With no American-born player winning the NBA MVP award since 2018, analysts are examining potential candidates for the next winner.
The NBA has seen international dominance in recent MVP voting, with winners including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Five active American players hold prior MVP titles, but all are at least 36 years old and may retire soon.
As the 2025-26 NBA season nears its end, the 65-game threshold for awards eligibility—introduced in 2023 to combat load management—continues to draw fire. With stars like Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Giannis Antetokounmpo already sidelined from contention, Nikola Jokić can miss just one more game, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama hover near disqualification amid rising injury concerns.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić, frontrunners in this season's tight NBA Most Valuable Player race, both turned down opportunities to pitch their candidacies after standout games. Gilgeous-Alexander laughed off the question following a 47-point performance, while Dončić said he lets his play speak for itself. Victor Wembanyama, another contender, has actively made his case.