NBA: Top 5 MVP candidate predictions for 2020-21 season
By Dalton Sell
The 2019-20 NBA season is currently in jeopardy, but looking ahead to next season, who could be next year’s Most Valuable Player winner?
For a majority of this season, the NBA’s MVP award was a two-person race between Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. Antetokounmpo had a firm lead for most of the season, but James stormed back right before the NBA season halted due to the coronavirus pandemic and seemingly had a slight shot at overtaking Giannis.
However, Tim Bontemps of ESPN conducted a survey to 70 media members associated with the league, and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo earned 60 of their votes, the other ten having gone to James.
If the remainder of the season is eventually officially canceled, Antetokounmpo likely stands locked in to take home his second consecutive award in the shortened season. If that happened and next season was the next time NBA basketball would take place, which players stand the best chance of taking home the MVP award?
Several key factors will play into it, but by the looks of, the chase for MVP next season will be much more complicated than it was this season, and an array of players have the potential to win it. At this point, this list is merely speculation based on what these players previously showcased and could potentially carry over into the 2020-21 season, whenever that is.
With that, here are five predictions for players that could possibly take home the NBA’s Most Valuable Player trophy next season.