The NBA preseason is over, the opening tip-off is approaching and the race for basketball's biggest individual honour is already heating up.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chasing a historic three-peat, Victor Wembanyama threatening to take over the league and several established superstars hungry for silverware, the 2026-27 MVP race could be spectacular.
Preseason performances rarely tell the full story, but five players have already given fans plenty to think about.
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
The bookmakers' favourite has a frightening ceiling.
Wembanyama enters his fourth NBA campaign as arguably the league's most disruptive defensive force, with his offensive arsenal continuing to develop.
San Antonio's impressive preseason victories over Phoenix and Sacramento have strengthened expectations surrounding the Spurs.
An extraordinary 77% of NBA general managers tipped the Frenchman to win MVP in the league's annual survey.
If the Spurs challenge for the Western Conference's top seed, Wembanyama could become extremely difficult to beat.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Three consecutive MVP awards? Only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird have achieved that feat.
Gilgeous-Alexander now has history in his sights after averaging 31.1 points and 6.6 assists last season.
Oklahoma City's 64-win campaign demonstrated their consistency, while their superstar guard remains one of basketball's most efficient scorers.
Preseason results mean little for a Thunder side built to compete deep into June.
3. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
Could this finally be Luka's year?
The Slovenian remains one of the NBA's most devastating offensive weapons, capable of dismantling defences through scoring, passing and sheer creativity.
His preseason shooting offered encouragement, particularly from beyond the arc.
However, individual brilliance has never been Doncic's problem. Translating those spectacular numbers into a dominant Lakers campaign will determine his MVP credentials.
4. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Three MVP trophies already sit in Jokic's collection, and nobody should rule out a fourth.
Denver's Serbian maestro remains the league's ultimate offensive conductor, combining elite rebounding, scoring and extraordinary court vision.
His preseason playmaking provided another reminder of his influence.
If Denver returns to the Western Conference summit, Jokic will inevitably feature in the conversation.
5. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota's explosive shooting guard could be the outsider worth watching.
Edwards averaged approximately 20 points across three preseason appearances, offering glimpses of his trademark attacking aggression.
Already one of basketball's most electrifying scorers, the next challenge is turning individual brilliance into sustained dominance.
With Minnesota aiming to remain among the West's elite, Edwards has an opportunity to gatecrash the MVP establishment.
