Several ESPN experts expect an NBA star to keep climbing the ladder as an unstoppable superstar. ESPN polled reporters, editors, and analysts to make preseason picks for the NBA's biggest awards. Victor Wembanyama ran away with the MVP race, garnering more than triple the points (102) than runner-up Nikola Jokic (31).
Luka Doncic received 28 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander garnered 26 points to three-peat. Wright explained that the emerging San Antonio Spurs position Wembanyama to capture his first MVP nod following a Western Conference title. "Wembanyama campaigned hard last season for the MVP award, only to finish third in voting behind Gilgeous-Alexander and three-time winner Jokic," Wright wrote.
"Still, Wembanyama pushed his team deeper into the playoffs last season than either of those players did. San Antonio's run to the NBA Finals last season clearly gives Wembanyama the upper hand in the award race heading into 2026-27." The ESPN panel also voted Wembanyama as a lopsided front-runner to retain his Defensive Player of the Year crown. However, Tim MacMahon identified one potential obstacle.
Wembanyama, who has played 181 regular-season games over three seasons, must play at least 65 games to qualify for these awards. The big man reached that bare minimum last season because he played in an NBA Cup final game that didn't count in the season standings. There may be no limit on Wembanyama's ceiling entering the 2026-27 campaign.
He led the Spurs back into the title picture last season by averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game. Health may be the only thing that can stop Wembanyama from piling up accolades. Vegas shares ESPN's optimism, as FanDuel Sportsbook lists the 22-year-old as a +200 favorite to win MVP over Gilgeous-Alexander (+350).
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