MVP battle! Nine candidates! Who is the strongest?

MVP is the most discussed individual award in the NBA. As the 2025-26 season approaches, many superstars in the league have entered the MVP competition. Looking back at the MVP battle over the past few years, the competition is quite fierce.

Reference several key factors in the MVP selection:

First is playing time. Under the current 65 attendance threshold, players who miss too many games cannot run; secondly, the number of wins in the regular season. Although MVP is an individual award, the team's record still has a potential impact on the selection to a greater or lesser extent. Referring to the Thunder winning 18 more games than the Nuggets last season, this gap also played a bonus point for Alexander in the selection.

In addition, modern basketball's data indicators are more comprehensive than before. From shooting efficiency to offense plus or negative values, every high-order data may determine the ownership of the final MVP.

In these contexts, here are some of the candidates who are most likely to occupy a place on the 2026 MVP list:

Mitchell

Mitchell fell slightly in scoring and usage last year, but the Cavaliers performed well enough in the regular season, which also gave him a chance to win the MVP for the new season.

To win the MVP, Mitchell first needs to maintain a stable projection. Last season, he averaged 9 three-pointers per game, with a shooting percentage of 36.8%. This data is quite excellent while ensuring production. However, in order to win MVP, the three-point shooting percentage in the new season needs to be at least close to 40%.

In addition, his finishing ability at the basket also needs to be improved. Statistics show that Mitchell's shooting percentage within one meter of the basket was only 60%, down 10% from the previous three seasons. The free throw data is stable, with 7.8 free throws per 100 rounds, but there is still room for improvement from the MVP level.

Overall, Mitchell is the candidate with the most MVP potential in the Cavaliers, and he will assume the dual responsibilities of the team's regular season win and offensive engine. As long as you stay healthy and competitive, Mitchell has a chance to go to MVP. Edwards has been hailed as one of the league's most explosive scorers since becoming the No. 1 pick. Last season, he has obviously grown into a top scorer in the league, shooting 320 three-pointers, with the highest number of shots in the league, with a shooting percentage of 39.5%.

With the team's two consecutive years of entering the Western Conference Finals and entering the top seven of MVPs twice, Edwards is about to usher in a 24-year-old transformation season. But the Timberwolves' lineup structure also brings more challenges to his MVP path. Randall and Gobert occupy the frontcourt position and limited offensive space, which also increases Edwards' offensive pressure.

Despite the difficult team environment, Edwards' scoring efficiency and offensive decisions are still improving, and the new season is about to transform into a full-scale scorer. If the team's space problem can be solved, Edwards has every potential to start rushing to MVP.

Brunson

He has been the core of the team since Brunson joined the Knicks. He led the team into the playoffs many times in the past few seasons and broke through the threshold of the Eastern Conference Finals last season. This is a considerable breakthrough for the Knicks, but for the team's management and fans, we still hope to see more breakthroughs.

Last season, Brunson took into account both high usage rate (29.5%) and high efficiency (real shooting percentage 60.5%), with an assist rate of 32.3%, and a turnover rate of only 10.5%. The three-point shooting percentage of the ball was as high as 50% last season, and the individual data far exceeded the 32% of the three-point shooting percentage with the ball.

If the Knicks can make the most of Brunson's off-ball running ability in the new season and let Towns or Bridges take on more organizational tasks, Brunson is likely to become the most eye-catching name in the Eastern MVP discussion.

Mori Kyo

For the 23-year-old Mori Kyo, he is one of the candidates for potential MVP in the NBA in the future. After taking over the team's core last season, he made significant progress on both offense and defense, and Durant's joining in the new season will also have the opportunity to create more scoring space for Shin Kyung.

If Morikyo can further improve on the scoring and organizational ends in the new season, he is fully capable of leading the Rockets to become the most competitive young dark horse in the West. Especially after the European Cup training in the offseason, the big man is in the rising period of his career, and the MVP trophy may only be a matter of time.

Wenban Yama

For Wenban Yama, his MVP potential naturally does not need to be questioned, the key lies in time. The blood clot caused him to miss the second half of last season. If he can return healthy in the new season, he will have a great chance of reaching the peak of his career in advance.

Although the Spurs have limited offensive space in the new season, which may force his offense to turn more to the outside, as the best defensive player and the team's core offensive player, Wenban Yama has already arranged enough helpers around him, and the new season is gradually having the potential to challenge MVP. It may be a bit too early to look forward to MVP in the third year of his career, but he is definitely the core of the future league.

Antesco

Entering the new season, the Bucks have two possibilities: either fail directly or continue to adjust the lineup around Antesco. The competition in the East is fierce, and Antetokounmpo is still the top player in the league.

Antetokounmpo, who is about to turn 31 in December this year, has won MVP honors twice and has been among the top three of the MVP list for seven consecutive seasons. In the new season, he will take on the team's dual offense and defense tasks again, and may even need to play more of the point guard role. If you stay healthy, Antetokounmpo will still be the safest MVP choice.

Doncic

As the protagonist of the big trade last season, he is full of revenge for Doncic's new season. The 26-year-old Lakers' new core needs a full season to prove to the world that the former boss traded him was a wrong decision.

As a super high-use ball holder, Doncic's advantage lies in scoring and attacking and organizational tandem. The Lakers' supporting cast has significantly enhanced after the offseason, and Doncic will become the new core after James. If he can lead the Lakers to a record advantage, he is expected to continue his previous outstanding results and make the MVP list.

Jokic

Jokic is currently considered the strongest player in recent years. Although last season, his stability and comprehensiveness as the core of the league are still at the top level of the league. After the offseason, the Nuggets have added shooting threat points to the wings, and Jokic's offensive tandem will be more threatening. Even though he is not very interested in MVP, as long as he can play healthy throughout the season, he is still a strong contender for this award. The only hidden danger may be his 65-game limit.

Alexander

Last season, Alexander led the team to the championship and officially entered the ranks of top defenders. As a new MVP, although his three-point shooting and organizational skills are slightly inferior to Doncic, his offensive ability has been tested by any opponent last season. If the new season continues to perform well, the probability of Alexander winning the MVP again is still extremely high.

Compared with the above players, Alexander's advantage lies mainly in the Thunder. As the champion team, he successfully retained the championship team during the offseason. Under the outstanding team, Alexander's personal value can naturally be better highlighted. The championship last season was just the beginning. He and the Thunder are still the core of the MVP discussion that cannot be ignored in the new season.