NBA MVP Rankings: KD, Zion enter the conversation
The MVP award has a new name. Formerly known as the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, the league gave the hardware a new design and label, and it's now known as the Michael Jordan Trophy. With the NBA passing the one-third mark of the 2022-23 campaign, a Jordan Brand player has started to elevate himself above the competition as the favorite for the MVP.
10. Anthony Davis, Lakers
Previous ranking: Unranked
Before picking up his latest worrying injury in Friday's win over the Denver Nuggets, Davis' dominant play had put the Los Angeles Lakers back in the play-in tournament hunt after a 2-10 start. Since then, the eight-time All-Star is averaging 30.8 points, 13.3 boards, 2.7 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals. He ranks 11th in the Association in free-throw attempts (201) and 13th in total contested shots (264).
Davis' 55-point, 17-rebound, three-block performance against the Washington Wizards earlier this month perfectly illustrated his two-way impact when healthy. It was Davis' 19th career game recording at least 40 points and 15 boards, tying former Lakers great Shaquille O'Neal for the most since 1985, according to StatMuse.
9. Joel Embiid, 76ers
Previous ranking: 4
Embiid needs the Philadelphia 76ers to start piling wins to climb these rankings. They're just 11-9 when he's in the lineup and 5-3 when he sits. With that said, Philadelphia has a plus-7.9 net rating with Embiid on the court compared to a team-worst minus-1.3 when he's on the bench.
The star center's numbers speak for themselves: A league-leading 33.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, with a stellar 64.3% true shooting. Embiid is the anchor of the Sixers' fourth-ranked defense and one of the league's biggest mismatches on offense. It wouldn't be surprising to see him rise later on.
8. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Previous ranking: 10
Like Embiid, Curry has played terrific individually, but it hasn't translated to team success. Curry's 66.8% true shooting is his best mark since the 2015-16 campaign when he won MVP. He's averaging 30 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game.
However, the Golden State Warriors are just 15-16 overall and 1-4 with Curry out of the lineup. They have a plus-7 net rating with Curry on the floor compared to a putrid minus-8.9 with him on the bench. The Warriors star will be sidelined for weeks due to a shoulder injury. It'll be hard for Curry to receive serious MVP consideration if Golden State ends up stuck in the play-in race.
7. Zion Williamson, Pelicans
Previous ranking: Unranked
Williamson has led the surging New Orleans Pelicans into the Western Conference postseason race, building off the competitive six-game first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. Zion missed the entire 2021-22 regular season and playoffs due to a foot injury.
The 22-year-old leads the Pelicans in scoring while posting career-highs in rebounds, assists, and steals. His back-to-back 35-point performances against the Suns on Dec. 9 and 11 gave the league a taste of what New Orleans can accomplish this season.
6. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Previous ranking: 8
The Memphis Grizzlies reaffirmed their status among the league's elite teams with a 142-101 demolition of the Milwaukee Bucks last Thursday. Morant was at the heart of the Grizzlies' impressive display, pouring in 25 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists in 26 minutes for his third triple-double of the season.
The former No. 2 overall pick is ranked sixth in assists (7.7 per game) and 13th in the scoring race (26.7). Morant's ability to penetrate the paint has largely contributed to his success as a scorer and facilitator. The All-Star guard is averaging 14 points and 2.1 assists off drives, which ranks third and fourth, respectively.
5. Kevin Durant, Nets
Previous ranking: Unranked
Hiring a new coach like Jacque Vaughn is a bona fide way to spark a turnaround, but Durant has been the other driving force for the Brooklyn Nets' revival. The 34-year-old has led the franchise back into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race over the last 15 games, amassing a 12-3 record.
KD has been unstoppable offensively, averaging 30.4 points on an ultra-efficient 60.6% shooting from the field during that stretch. His 45-point performance against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 28 is a reminder that Durant can still put up numbers with the best of them.
4. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Previous ranking: 6
Can Jokic really pull off a three-peat? The scenario shouldn't be ruled out even though only three players have accomplished the feat. The Denver Nuggets star is maximizing the weapons around him, averaging nearly a triple-double at the one-third mark of the season.
Jokic's ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and others is central to Denver's second-ranked offense. The Serbian's 32.5 player efficiency rating trails only the all-time NBA record he set during the previous campaign. The MVP buzz surrounding Jokic will grow if the Nuggets remain in striking distance of the West's No. 1 seed.
3. Luka Doncic, Mavs
Previous ranking: 2
Doncic is an offense all by himself. The Dallas Mavericks star is averaging a career-high 33 points, with 8.7 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game. Following Jalen Brunson's departure from Dallas, Doncic has increased his scoring by 4.6 points from last season. He's also improved his efficiency, with a career-high 60.7% true shooting.
If the raw numbers aren't impressive enough, the Slovenian superstar is an advanced stats darling. He leads the league in catch-all metrics like value over replacement player and estimated plus-minus and ranks second in box plus/minus. The only thing holding Doncic back from the top spot is the Mavs' 15-15 record.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Previous ranking: 3
For the first time in his career, the Greek Freak is averaging over 30 points for the Milwaukee Bucks. Antetokounmpo has notched another hole in his belt in what continues to be the best story of player development in league history.
The former MVP is in the top five in points and rebounds per game, as the Bucks depend on his production even more with Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton in and out of the lineup. His eight-game streak of scoring at least 30 points ended against the Mavericks on Dec. 9, but Antetokounmpo remains an MVP contender.
1. Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Previous ranking: 1
The Boston Celtics hold the NBA's all-time record of winning 10 MVP awards. However, it's been over three decades since a member of the storied franchise took home the prestigious honor. Tatum has an excellent shot at ending that 37-year drought. The three-time All-Star, who has been a slow starter throughout his career, picked up where he left off last season.
Tatum has been the driving force on the league's top-ranked offense, averaging a personal-best 30.2 points on 47% shooting and getting to the charity stripe over eight times per contest. Boston is also scoring a whopping 13.2 more points per 100 possessions with Tatum on the floor.
Honorable mentions: Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)