Was the 2025-26 NBA MVP Race Sneakily the Deepest Ever?

On May 17, Shams Charania broke the news that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had been voted as the 2025-2026 NBA MVP. While a majority of both fans and insiders saw this coming, not enough people are talking about just how strong a case each of the top six finishers had to win the award. Each individual seemed deserving of the NBA MVP, each in their own unique way.

6. Jaylen Brown

The one-two punch of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown has slowly become one of the most iconic duos in the rich history of Boston sports. The two led the Celtics to an impressive six Eastern Conference Finals appearances, two trips to the Finals, and one NBA Title in 2024. So when Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in May of 2025, many expected a subpar upcoming season in TD Garden. Those people couldn’t have been more wrong.

Thanks to Jaylen Brown’s season averages of 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, Boston was able to lock down the two seed in the East and win 56 games. Brown became just the eighth Celtic ever to eclipse 2,000 points in a regular season, and did it while being guarded by the opposing team’s best defender on a nightly basis. While his future in Boston is uncertain, the way he proved the doubters wrong and put the team on his back this season will forever be remembered.

5. Cade Cunningham

Just two seasons ago, Cunningham “led” the Pistons to a dreadful record of 14-68. Despite averaging 23 points and 7 assists, Cade was at the helm for the worst Detroit season and longest losing streak (28 games) ever. However, in one of the quickest and most impressive turnarounds in NBA history, Cade Cunningham averaged 24 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds in an MVP-caliber season that was topped off by securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Jumping from 14 wins to 60 in the span of two seasons is something out of a Disney movie, but thanks to the heroic play by Cunningham, it became reality for the Detroit faithful. As if the speedy rise from bottom-to-top wasn’t impressive enough, Cade Cunningham came back from a collapsed lung that he suffered in March in less than a month. The future is brighter than ever for Cade and the Detroit Pistons.

4. Luka Doncic

Averaging over 33 points per game in the NBA is something only five players have done in the past 25 years. Luka has now done it twice. In his first full season playing alongside LeBron James and Austin Reaves, who both averaged over 20 points per game, Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Putting up these kinds of numbers on a team that went 43-21 when he played really makes one wonder how many more seasons he needs to do this until he brings home his first MVP.

It is no secret that Luka is one of the best scorers and passers in NBA history, but outside of stats and a singular Finals appearance, he doesn’t have nearly enough to show for it. With Doncic going into his ninth season next year, along with potentially his last one with LeBron, there’s a strong chance his first MVP will be in his hands at this time next year. 

3. Victor Wembanyama

Wembanyama is often compared to an Alien. While most think it is because of his unique play style and stature, it could also be because he continues to do things no NBA fan has ever seen before. At the young age of 22, Wemby led the Spurs to their first 60+ win season in a decade, averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks (somehow his career low), and unanimously took home the DPOY, becoming the first player in NBA history to do so.

The 7-foot-4 Frenchman also shot 35% from three and 83% from the stripe, showing that there are truly no flaws in his game. It is hard to watch Wembanyama’s dominance on both ends of the court, along with his veteran-esque leadership skills, and think he won’t end his career with a full trophy case.

2. Nikola Jokic

It feels like at the end of every season, Nikola Jokic breaks a new record. This season, he became the first player in NBA history to lead the league in both rebounds and assists. His 13 rebounds and 11 assists both stood far and away from second-place finishers in both categories. His slow, sluggish style of play continues to impress fans and make defenses look silly year after year.

On top of the rebounds and assists, Jokic still managed to average 28 points on 57% shooting from the field. If it were not for Shai, Jokic would probably be a 5x MVP. To add on to that, Jokic also became the third player in NBA history to finish top two in MVP voting for 6 consecutive seasons. He joins a prestigious club that includes only Larry Bird and the late, great Bill Russel as members.

Now a 3x MVP who has completely changed the game and made the triple-double just a statistical norm. It is hard to deny that Jokic has already cemented himself as one of the greatest players of all time.

The MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

While numerous players might be deserving of the award, only one can actually take the trophy home. For the second straight season, that player is SGA. When reviewing Shai’s season stats, the biggest thing that stood out was his unbelievable efficiency. As a 6’6” Point Guard, he shoots over 55% from the field. Once again, he is not a low block, post-playing center; he is a point guard shooting at that clip. On top of that, he averaged 31 points, 7 assists, and only 2 turnovers a game.

Everything he does is consistent, clean, and productive. He doesn’t force bad shots or bad passes or gamble on steals, which is why his team locked down the best record in the NBA for the second straight season. There is a reason he stood out above the rest in this year’s MVP race and raked in 83 of the 100 first-place votes. Just like every other player on this list, it is safe to say that Shai isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The post Was the 2025-26 NBA MVP Race Sneakily the Deepest Ever? appeared first on The Lead.

Read More