Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Still Leads MVP Straw Poll; 2026 No. 1 Pick Pegged at $100 Million; Pau Gasol Elected to IOC Board
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NEW YORK — Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear favorite to repeat as NBA Most Valuable Player, finishing first in ESPN’s second 2025-26 straw poll, reporter Tim Bontemps revealed. Gilgeous-Alexander appeared on all 100 ballots and collected 930 points.
The poll shows Denver center Nikola Jokić in second place with 700 points, though the three-time MVP’s knee injury has already cost him 15 games. Under the league’s 65-game minimum for major awards, Jokić can miss only two more contests and remain eligible.
Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (382 points) and Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama (242 points) were the only other players to receive first-place votes. Lakers guard Luka Dončić completed the top five at 177 points.
Executive Puts $100 Million Price Tag on 2026 Top Pick
Discussing the 2026 draft on ESPN’s “Hoop Collective” podcast, Brian Windhorst said a high-ranking team official believes the No. 1 overall selection would sell for roughly $100 million if it could be auctioned. The comment came after Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson scored 23 points in 18 minutes, reinforcing his status as a projected top-three prospect.
Despite intermittent absences due to injury, multiple scouts told The Athletic that Peterson’s elite shot-making secures his place near the top of the class. “When he’s fully healthy, the shot-making is on another level,” one evaluator said.
Pau Gasol Chosen for IOC Athletes’ Commission Seat
Hall of Famer Pau Gasol has been elected by his peers to serve on the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission through the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the Associated Press reported. The two-time NBA champion will represent Olympic athletes on the IOC board for the next six years.
Source: Hoops Rumors
