Early NBA MVP Race: Luka, Wemby, and SGA's Strong Starts

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Early NBA MVP Debate Centers on Luka, Wemby and Shai

The NBA MVP conversation has started unusually early, with Luka Dončić, Wemby and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already receiving attention less than a month into the season. Shai has helped the Oklahoma City Thunder reach an 8-2 record despite the team’s injuries, while Luka and Wemby have also started strongly.

Although discussing the award this early may seem laughable, the opening month can shape an MVP campaign. A player who establishes himself immediately and remains healthy can eventually be credited with performing at a high level from beginning to end.

Luka has started on fire, while Wemby has played closer to the basket when looking to score. Shai continues to produce despite the injuries around Oklahoma City. If he keeps the Thunder near the top while averaging 30 points, he will have a compelling MVP case.

The debate also raises questions about what “Most Valuable Player” should mean. The award is often treated as recognition for the best player, but value can also be measured by how much worse a team would be without that player. Without Shai, Oklahoma City might not be among the top eight or even the top 10.

By comparison, when Luka left the floor for the Lakers, Austin Reaves scored 43 points in a road win over the Pistons. Wemby also plays alongside Castle, Fox and Harper, a trio of guards capable of producing points. That does not diminish what Luka or Wemby have accomplished, but it strengthens the argument that Shai’s value to his team should carry significant weight.

Voter fatigue is another major factor. It has previously affected players who continued producing exceptional seasons after already winning the award. Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double in consecutive seasons but won MVP only for the first. Nikola Jokić also put together three straight MVP-level runs without winning the third award.

The same issue helps explain why LeBron James and Michael Jordan did not win even more MVP awards. A challenger can certainly have a better season, but storylines often influence voting. Derrick Rose’s historic MVP season created a powerful narrative, even though the argument was made that LeBron had the better year.

Voters may not openly cite fatigue, but they can favor a fresher story or a more marketable narrative. That approach risks watering down the award and weakening the broader conversation about which player was truly the most valuable.