Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama are the finalists for the 2025-26 KIA MVP award. While SGA still has the highest odds to win the honor, the race was largely limited to three stars taking the top spot throughout the season.

According to former NBA player Tracy McGrady, the next five years don’t look much different from the current season.

"That MVP list [Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] is gonna look like that for the next... Imma give it 5 [years],” the former Houston Rockets player said.

However, former New York Knicks NBA player Carmelo Anthony was skeptical that one name from the list would still be on top in the next five years. "Joker may not be on there. For 5 years?” Melo asked. 

The Denver Nuggets star is still in his prime. He is just 31 years old, which means he has at least three years left where he could dominate the league at his will.

Nikola Jokic, who led the Denver Nuggets, averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists. He was the first player in NBA history to lead the league in both rebounds and assists. The great Serbian center has won this award three times: in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

Jokic is one of three players who are still in the running for the NBA MVP award this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama are the other two finalists with him.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored an average of 31.1 points, made 6.6 assists, and shot 55.5% from the field. In 29 minutes on the court, Victor Wembanyama scored 25 points and grabbed 11.5 rebounds.

There are more things to talk about this NBA season than just the MVP race.

NBA Reveals End-of-Season Award Finalists Across Every Major Category

The league has announced the finalists for all of its major awards, and the competition is tough all the way around.

In the race for Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and VJ Edgecombe are all making a lot of noise in their first seasons.

The fight for Defensive Player of the Year is just as fierce, with Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, and Victor Wembanyama all making their case.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Deni Avdija, and Jalen Duren are the three players who made the biggest improvements this season.

Tim Hardaway Jr., Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Keldon Johnson are all working hard off the bench to win Sixth Man of the Year.

Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the three finalists for Clutch Player of the Year.

All three have always been ready for big moments. J.B. Bickerstaff, Joe Mazzulla, and Mitch Johnson are all fighting for Coach of the Year on the sidelines.

Who do you think deserves each award this season? Drop your picks in the comments down below!

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Utsav Gupta