Even though the 2023 NBA MVP has already been decided, we’re already looking ahead to next season’s candidates to win The Michael Jordan Trophy. After coming so close to winning the MVP award in seasons past, Joel Embiid finally won his first trophy in 2023. Is the Philadelphia 76ers superstar on track to become the 15th player in NBA history to win back-to-back MVPs?
Not if previous winners like Giannis Antetokounmpo and defending champion Nikola Jokic can get in the way. Not to mention the several other high-level athletes that could take the next step in their careers, such as Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, or Anthony Edwards, who could all become serious contenders in 2024.
While the offseason is sure to change the NBA landscape once again, here are our early frontrunners to vie for The Michael Jordan Trophy, otherwise known as the MVP award, in 2024.
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10. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
- Kevin Durant stats: 29.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 56% FG, 40% 3PT, 25.9 PER
Durantula will have to battle his co-star Devin Booker for MVP honors, but with a full offseason and training camp to learn each other’s tendencies, we see this duo becoming one of the NBA’s best. After having the best shooting season of his historic career, expect Durant to be back at his best heading into his age 35 season.
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9. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Anthony Edwards stats: 24.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 45% FG, 36% 3PT, 17.4 PER
Three years ago, scouts weren’t even sure if Anthony Edwards deserved to be the No. 1 pick. There aren’t any questions now. Ant has developed into one of the most exciting scorers in basketball, and his effort on defense continues to improve. His candidacy relies on improving his peripheral stats while trying to become more consistent.
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8. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
- Zion Williamson stats: 26 PPG, 7 RPG, 4.6 APG, 60% FG, 36% 3PT, 25.2 PER
If Zion Williamson could ever stay healthy for a full season, we’d see what the explosive power forward is truly capable of. He’s yet to play more than 61 games and has made just 29 appearances in the past two seasons. Still just 23 in 2024, we like Williamson’s game enough to label him a fringe MVP candidate.
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats: 31.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1 BPG, 27.2 PER
We already saw the OKC Thunder become a fringe contender thanks to SGA’s development, where he’s become a top-scoring threat who’s extremely efficient thanks to his ability to get to the free-throw line. But Gilgeous-Alexander’s a complete player who brings the intensity on defense too. If the Thunder take another step, so should their young All-Star.
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6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Stephen Curry stats: 29.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, 49% FG, 42% 3PT, 24.1 PER
While Curry is already 35 years old, his game hasn’t dropped off at all. He’ll always be able to drain a three from anywhere on the floor, even when he’s retired. Curry’s just two years removed from leading the NBA in scoring, a year removed from helping win a championship, and could certainly get back into the MVP conversation in 2024.
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5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Jayson Tatum stats: 30.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, 46% FG, 35% 3PT, 23.7 PER
Jayson Tatum is elite on both ends of the floor, yet he still hasn’t been able to permanently stamp his name into the MVP conversation. However, if Tatum can continue averaging north of 30 points per game while providing excellent defense, there’s no reason why he can’t add some hardware to his trophy case in the near future. Maybe the Celtics need to experience more playoff success before Tatum earns the respect, or maybe Jaylen Brown’s presence impacts how Tatum’s viewed in the eyes of MVP voters.
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4. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
- Luka Dončić stats: 32.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.0 APG, 49% FG, 34% 3PT, 28.7 PER
Any time you can flirt with not only leading the NBA in points but also assists while pulling down nearly ten rebounds a game, you’re clearly very, very talented. We all know what Luka Dončić is capable of on a nightly basis, and Jokic showed you could win MVPs without being a top defender. So, yeah, Doncic’s chances of becoming a top MVP contender are strong heading into the offseason, but the Mavericks’ record will no doubt play a big factor.
3. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
- Nikola Jokić stats: 24.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 63% FG, 38% 3PT, 31.5 PER
Jokic couldn’t join the elite group of three legends to win back-to-back-to-back MVPs, but the Denver Nuggets superstar remains a top candidate to win his third award going forward. We just don’t see players put up numbers like Jokic does. He may not be his team’s top scorer, but he’s an incredibly efficient player who somehow came close to averaging a triple-double last season. Of course Jokic is a top MVP candidate for 2024 after winning the NBA Finals.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo stats: 31.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 55% FG, 27% 3PT, 29 PER
We’ve seen enormous growth from Antetokounmpo since he entered the league as the 15th overall pick in 2013. Sure, he’ll never be Steph Curry from a distance, but his shooting is still one area that could be improved. After shooting just 64.5% from the free throw line last season, if Antetokounmpo could return to the 77% rate we saw in 2017, his MVP candidacy would receive a huge boost.
1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Joel Embiid stats: 33.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 54% FG, 1.7 BPG, 31.4 PER
Now that Embiid has finally won the MVP award he’s been coveting for so long, the focus can all be put toward reaching and winning the NBA Finals. But that won’t dramatically alter Embiid’s effort. He may be more inclined to rest an extra game here and there, but when Embiid plays, there are few, if any athletes who are better. After leading the Association in scoring, we expect Embiid to be one of the top candidates to win NBA MVP in 2024.
