NBA MVP Race 2024-25, The NBA MVP race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive battles in recent memory, with at least eight legitimate candidates vying for the league’s most prestigious individual award. As we approach the 2024-25 season, let’s examine the top contenders, surprising dark horses, and what it will take to claim the Maurice Podoloff Trophy.
The Favorites: Top 5 MVP Candidates
1. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
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Case for MVP: The reigning back-to-back MVP remains the most complete player in basketball
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Key Stats: 26.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 9.0 APG, 63.2% TS last season
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X-Factor: Nuggets’ potential to secure top seed in stacked West
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Odds: +350 (via NBA NewsZ)
2. Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
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Case for MVP: Coming off career-best season and Finals appearance
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Key Stats: 33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG in 2023-24
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X-Factor: Improved conditioning and defensive effort
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Odds: +400
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
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Case for MVP: Most dominant physical force in the game
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Key Stats: 30.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 6.5 APG last season
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X-Factor: Bucks’ offseason moves to retool roster
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Odds: +450
4. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
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Case for MVP: Reigning scoring champion when healthy
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Key Stats: 34.7 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 5.6 APG in 2023-24
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X-Factor: Ability to stay healthy for 65+ games
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Odds: +500
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
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Case for MVP: Best two-way guard in basketball
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Key Stats: 30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.0 SPG
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X-Factor: Thunder’s potential rise to top seed in West
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Odds: +600
Second Tier Contenders
6. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
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Why He Could Win: Best player on championship favorite
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Needs To Improve: Late-game efficiency
7. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
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Why He Could Win: Still the most impactful offensive player
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Needs To Improve: Team success around aging core
8. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
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Why He Could Win: Next face of the NBA
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Needs To Improve: Playmaking consistency
Dark Horse Candidates
1. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
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Case: Historic two-way potential
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What Needs to Happen: Spurs make playoffs
2. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
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Case: Elite scorer on contender
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What Needs to Happen: Suns get top-3 seed
3. Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
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Case: Best pure point guard in East
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What Needs to Happen: Pacers win 50+ games
Historical MVP Trends to Consider
NBA MVP Race 2024-25, Recent MVP winners have typically:
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Played for top-3 seeds (23 of last 25 MVPs)
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Averaged 25+ PPG (every winner since 2008)
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Played 65+ games (except Embiid’s 66-game 2023 season)
Key Factors That Will Decide the Race
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Team Success: Voters favor players on top seeds
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Narrative: Comeback stories (Embiid) or first-timers (SGA) get boost
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Advanced Stats: EPM, LEBRON, RAPTOR increasingly important
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Head-to-Head Matchups: Prime-time games matter
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Clutch Performance: Late-game heroics sway voters
Predicting the 2024-25 MVP
After analyzing all factors, our early prediction:
Winner: Luka Doncic
Why: Career-best season, Mavs as top-2 seed, improved defense
Runner-Up: Nikola Jokic
Dark Horse: Anthony Edwards
“This might finally be Luka’s year if he can maintain his playoff intensity for 82 games.” – NBA NewsZ Senior Analyst
Read More: NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2024-25: Frontrunners, Dark Horses, and Predictions
How to Follow the MVP Race
NBA MVP Race 2024-25, For updated MVP odds and analysis:
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Follow NBA NewsZ’s MVP Tracker
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Check NBA.com’s Advanced Stats leaderboards
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Monitor betting markets for line movements
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