The NBA MVP race for 2024 is incredibly competitive, and just may be one of the best races of all-time if not the best. This list contains the top five players who are the frontrunners for MVP, but it may change as the season progresses near the end of the regular season. The players listed for the MVP odds are based on as of late and are subject to change in the extremely competitive landscape. Each player has made improvements to their games and is playing so well that their team circumstances may just be the deciding factor on who gets the edge for MVP.
1.Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: The season stats for Nikola Jokic are 25.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and a 57.9 field Goal percentage. He is giving a 26-point triple-double every single game and is top five in assists per game. At this rate, he will be one of the best offensive players in basketball history and is now the most complete offensive player. Jokic is also on a team that is fighting for the top seed in the loaded Western Conference, currently sitting third. What also adds to his candidacy is that right now he is considered the best basketball player in the world by many people.
One flaw that Jokic has is that he is 14th in the NBA in points per game (25.9). However, he is the only player in the league averaging over 25 points per game, at least 9 assists, and double-digit rebounds which makes up for his flaw. Jokic came back with vengeance this season after losing the MVP to Joel Embiid in 2023. Embiid’s current injury however is not worsening the case for Jokic to be a clear-cut favorite for the MVP this year.
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks: The season stats for Luka Doncic are 34.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and a 49.6 field goal percentage. Doncic may be having the best season of his career as he is close to averaging a triple double. He is hyper-efficient with the number of shots he puts up and he can hit exceedingly difficult shots that are taken on very tough defenses that seem unreal. He has the highest three-point percentage in his career this season and has a career high in assists and is playing the best defense in his career. It also does not hurt him that he is leading the NBA in scoring.
Doncic has been playing all year with an injured team and he is the reason the Mavericks are in the mix. He has a 73-point game, and 11 40+ point games. His stat sheets are historic, and he has an elite carrying job as his team is the underdogs. Doncic should be the front runner for MVP because he is the reason the Mavericks are a top 6 seed, but the team’s record just might hurt his MVP chances.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: The season stats for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and a 54.6 field goal percentage. He has a league leading 2.1 steals per game. As a guard, he is shooting 54.7 percent who is the focal point of defensive coverage. His 46 games with 30-plus points leads the NBA.
The key to Alexander winning the MVP is that he is consistent. His defense is strong on the perimeter. Besides the stats, his aggressiveness and body control are like the games past greats. Alexander simply just keeps grinding and getting better, which keeps him in the MVP race.
4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: The season stats for Jason Tatum are 27.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and a 47.6 field goal percentage. Many people believe that Jason Tatum may not be suitable for the top 4 candidate for MVP because he is surrounded by so much talent on his Celtics team who are all-star caliber players. It may be hard for people to make such a case for Tatum when he is surrounded by a lot of all-star talent. His statistics are fantastic and there is nothing he can do to change the fact that he is on a talented roster.
What if he was not on such a talented roster? He would be playing at a more elite level than he already is, but there is no room for what-if scenarios. However, thoughts play roles in certain decisions, just like people believe Chet Holmgren had an unfair advantage over Victor Wembanyama for NBA Rookie of the Year Award because he was injured during the 2022-2023bNBA season as a newcomer but got to observe the professionals play the game and use it to his advantage. People believe Holmgren learned to play his best with the talent around him, and it is like Tatum. Tatum adjusted himself to his loaded team roster which takes great skill, but people see it as an unfair advantage.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: The season stats for Luka Doncic are 30.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and a 61.8 field goal percentage. He has been attacking the basket and lowered his three-point attempts. He has gone Shaquille O’ Neal mode because players have a tough time stopping him getting to the rim. He is a solid passer, a great defender, and a fantastic rebounder.
Despite the weird circumstances surrounding the Bucks, Giannis is a main reason they sit second in the Eastern Conference. Damien Lillard has not been his usual self, and the team had to fight an uphill battle after hiring Doc Rivers as new head coach midway through the season. There are more basketball games to give Giannis close the winning game standings gap between the Bucks and the Eastern Conference leading team Celtics which just may help him grab the MVP. The opportunity is there, and Giannis just needs to stay phenomenal. The Bucks winning more games and the Celtics losing some games can benefit Giannis.
Photo – Jayson Tatum; Credit – Getty Images
