NBA: Top 10 Candidates For MVP In 2015-16

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Oct 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers guard Scottie Wilbekin (25) defends during the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

10. John Wall

Ever since the 2014 NBA Playoffs, the Washington Wizards have been right on the brink of bursting through their ceiling. When they upset the Chicago Bulls in a quick five-game series that year, and when they swept the Toronto Raptors the following year, there was buzz in Chocolate City for the first time since Michael Jordan played two seasons of charity basketball.

But both times, the Wizards’ promising postseason runs ended in a semifinal elimination. In their most recent exit, Washington had the upper hand against an imploding Atlanta Hawks team, but injuries to John Wall and Bradley Beal crippled their chances of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1979.

.@JohnWall set some lofty individual goals for himself this year. ICYMI, here's the full Q&A: http://t.co/Qci9LeIs5Z pic.twitter.com/IJAY8JHSB6
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) October 13, 2015

For John Wall to deserve a legitimate spot on this list, he’ll have to help the Wizards finally break through that barrier in 2015-16. It won’t be easy, since the Wizards are still a young team and the rest of the playoff field in the East improved this offseason.

But after averaging 17.6 points, 10.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game last year, Wall could easily put together an MVP campaign if he can lead the Wizards to a top-3 seed all while upping his stat line and improving that three-point shot.

Next: No. 9