16 players who could take home the NBA MVP, ranked
16. Ben Simmons, F
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
2018-19 stats: 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 56.3% FG
Vegas odds: 50/1
How he could win MVP: The keys to the 76ers offense have essentially been handed over to Ben Simmons this year. The third-year point-forward figures to primarily handle the ball, and he'll have to do so effectively in a loaded Sixers lineup that's a little light on shooting. Simmons could improve their offense if the jumper he showed off over the summer is a real thing. If Joel Embiid misses time or rests more often this season, and if the Sixers compete for the No. 1 seed in the East, Simmons has a shot at MVP, so long as he makes the leap expected of a franchise star.
15. Russell Westbrook, G
Team: Houston Rockets
2018-19 stats: 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 1.9 steals, 42.8% FG
Vegas odds: 12/1
How he could win MVP: Westbrook averaged a triple-double for a third straight year and finished 10th in MVP voting last year. This year, he figures to put up lesser stats alongside James Harden, making his MVP path a little more cloudy. But if Westbrook puts together the kind of all-around, efficient season many in the NBA world have wanted to see from him by moving off the ball, shooting a solid three-point percentage, and defending vigorously, he could end up surprising voters. Perhaps it's even Harden who sacrifices more for Westbrook. The 2016-17 MVP is too talented to leave off this list, though the odds are still stacked against him.
14. Donovan Mitchell, G
Team: Utah Jazz
2018-19 stats: 23.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 43.2% FG, 36.2% 3FG
Vegas odds: 50/1
How he could win MVP: The additions of Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic should make life easier on Donovan Mitchell this year. Mitchell should be able to focus more on scoring, spreading the floor, and acting as a secondary ball-handler. He's also coming off a strong showing with Team USA at the World Cup (despite the team's early exit from the tournament), which in years past has led to breakout seasons for young players. The Jazz will be competing for a top-four seed in the West, and if Mitchell is their best player, he'll receive some buzz.
13. Luka Doncic, G
Team: Dallas Mavericks
2018-19 stats: 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 42.7% FG, 32.7% 3FG
Vegas odds: 50/1
How he could win MVP: Luka Doncic is already a beloved player in the basketball world and will be looking to take a step forward after an impressive rookie campaign. If Doncic takes a leap and averages a LeBron James-esque 27-7-7 (not so far-fetched) while leading the Mavs to a playoff seed, he'll certainly receive some buzz. But how good can these Mavs be? It's tough to imagine them fighting for a top-five seed in the West, making Doncic a long-shot.
12. Paul George, F
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2018-19 stats: 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.2 steals, 43.8% FG, 38.6% 3FG
Vegas odds: 12/1
How he could win MVP: Paul George will miss the beginning of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Depending on how much time he misses, it will be a knock against him in the eyes of some MVP voters. George also figures to play second fiddle to Kawhi Leonard, a role more natural for George, as it will allow him to space the floor, create for others, and defend harder. He finished third in MVP voting last year. It's tough to imagine George ending up back there, barring an injury to Leonard or some kind of role reversal on the Clippers.
11. Jimmy Butler, G/F
Team: Miami Heat
2018-19 stats: 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.9 steals, 46.2% FG, 34.7% 3FG
Vegas odds: 100/1
How he could win MVP: Jimmy Butler has the benefit of being the lone star player on a team that should contend for a playoff spot. It's unclear just how good the Heat will be, but the East is wide open after the top two seeds. If the Heat fight for a top-four seed and Butler averages something like 25-5-5 while playing his usual rugged defense, why can't he be in the race?
10. Kyrie Irving, G
Team: Brooklyn Nets
2018-19 stats: 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 48.7% FG, 40.1% 3FG
Vegas odds: 50/1
How he could win MVP: Like Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving is also the lone star on a good team, at least for a year, as Kevin Durant rehabs his torn Achilles. Irving had one of his best on-court seasons last year while simultaneously having his worst off-court season, tanking the Celtics chemistry with what he admitted was shoddy leadership. This year, he has the benefit of a redemption arc. If Irving can boost his numbers a bit and help the Nets fight for home-court advantage in the playoffs, he could truly be in the running for MVP.
9. James Harden, G
Team: Houston Rockets
2018-19 stats: 36.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 44.2% FG, 36.8% 3FG
Vegas odds: 9/2
How he could win MVP: Perhaps we're foolish for having James Harden this far down, but things aren't necessarily stacking up in his favor. He won't repeat his monster 2018-19 season, due to A) Russell Westbrook now being on the team; and B) The Rockets lightening his load this year. Harden, who has finished in the top three in MVP voting the last three years (winning it in 2017-18), may also be subject to some voter fatigue, especially after he and the Rockets publicly griped about him not winning the award last year. For Harden to take home a second MVP, he may have to produce big numbers with better efficiency while the Rockets nab the No. 1 seed. It just doesn't seem likely.
8. Damian Lillard, G
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
2018-19 stats: 25.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 44.4% FG, 36.9% 3FG
Vegas odds: 25/1
How he could win MVP: Over the last four seasons, only three players have averaged 25-4-6 or better on 36% three-point shooting — Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Damian Lillard. The Blazers star guard has some of the most solid counting stats in the league over the past four seasons, and he has the chance to garner votes as the clear-cut superstar on a perennial playoff team. If Lillard aims for the scoring title (certainly possible) and the Blazers win 50-plus games, he's got a shot at MVP.
7. Nikola Jokic, C
Team: Denver Nuggets
2018-19 stats: 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 51.1% FG, 30.7% 3FG
Vegas odds: 10/1
How he could win MVP: Nikola Jokic could climb this list quickly if he and the Nuggets take the proverbial next step. Jokic will have to do a little more scoring, and the Nuggets will have to be a top-three team in the West, but Jokic certainly has the narrative case if he can lead a Western Conference contender without a superstar teammate.
6. Kawhi Leonard, F
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2018-19 stats: 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 49.6% FG, 37.1% 3FG
Vegas odds: 12/1
How he could win MVP: Kawhi Leonard figures to be the go-to guy on the Clippers: he's their best scorer and their best lock-down defender. After he was mostly excluded from last year's MVP race due to "load management," Leonard has said he won't be resting as often this year. Leonard could top last year's numbers (the best of his career) and lead the Clippers to the No. 1 seed in the West, making him a true favorite for the award. The only drawbacks are if his numbers are impacted by sharing the ball with George and the Clippers' deep bench and if he decides to hold back a bit until the postseason begins.
5. Joel Embiid, C
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
2018-19 stats: 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.9 blocks, 48.4% FG, 30.0% 3FG
Vegas odds: 25/1
How he could win MVP: Joel Embiid put up prime-Shaq numbers last year in the healthiest season of his career so far. He said he worked on his body and conditioning this summer to better handle the rigors of the season. With the Sixers positioned to fight for the top seed in the East and Embiid dominating both sides of the court, he has a clear path to MVP. The only concern is Embiid playing too few games because of injury or rest.
4. LeBron James, F
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
2018-19 stats: 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 51.0% FG, 33.9% 3FG
Vegas odds: 12/1
How he could win MVP: Make no mistake: even with Anthony Davis alongside him, LeBron James could easily get some buzz if he has a typical LeBron season. Last year was James' worst season in a decade, and he still averaged 27-8-8. James will cede some of the workload to Davis, but he will still have to be an elite playmaker for this Lakers team to work. If James can stay healthy, shoot efficiently, and defend with a bit more gusto while the Lakers win around 55 games, he will have a true case for MVP. He'll also own an emotional appeal over some voters who would love to see James prove he's still an elite force in the league.
3. Anthony Davis, F/C
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
2018-19 stats: 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.4 blocks, 51.7% FG, 33.1% 3FG
Vegas odds: 10/1
How he could win MVP: While LeBron James could steal some MVP buzz with a vintage season, this year will be all about Anthony Davis in Lakerland. After forcing his way out of New Orleans, all eyes will be on Davis to redeem what was an ugly ending with the Pelicans. He's one of the five most talented players in the league, and he has a case for the most talented. Davis averaged a career-high in assists last year, has added more to his offensive repertoire each year, and said his goal this season is to win Defensive Player of the Year. If Davis averages something like 28-12-4 with elite defense on a good Lakers team, he'll earn a lot of votes.
2. Stephen Curry, G
Team: Golden State Warriors
2018-19 stats: 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 47.2% FG, 43.7% 3FG
Vegas odds: 4/1
How he could win MVP: With Kevin Durant out of town and Klay Thompson likely out until February, it's Stephen Curry's show in San Francisco. Expect to see Curry as aggressive as he was in 2015-16 when he lit up the league for 30 points per game and broke the record for three-pointers made in a season. We've already gotten a glimpse of it, with Curry scoring 40 points in three quarters of a preseason game.
There is some concern the Warriors won't be good enough for Curry to win MVP — there are at least five teams that look better than them at the moment. That could change in the second half of the season if the Warriors are healthy and Curry is playing well. The NBA world will love to see Curry, now the oldest member of Golden State, have a throwback year.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, F
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
2018-19 stats: 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks, 57.8% FG
Vegas odds: 7/2
How he could win MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo has the clearest path to winning MVP for a second straight year: the Bucks should walk into the No. 1 or 2 seed in the East, he's the lone superstar on a title contender, and there is obvious room for growth in his game. Antetokounmpo is the game's most unstoppable force going to the basket, but all eyes will be on whether he can hit three-pointers at a consistent clip. He showed a bit of that in the playoffs last year, hitting 32.7% of his attempts and occasionally making opponents who sagged off of him pay. That's all he needs. If he can do that a bit more this season — the Bucks insist he can — it will be a noticeable development. What would the Greek Freak look like if he's averaging something like 28-12-6 on 50% shooting, 33% from three, while playing elite defense on a No. 1 seed? The MVP favorite.
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