Top 5 players who could win MVP of Emirates NBA Cup

The Emirates NBA Cup MVP award is up for grabs starting Tuesday. Last season, the honor went to LA Lakers star LeBron James, who led his team to the inaugural championship. James could retain the award, but contenders will be jostling to succeed him.

As several teams have legitimate chances to win the championship, the tournament will likely have an exciting MVP battle. Like last season, the trophy could go to the player who guides his team to the title.

Superstars who might have made the list but are dealing with injuries could be out of the running as the competition is roughly for a month. Kevin Durant, who has been out with a calf strain for at least two weeks, might not recover in time to contend for the award.

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Emirates NBA Cup predicted MVP contenders

#5 LeBron James

LeBron James has a good chance of repeating as the Emirates NBA Cup MVP. The four-time MVP is the league’s oldest player but continues to defy Father Time. He is on a two-game streak with triple-doubles and has three for the season.

If Anthony Davis takes time to recover from his eye injury from the Raptors game Sunday night, the LA Lakers will lean more on King James. With James around, the defending champs could go for a two-peat and add another individual trophy to his cabinet.

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#4 Anthony Edwards

Ant-Man is having a career-best start in scoring, FG% and 3-point FG%. He averages 28.3 points per game on 47.4% shooting, including a sizzling 45.8% clip from deep. Anthony Edwards’s shooting has made him even more difficult to guard. His 3-point accuracy is a little over 10% better than what he did last season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have as good a chance as any team to dethrone the LA Lakers. Edwards is a legitimate contender for the Emirates NBA Cup MVP award.

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#3 Donovan Mitchell

If the Emirates NBA Cup MVP award goes to the champion team, that trophy could go to Donovan Mitchell. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 12-0, the only unbeaten team this season. It’s not difficult to see them sustain that form, as they have the best offensive rating in the league (121.7 per Statmuse) and seventh in defensive rating (109.8 per Statmuse).

The Cavs are serious contenders for the championship, making Spida a contender for the competition’s top individual honor.

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#2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Last year’s regular season MVP runner-up looks ready for another individual award. He is averaging 27.8 points, a career-high 6.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been impressive on both ends of the floor.

Following Chet Holmgren’s injury, which completely decimated the OKC Thunder’s frontline, SGA has to be even better. The Canadian will likely take home the Emirates NBA Cup MVP award if Thunder wins the championship despite an injury-hampered roster.

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#1 Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets struggled to open the new season. Over the last eight games, they seemed to be back to their vintage form. Nikola Jokic has shown why he is a third-time and the reigning MVP.

Over his last eight games, Jokic has averaged 30.0 ppg, 14.5 rpg, and 12.5 apg. Denver is 7-1 during that stretch and looks ready to challenge for the championship. Should the Nuggets win the Emirates NBA Cup, The Joker will likely add another MVP to his collection.