ages of 24 and 28 and have made First- or Second-Team All-NBA in the prior season.

The Favorites:

The clear frontrunners include Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, and Nikola Jokić. Gilgeous-Alexander, while having the shortest odds, may not represent the best value among these favorites due to the challenges of repeating as MVP.

• Jokić brings proven consistency, being a top performer and safe bet, particularly as the Nuggets work to close the standings gap with the Thunder.

The Middle of the Pack:

• Anthony Edwards is a smart bet due to his rising profile and ability to score highlighted by his performance last season in the right age range for MVP contenders.

• On the other hand, Jordan will need significant improvements to elevate his MVP candidacy, paired with favorable team conditions.

Long Shots:

Despite the odds, the East features potential candidates such as Cade Cunningham, Trae Young, and Joel Embiid, highlighting emerging conversations around possible contenders.

Each of these players has viable breakout scenarios that are critically tied to performance and team success throughout the season.