Early MVP Straw Poll Highlights Tight Race; Updates on Expansion, NBA Cup Site and All-Star Voting
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ESPN’s first Most Valuable Player straw poll of the 2025-26 season points to a close duel between Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver center Nikola Jokić.
In the survey, conducted by ESPN writer Tim Bontemps and distributed to 100 media members, Gilgeous-Alexander received 57 first-place votes and 865 points. Jokić collected 42 first-place votes and 822 points. Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić finished third with 432 points and secured the only other first-place vote.
Oklahoma City’s 24-2 record has bolstered Gilgeous-Alexander’s case. The reigning MVP is averaging 32.4 points in 33.0 minutes while shooting career-best marks of 55.9% from the field and 43.2% from three-point range. Jokić, whose Nuggets stand 20-6, is producing 29.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game and is shooting 61.2% overall and 42.6% from deep—both career highs.
Expansion Outlook
Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic outlined four key factors that could determine whether the NBA moves forward with expansion plans in 2026. Fellow Athletic writer John Hollinger analyzed how a 32-team league—potentially adding franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas—might function. Hollinger noted that four-team divisions would likely follow, simplifying NBA Cup group play. A proposed schedule model would feature:
- Four games against each divisional opponent
- Three games against other teams in the same conference
- Two games against teams from the opposite conference
That format would total 80 regular-season games, with two additional contests determined by NBA Cup results.
Possible New NBA Cup Final Site
During an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today, reporter Shams Charania said Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium is under consideration to host the NBA Cup championship in 2026. The league is weighing a neutral-site move after holding the final in Las Vegas for the past three years.
All-Star Voting Window
The NBA opened fan voting for the 2026 All-Star Game on Wednesday. Balloting will close on January 14. Fan votes will account for 50% of the starter selections, while players and media members will each contribute 25%.
Source: Hoops Rumors
