Three NBA Superstars Who Could Take Home the 2026-27 MVP
With just over a month until the 2026-2027 NBA season tips off, this is a great time to put in some predictions. Rosters have filled up, and countless free agency moves have been completed. Following these changes, international players will continue to set the bar for teammates and competitors alike. In fact, three of those superstars are my favorites to win the biggest individual honor, the Michael Jordan Trophy. All of the following players have unique skill sets, all have led their teams to recent success, and all play in the Western Conference. The first two names I will mention may be considered popular or “chalky,” and I believe that they have put themselves in a tier of their own right now. However, the third name on this list is my personal dark horse with a legit path to being named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
My first selection in this shortlist is none other than Victor Wembanyama. Last season, the seven-foot-four Frenchman continued to build on his second-year leap from 2025 and finished third in the voting for MVP. This physical specimen didn’t go home without any hardware, as he collected both the Defensive Player of the Year and the Western Conference Finals MVP honors. Whoever believes that the Knicks “figured him out” or that any team has become able to neutralize him is fooling themselves. If anything, Wembanyama will enter his fourth NBA season having further adjusted to the difference in playstyles between the United States and Europe. I expect ‘The Alien’ to have improved offensive numbers, and if the Spurs finish as the top seed in the West, he’d probably take this trophy home.
A co-favorite for winning the MVP should be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City’s championship window will never shut as long as SGA remains healthy, even after retooling their bench this offseason. The variety of his arsenal as the primary ball-handler makes Gilgeous-Alexander extremely difficult to guard, and his court vision coupled with his passing ability makes defensive adjustments hard. There is no reason to believe that the Canadian will slow down, and with vengeance in his mind following last year’s Conference Finals, SGA is a lock for MVP frontrunner status.
Last, but definitely not least, this player oozes with talent that’s arguably on par with the rest. Luka Doncic will have the full reins to the Los Angeles Lakers this season, but that’s not the main reason I’m optimistic about how well the Slovenian will play. Based on workout videos posted across numerous social media platforms, Doncic looks in the best shape of his life. Much like Nikola Jokic, one of the few questions has been fitness, or lack thereof. ‘Luka Magic’ has definitely slimmed down, which should translate to better stamina and an increased ability to exert effort on defense. Everyone knows about his offensive abilities, so as long as those numbers match the talent, the Lakers make the playoffs, and there really is an improvement from pedestrian defense, don’t be surprised if Doncic is your MVP for 2027.
