With the NBA season quickly approaching, here are my top three choices, along with three dark horses, to win the award this season.
Luka DončIć
Breakthrough season
A year ago, Luka DončIć had an unbelievable season. He averaged 28.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG and 8.7 APG. DončIć made a name for himself during the playoffs, where he went off in 15 games as he averaged 31.7 PPG, 9.8 RPG 6.4 APG. He led the Dallas Mavericks to two improbable upsets over the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns in the playoffs.
The Maverick's historic playoffs ended in the West Conference against the Golden State Warriors 4-1. Their ability to shoot threes got them past the two previous rounds. However, that became their Achilles heel against the Warriors. The Mavericks didn't hit their 3's, and the Warriors ran them out of the building while DončIć didn't get any help other than Jalen Brusen.
EuroBasket
DončIć's momentum continued in the summer as he put on a show during the Euro Basketball tournament. He averaged 26 PPG, 7.7RPG 6.6 APG. DončIć made history against France with 47 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in just 38 minutes to lead Slovenia in a 88-82 win over France in EuroBasket 2022.
It was the second-highest scoring performance in EuroBasket history but is the most points by a player in a single game in the last 65 years. Ironically it came after Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 41 for Greece to tie for the highest-scoring performance since Dirk Nowitzki dropped 41 with Germany in 2001. Despite a historic run for Luka DončIć and Slovenia, it ended disappointingly with a loss to Poland. Slovenia finished sixth in the EuroBasket tournament.
I anticipate DončIć will have a massive year if he remains healthy this season. He could win the MVP. The Mavericks acquired two underrated players in the offseason Christian Wood via a trade. They also signed Tyler Dorsey after he had an impressive run with Greece in the EuroBasket tournament.
Odds:
Bet365 $450
Fanduel +500
DraftKings +425
Bet MGM +500
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Elite company
It took Giannis Antetokounmpo a couple of years to find himself. It all started to click in 2019 when he won his first MVP. Then he went back-to-back with the NBA MVP in 2020 and won the Defensive Player of the Year award.
NBA Finals
He did the unthinkable and led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Championship over the Phoenix Suns in 2021, down 0-2 to win the series in seven games. In Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Antetokounmpo had a killer instinct. In 42 minutes he finished with 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. Shockingly, Antetokounmpo finished 17-19 from the free-throw line. Antetokounmpo's historic performance earned him the NBA Finals MVP. He absolutely deserves to be considered one of the best players in the NBA. His numbers never lie, and he continues to produce on a nightly basis. Antetokounmpo averaged 29.9 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 5.6 APG last season.
Bad luck
The Milwaukee Bucks were seemingly on their way to back-to-back NBA Finals. Unfortunately, Khris Middleton sustained an MCL injury in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Bucks advanced to the second round where they fell short 4-3 to the Boston Celtics. The Bucks could quite possibly have back-to-back NBA finals appearances if Middleton didn't get injured.
EuroBasket
Despite having an early exit in the NBA playoffs, Giannis performed at the highest level in the summer during the EuroBasket tournament. He averaged 29.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG 4.7 APG. The Greek Freak exploded for 41 points against Ukraine as they made light work of them 99-79. Greece dominated every team during the tournament. They were undefeated until they ran into Germany.
Disappointment
Germany shocked the world when they upset Greece to advance to the semi-finals of the EuroBasket tournament. Germany was hot all game long from deep, as they shot 55% compared to 31% for Greece. Giannis showed up with 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. However, he was frustrated as he picked up two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, the last two of which led to his ejection with 4:56 left in the game.
Motivation
Giannis will use this fuel to have a great season with the Bucks, as I expect them to remain a top team in the Eastern Conference and have a deep run in the NBA Playoffs. Antetokounmpo is still in his prime at 27 years old, so the league better watch out.
Odds
Bet365 +500
Fanduel +700
DraftKings +600
Bet MGM +750
Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić is the winner of back-to-back MVP awards. He is the second consecutive international player to win two in a row since Giannis Antetokounmpo back in 2019 and 2020. Jokić averaged 27.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG and 7.9 APG last season.
Versatility
He carried the Denver Nuggets on his back with no Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. The Joker became the first NBA player to set 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a season. The Nuggets rewarded their two-time MVP with a five-year supermax deal and $264 Million. This deal is the richest in NBA history.
EuroBasket
Jokić led Serbia, averaging 21.7 PPG, 10 RPG, and 4.3 APG. Italy shocked the world when they defeated Serbia in the round of 16 94-86. Marco Spissu went off in the second half with 19 of his 22 points in the final 20 minutes. Nikola Jokic's 32 points and 13 rebounds as Serbia came up short.
History
Nikola Jokic could pull off this impossible feat of winning the MVP three years in a row. Larry Bird was the last NBA player to achieve this (1984-1986). The Denver Nuggets always have too many questions about their team. One thing to never question is Jokic's ability to fill the stat sheet.
Odds
Bet365 +1000
Fanduel +1000
DraftKings +900
Bet MGM +1000
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is the best scorer because he is always very efficient. He always gets to his spots and gets buckets whenever he wants. Durant averaged 29.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG 6.4 APG last season.
Going all in
The Brooklyn Nets pushed all their chips to the table with their big three of James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Unfortunately, this didn't go according to plan. Therefore Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia Sixers made a trade as they dealt Ben Simmons for James Harden. The Nets won that trade because they got Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and a couple of first-round picks.
Unfortunate circumstances
On paper, they should have had a deep playoff run last year, but that didn't happen. Ben Simmons suffered a back injury just before the playoffs and was out indefinitely. There was always drama involving Kyrie and his vaccine status, being unvaccinated and following covid protocols. They faced the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, a nightmare due to the Celtic's team chemistry.
Failure
The Nets got swept by the Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. It's now time for the Brooklyn Nets to have a massive year. I expect them to battle for the first seed in the Eastern Conference, but Kevin Durant needs to take his game to another level. In the offseason, he wanted to leave the Brooklyn Nets, but he changed his mind and decided to stay. Durant needs to lead this squad to the NBA finals, anything less would be a massive failure.
Odds
Bet365 +1000
Fanduel +1000
DraftKings +800
Bet MGM +950
Donovan Mitchell
Breaking through
Donovan Mitchell is on the verge of becoming a superstar. He is not there quite yet. This upcoming season will be his best year in the NBA. After years of flopping in the NBA Playoffs, Utah Jazz practically traded their whole team for draft picks. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 44 games last season. It was one of the biggest surprises of the year.
Young core and leadership
Mitchell averaged 25.9 PPG last season with the Utah Jazz. This team has a great nucleus of young players like Darius Garland, Jarett Allen and forward Evan Mobley. Mitchell signed a five-year, $163 million contract in 2020 and is under contract through the 2026 season. This acquisition could make the Cavaliers a top-three team in a deep Eastern Conference.
Odds
Bet365 +5000
Fanduel +6500
DraftKings +8000
Bet MGM +6700
Trae Young
Forever linked together
Trae Young's name will always get compared to Luka DončIć because they were from the same draft class in 2018. Luka was selected third overall, and Trae got chosen as the fifth pick. They got traded for each other, and their careers will forever be linked.
Comparison
Trae Young’s ability to shoot from deep is comparable to Stephen Curry. However, they are two different players because Curry can create off the dribble, and his handles are far superior to Young's. Young continues to improve, but what Young doesn't get enough credit for is his passing ability.
Getting help
The Atlanta Hawks have had limited playoff success for the last few years, but Trae Young needs help to get the Atlanta Hawks to the next level. The Hawks traded Danilo Gallinari and three first-round picks to the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray. I was shocked the Spurs gave up on Dejounte Murray because he is one of the great young shooting guards with massive potential. Murray averaged 21PPG, 8.3 RPG and 9.2 APG.
New year and expectations
Trae Young averaged 28.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 9.7 APG last year with the Hawks. His numbers might decrease while playing with Dejounte Murray, but it will help improve the team in terms of wins. They will be a very entertaining team to watch all year due to their transition offense. The Hawks have a loaded roster with a young core. I won't be shocked if they finish as a top-five team in the Eastern Conference and have a deep playoff run.
Odds
Bet365 +4000
Fanduel +4200
DraftKings +3500
Bet MGM +3100