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The most elite and restricted room in the NBA could get crowded this season.

We’re talking about the Kia MVP and the candidates for the award. Recently, this trophy has mainly been restricted to Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid. They either won or finished high in the balloting, collecting first-place votes and making strong cases for themselves.

But now? The stronghold might be over. That’s not to suggest Jokić, Antetokounmpo and Embiid won’t be in the running — one of them might win again and they could finish 1-2-3 in voting. Instead, others are closing hard and fast and, at the very least, will stir debate if they (and their teams) do some serious flexing.

For instance, the international grip on the trophy might remain tight, but with a different set of hands — belonging to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada) or Luka Dončić (Slovenia).

Or maybe this is finally the season in which an American-born player wins for the first time since James Harden in 2018. Will Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson or someone else end that streak?

Given the expected intense competition for the award, it’s perhaps safe to say Stephen Curry — also a candidate here at age 36 — might remain the only unanimous winner in history.

Here’s a look at 15 Kia MVP candidates to watch this season (listed alphabetically by last name):

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

If the trend holds, he should rank among the top five for this award for a sixth straight year, a remarkable stretch of excellence that also reflects his regular-season durability and Milwaukee’s record over that span. A two-time MVP, Antetokounmpo finished runner-up for the scoring title last season and remains impactful at both rims. The Bucks, though, will need some bounce-back-ability after a sluggish 2023-24.

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

He received one vote two seasons ago and got 32 last season. That shows how rapidly Brunson burst into the basketball consciousness and the level of respect he received and earned based on a breakout 2023-24. All signals indicate he’s hardly a flash in the pan. His scoring average could dip from last season’s 28.7 points per game because of the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns, but he’ll have the keys to a team expected to compete for the best record in the league.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Curry is still a threat to average 25-30 points, repeat as league leader in 3-pointers made and produce in clutch moments. While the Warriors are in transition, their two-time MVP refuses to drop from the league’s top shelf of talent. But that’s the point: as good as Curry should be this season, the Warriors might be unable to give him the wins he’ll need to stay in the mix.

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

You could argue that he’s the Lakers’ best player. That doesn’t mean he does more than LeBron James, but his impact at both ends cements him as one of the league’s better two-way players. Davis has never won this award, but averaging 20-plus points and ranking among the league leaders in rebounds and blocks (he was third and fourth respectively last season) will put him in the mix.

Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks

If he leads the league in scoring and assists (he ranked first and second last season), how can anyone deny him — especially if the Mavericks win 50-plus games? A player clearly among the league’s premier talents, it’ll be a shock if Dončić doesn’t win this trophy soon. It’s his time, if not his turn, to win and few players do more damage with the ball in their hands.

Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

The 2014 winner aims to show who’s the real MVP again (salute Mama Durant) by elevating the Suns and his scoring average. Both are possible if the Suns avoid a second straight injury-filled season and Durant closes in on 25-30 ppg (he averaged 27.1 ppg in 2023-24). He has few equals when it comes to getting buckets.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

He’s on the short list of under-25 players who have a shot at winning, or, at the very least, being a finalist. Playing without Towns this season could push Edwards to average more points, giving him the statistical muscle needed for MVP credibility. Should the Wolves stay near or at the top of the West, Edwards will have a strong case.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

The MVP in 2022-23 could’ve gone back-to-back if not for an injury that interrupted a stellar start to 2023-24. Still a dominant big man, Embiid should continue his rampage with Paul George around to ease the double-teaming. Philly should also have a good record. The only potential drawback is if Embiid racks up the DNPs to preserve himself for the postseason and risk missing the minimum-game requirement for the award (as was the case last season).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

The runner-up last season (15 first-place votes), he’s just tapping his prime, and the Thunder are poised for a big regular season of perhaps 60-plus wins. Should he once again have the stats — as in finish among league leaders in scoring and assists — that will speak loudly for him. Among those who have never won the award, Gilgeous-Alexander seems to be running neck-and-neck with Dončić for the preseason favorite, at least among the consensus.

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

He’s perhaps the most underrated candidate, yet he belongs. Haliburton is one of a handful of players who makes teammates better and can win games without scoring in bunches. That said, the assists leader in 2023-24 might need to bump his scoring average well into the 20s to collect first-place votes (he was at 20.1 ppg last season).

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

He’s a four-time MVP who last won in 2013 and would become the oldest winner should he assemble an unforgettable 22nd season and the Lakers win 50-plus games. James seems poised to collect votes, has yet to hit the geriatric wall and remains a physical marvel.

Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

A three-time winner (over four years) seeks to go back-to-back for the second time and place himself among the game’s gods. A nightly threat to drop a triple-double, “The Joker’s” high level of excellence and consistency keep him in the MVP running. The key will be the Nuggets’ finish in the West. Will this former champion fight off the threats in a stacked conference and flex again? It’ll take 55 or so wins, and with Jokić, anything’s possible.

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Injuries limited him to 55 games last season, but Mitchell still averaged 26.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 6.1 apg and 1.8 spg. Those numbers speak to his well-roundedness, impact and how Mitchell compares to the game’s elite players. He’s this franchise’s best player since LeBron left town and can carry the Cavs up the stairs in the East.

Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

The league’s rebounding leader last season was an All-NBA performer (Third Team) and has helped the Kings remain in the mix in the West. Another rebounding title will likely result in collecting MVP votes, and if the Kings finish in the top four in the West, it will reflect well on Sabonis and his chances.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

He could be embarking on a Disrespect Tour this season, strange for a player so accomplished. But he didn’t win the MVP in the East Finals or NBA Finals last summer, then got benched twice in the Paris Olympics, not to mention finishing sixth in 2023-24 MVP voting. Slights? Not really. But for an All-NBA player searching hard for motivation, it’s right there for Tatum.

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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