NBA MVP Race Player Rankings: James Harden back into the top 10?

Who got snubbed in this week’s NBA MVP Race Player Rankings?

Before we get to the real meat of this article, let’s go over the players just on the outside looking in at the top 10. Each of these players are just a lucky (or unlucky) break away from getting into these player rankings.

Kawhi Leonard – LA Clippers

Better late than never, Kawhi Leonard is more than deserving of inclusion for consideration in these rankings. He’s been tremendous this season and even added a playmaking element that never seemed to exist in his game before coming to the LA Clippers. In addition to his 24.3 points per game, he’s also averaging 5.1 rebounds and a career-high 5.9 assists.

Julius Randle – New York Knicks

Nobody saw Julius Randle turning into a mini-Giannis Antetokounmpo or LeBron James, but somehow here we are. He’s a brute force on offense and on the boards and it seems like Tom Thibodeau was the perfect head-coaching hire for the New York Knicks to truly unlock his abilities.

Jerami Grant – Detroit Pistons

It’s going to be hard for Jerami Grant to make much headway in what is ultimately an MVP ranking because of the record and quality of his Detroit Pistons, but his incredible play deserves mention for as long as he keeps it up. The Pistons have the worst record in the NBA, but he actually has a positive net rating at +0.5 and is putting up splendid numbers, averaging 24.9 points per game. He’s scored at least 22 points in every game since the season opener, a span going back 12 games.

Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic has had an up and down start to the season and statistically, he’s rounding into form, but his Dallas Mavericks have struggled. Over the past week, the Mavs are one of the few teams to actually get four games in and they lost three of them. Considering the fierce competition for these 10 spots, it’s hard to justify Doncic maintaining last week’s No. 9 ranking.

Let’s get to the top 10.