As the 2022-23 NBA season approached, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder had yet to achieve All-Star status, earn an All-NBA team selection, or be noted as an MVP contender.

However, everything changed that season when he earned All-Star honors and was recognized as a first-team All-NBA player, ultimately finishing fifth in the MVP voting. He repeated this success as an All-Star and first-team All-NBA selection last season, where he also secured the runner-up position for MVP.

So, who could be the next player to join the MVP conversation like SGA did?

Some potential candidates include Zion Williamson from the New Orleans Pelicans; Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies; Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell; Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves; De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings; Victor Wembanyama from the San Antonio Spurs; Tyrese Maxey with the Philadelphia 76ers; Tyrese Haliburton from the Indiana Pacers; Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics; and Jalen Brunson with the New York Knicks.

Which of these players has the potential to become a prominent figure in the MVP dialogue? They could join the frontrunners like Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic of Denver, Jayson Tatum from Boston, Joel Embiid of Philadelphia, and Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. (Favorite odds are included at the end).

Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves

At just 23 years old, Anthony Edwards earned his first All-NBA selection and ranked seventh in the MVP voting for the 2023-24 season. As he continues to develop, Edwards is on the brink of becoming a top-five player. After winning a gold medal with the USA Basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he set personal bests in points (25.9), assists (5.1), shooting percentage (46.1%), and free throw percentage (83.6%), all while helping the Timberwolves reach the Western Conference Finals last season.

“His talent is remarkable, and as he starts to harness it more efficiently, he will become virtually impossible to guard,” stated Steve Kerr, head coach of the U.S. men’s senior team and the Golden State Warriors.

Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson, aged 24, played a career-high 70 games last season, contributing significantly to the Pelicans’ 49 wins – just short of fourth place in the Western Conference. While injuries have impacted his career, a healthy season could see him improve upon his 2023-24 stats (22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals per game with a shooting percentage of 57%). The former No. 1 draft pick has the potential to join an All-NBA team and be a strong MVP candidate.

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs

Can a second-year player make a significant MVP push? Victor Wembanyama, at 20 years old, may show us within this season. Historically, players like LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal were MVP candidates in their early years. Winning games is crucial for MVP consideration, so the Spurs will need to improve. Nonetheless, Wembanyama’s standout rookie performance, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, combined with leading the league in blocks, suggests a promising future in league stardom.

Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell, 28, is a five-time All-Star and has made the All-NBA team once, having only received MVP consideration once in his career – finishing sixth in the 2022-23 voting. The Cavaliers are committed to Mitchell, securing him with a three-year, $150 million contract extension that ensures he remains in Cleveland at least through the 2026-27 season. They believe he can lead them as a contender, which often puts him in the MVP conversation.

Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers

Tyrese Maxey, 23, had a standout season, with career highs in points (25.9), assists (6.2), rebounds (3.7), and steals (1.0), making his first All-Star team in his fourth year. However, playing alongside Joel Embiid – the 2022-23 MVP and a favorite for this year’s award – makes it challenging for Maxey to shine individually, though his performance certainly qualifies him as an MVP-worthy player.

De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings

De’Aaron Fox, 26, received votes for the All-NBA teams but did not make the cut, having previously earned a third-team selection in 2022-23. Fox matched career-best numbers in points (26.6), rebounds (4.6), and steals (leading the league with 2.0) per game, shooting 46.5% from the field and 36.9% from three-point range last season. Increased victories would bolster his MVP claims, alongside his teammate Domantas Sabonis, who is also in the running for the award.

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics

Jaylen Brown, set to turn 28 this Thursday, also has an MVP contender as a teammate (Jayson Tatum). Brown was named Finals MVP and Eastern Conference Finals MVP, in addition to being an All-Star in the 2023-24 season, marking his third All-Star selection in four years. Despite his impressive performance, he fell short of All-NBA selection, ranking 16th in the voting, with the top 15 earning All-NBA honors, averaging 23.0 points.

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He recorded averages of 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49.9% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc.

Guard Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant, whose career faced challenges due to a suspension linked to gun-related social media posts and a shoulder injury that sidelined him after just nine games last season, was once seen as a strong candidate for the MVP title. At 25 years old, he achieved All-Star and All-NBA status, ranking seventh in MVP voting for the 2021-22 season and was an All-Star again, finishing 12th in the MVP ballot for 2022-23. Over his five years in the league, Morant has averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, with shooting stats of 47.1% from the field, 31.8% from three-point range, and 75.5% from the free throw line.

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers

At just 24, Tyrese Haliburton has earned his second consecutive All-Star selection and his first All-NBA recognition for the 2023-24 season. He averaged 20.1 points and led the NBA with 10.9 assists per game, marking his second straight season with double-digit assists. His shooting performance includes 47.7% from the field, 36.4% from three, and 85.5% from the free throw line, alongside an average of 1.2 steals. With the Pacers reaching the Eastern Conference finals in May, expectations for Haliburton are significantly high.

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson, aged 28, made a significant mark last season, placing fifth in MVP voting while also achieving his first All-Star and All-NBA selections in 2023-24. His rise in performance has been both unexpected and exciting. He posted a career-high average of 28.7 points per game, along with 6.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds, shooting 47.9% from the field, 40.1% from beyond the arc, and 84.7% on free throws. With the talented squad the Knicks have put together, which includes new players like Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, Brunson is certainly a contender for the MVP title.

Odds for 2024-25 NBA MVP

The following are the 2024-25 NBA MVP odds provided by BetMGM:

Luka Doncic +350

Nikola Jokic +425

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +450

Joel Embiid +800

Giannis Antetokounmpo +1000

Anthony Edwards +1300

Jalen Brunson +1400

Victor Wembanyama +2000

Jayson Tatum +2500