SGA, Jokic Lead The Top 5 Contenders for the 2024-25 NBA MVP Award
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making a compelling case for the MVP award this season, as he continues to dominate on both ends of the floor, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the top of the Western Conference table and earning the franchise the title as the team to beat this season. Averaging 32.5 points per game - the highest in the NBA - along with 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists, SGA has been nothing short of spectacular. His efficiency has also been remarkable, shooting 52.3% from the field and 35.9% from long-range, cementing his status as one of the NBA’s most well-rounded offensive players in 2024-25.
What makes SGA’s MVP candidacy even stronger is the success of OKC this season. The Thunder lead the West by a commanding margin and with the team being on track to finish as the number one seed, it’s tough to make a solid case for a more deserving MVP recipient. Not only is he leading the league in scoring, but his presence on the court has been transformative, with the Thunder posting an incredible +18.5 net rating per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor.
While SGA’s offensive brilliance often gains most of the attention, it’s the improvements that he has made on the defensive end of his game that truly sets him up for greatness this season. Currently averaging a career-high in steals (2.0) and blocks (1.0), the two-time All-Star has become a nightmare for opposing guards, regularly shutting them down and bolstering OKC’s defence. The Thunder now boast the out-and-out best defensive rating across the entire NBA, and SGA’s ability to impact the game on both ends has many onlookers - even rival fans - expecting a potential championship run.
The Thunder return from the All-Star Weekend with a trip to the Delta Center to face the Jazz, and you can keep up with all the action from the hardwood via the NBA livescore tool right here on SportyTrader!
2. Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets
There is no discussing NBA MVPs without including the reigning title holder Nikola Jokic, who is once again making a case for the league’s top individual honour this season. While many thought that a fourth MVP award in five years would be tough to achieve - owing in large to voter fatigue, a second-round playoff exit last year, and the departure of key supporting players - Jokic has somehow managed to elevate his play even further this season, keeping the Nuggets in the playoff picture despite a roster with obvious flaws.
While now sat in third place in the Western Conference, the Nuggets are still 8.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, but there is a path for the Joker to make a genuine run at the MVP if Denver can close the gap to OKC over the final stretch of the season. The numbers also back up his impact, since when Jokic is on the floor, the Nuggets outscore opponents by +12.2 points per 100 possessions; when he’s off, they’re a staggering -7.7 points per 100 possessions. His on/off numbers are incredibly impressive, ranking similarly to SGA’s (Jokic’s +19.9 per 100 possessions vs. SGA’s +17.4), underscoring just how vital he is to Denver’s success.
Though the Joker’s quest for a fourth MVP is a tough hill to climb, it’s not out of the question, and if he is able to achieve the feat, it would place him in rarified air among the all-time greats.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
After a slow start to the season, two-time MVP winner Giannis Antetokounmpo reentered the MVP conversation after a dominant stretch last November. During that period, he averaged 32.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, earning multiple Eastern Conference Player of the Week honours. His stellar play and on-court leadership also helped lead the Bucks to the NBA Cup Final, albeit they ran into SGA’s OKC Thunder and were beaten 97-81.
Now in his 12th NBA season, the Greek Freak is still playing at an exceptional level, posting career-high scoring numbers of 31.8 points per game while grabbing 12.2 rebounds per contest. He is also shooting a blistering 60.8% from the field - the second-best conversion in the league among non-centers. Still, despite his impressive individual stats, the Bucks have yet to take a significant leap forward which could ultimately hinder Giannis’s chances of claiming a third MVP title.
Check out our Milwaukee Bucks vs. LA Clippers prediction!
4. Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics
Few can deny that Jayson Tatum has firmly established himself as a First-Team All-NBA candidate again this season, with a fourth consecutive selection now on the horizon. While the C’s have not had it all their own way this season, with the Cleveland Cavaliers providing a formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference, Tatum continues to demonstrate his toughness and versatility as one of the league’s premier two-way wings, as he did during last season’s playoff run where he consistently caused problems for opposing centres and attacked the basket with ruthless aggression.
Even while Kristaps Porzingis was sidelined to start the season, Tatum kept the Celtics humming, and leading up to the All-Star break, he had his best week of 2025, illustrated by his last three matches during which he put up 40 points, 33 points and then 32 points, including 14 rebounds and seven assists against the Spurs. Plus he had three turnovers total in those contests. While Tatum may not be the front-runner for the NBA MVP award, it would take a brave soul to write him off winning the NBA Finals MVP in 2025, and perhaps that may prove to be a more meaningful accolade for him.
The C's travel to face the Sixers this week and you can check out our 76ers vs Celtics prediction now.
5. Karl-Anthony Towns - New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns has never been a real part of the MVP discussion before, but since his high-profile move to the Knicks, the increased media attention in New York has seen his visibility and popularity soar - something that is crucial to gaining public votes. In his second stint under head coach Tom Thibodeau, Towns has been outstanding, averaging around 24 points and 13.5 rebounds per game, all while shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc, which is another feather in his cap for a big man. Additionally, his ability to stretch the floor and dominate the boards has made him a crucial part of New York’s success this season.
Indeed, playing alongside Jalen Brunson means KAT doesn’t always get the most touches but he has shown that he can rise to the occasion when it matters. After a quiet nine-point performance in a recent loss to the Celtics, Towns bounced back in style, dropping 40 and 44 points in his next two games. His defence has improved notably of late and he also remains one of the league’s top rebounders, giving him a legitimate shot at winning the rebounding crown this season. While KAT will struggle to outdo the likes of SGA and the Joker for the MVP title this season, he is certainly worthy of being included in the discussion.
KAT will suit up to face Chicago on Thursday night, so be sure to check out our Knicks vs. Bulls prediction ahead of tip-off.
MVP Outsiders for the 2024-25 NBA Season
Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavaliers
While Donovan Mitchell’s individual stats do not stack up to those of say SGA and Jokic, he still deserves recognition for guiding the Cleveland Cavaliers to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Mitchell is enjoying his best-ever season in terms of shooting conversion at a shade below 40% from long range, and his new deal with the franchise is widely considered their biggest move since LeBron James’ return in 2014. If the Cavs can maintain their spot at the top of the East for the remainder of the season, Mitchell could feature much further up this list.
Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
After helping the Timberwolves return to prominence in in Western Conference, Anthony Edwards is steadily proving that he could be the NBA’s next poster boy. As one of the league’s two premier two-way players alongside Tatum, Edwards has shown season-on-season improvement, though he still has some work to do before he can take the step toward MVP consideration. As Edwards continues to evolve, his ceiling remains incredibly high.
Anthony Davis - Dallas Mavericks
As has been the case for many seasons, the one question that fans are always asking is if Anthony Davis can remain healthy for extended periods to force his way into MVP consideration. Davis silenced some doubters last season by featuring in 76 games and he has been in great shape since his shock move to the Mavericks, now averaging 25.7 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. At 31, Davis is running out of time to secure his first MVP award, but if he can get the Mavs back into the upper echelons of the West standings, he could be one to consider.
Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama, the towering Frenchman, has largely lived up to the hype from last season and is already regarded as one of the best defenders in the NBA. With the Spurs now having a more well-rounded roster led by veteran Chris Paul, Wenby’s ceiling is incredibly high, and he could easily push himself into the conversation in the next year or two.
Luka Doncic - Los Angeles Lakers
Arguably the biggest shock trade of the season was that of Dallas’s poster boy Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic suffered a serious injury earlier this season which saw him miss several weeks and that has largely shut down his chances of winning the MVP award in 2024-25. However, now paired with LeBron James, the Slovenian could be poised to take his game to the next level, though we will have to wait and see how it goes for him over the coming months.
