Heading into the 2024-25 season, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the top picks for the NBA MVP Award according to FanDuel.
Letโs explore three unexpected players who might join the MVP race this season.
Ja Morant
From birth to old age, life is unpredictable. Ja Morant embodies this in the NBA. Off-court issues could mess up his season again. Maybe heโll even break Latrell Sprewellโs suspension record of 68 games. But if he stays focused, he has the talent to lift the Grizzlies high in standings.
Memphis starts their season with two away games against Utah and Houstonโboth winnable matches. If Morant plays aggressively and leads his team to victory in these games, it could mark a great start for him. However, if they lose one or both games, it might show that they need more time to come together as a teamโa luxury they can’t afford in a tough Western Conference.
Zion Williamson
In last seasonโs play-in game against the Lakers, Zion Williamson seemed ready to prove everyone wrong after years of injuries and weight issues. He was leading New Orleans with an impressive 40-point performance until he got injured again right after tying the game at 95 against LeBron James. The Pelicans lost and were eventually swept by Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs.
This year, Zion is determined to make a difference. According to The Athleticโs William Guillory (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5791757/2024/09/26/zion-williamson-pelicans-offseason-workouts-trust/), he’s been working hard all summer with a personal chef and intense workouts. However, there are still questions about New Orleansโ roster after losing Jonas Valanciunas and acquiring Dejounte Murray.
We’ve seen what Zion can do when healthyโlike his 27 points per game on 61% shooting during the 2020-21 season. If New Orleans can trade Brandon Ingram for a solid center and Zion stays fit, they could be strong contenders with him entering MVP talks.
Fans hope this is finally Zion’s year!
Anthony Davis
Lakers fans always panic without a championship win. This offseason didnโt help as no major trades were made by L.A.โs front office.
Sometimes we just need patience.
New head coach JJ Redick plans to keep last year’s starting lineup: DโAngelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Anthony Davisโthe same group that had a .679 winning percentage last season which would have placed them fourth in their conference (https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2024/9/24/24253620/jj-redick-lakers-starting-lineup-lebron-anthony-davis-austin-reaves-dangelo-russell-rui-hachimura).
Good news for Lakers fans: key defenders Jared Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Cam Reddish are back from injuries (https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2024.html).
Coming off an All-NBA Second Team selection averaging 24.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game last year; Davis is set for an even bigger role under Redick who wants him more involved offensively including shooting from deep (https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/jj_redick_explains_anthony_davis_offensive_role_throws_shade_at_darvin_hams_game_plan/s1_16751_40961154). Using LeBron as screener will also create easier scoring chances for Davis at rim.
If Davis boosts his average closer to 28 points per game like he did before while helping Lakers win over fifty games; he could become serious MVP contender again!
