With the 2024-25 NBA season about to tip off, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps asked 20 coaches, scouts and front-office executives to forecast the year ahead. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić led two key portions of the poll, emerging as both the league’s best player and the preseason Most Valuable Player favorite.
MVP outlook
Jokić received seven first-place votes in the MVP section, the most of any candidate. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander followed closely with five, while Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić collected four. The remaining ballots were split among San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards.
“He’s the best player, and they’ll be better,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN when explaining the support for Jokić.
An Eastern Conference executive said Dončić could mount a serious challenge “with a full season in Los Angeles” if health and motivation align.
Best player right now
The survey produced near-unanimous agreement on the NBA’s top talent: Jokić captured 19 of 20 votes in that category. Dončić received the only other ballot, while reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander was shut out.
“As long as he’s walking and breathing, it should be him,” an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN about Jokić.
This marks the third time Jokić has been voted the league’s best player in Bontemps’ annual poll, surpassing Antetokounmpo, who has topped the list twice.
Source: Hoops Wire
