24 storylines: Three young stars in reach of MVP

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We’re counting down 24 key storylines heading into the 2024-25 NBA season. Our senior analysts will dissect a new topic each day as we help you get ready for opening night on Oct. 22.
Here is storyline No. 2:
These three young stars should make a lot of noise in this season’s MVP race.
It’s their turn. It’s their time. And quite possibly, before any of them ever lift the biggest trophy — the Larry O’Brien — they could raise another one first.
Nobody will be surprised if the 2025 Michael Jordan Trophy for the Kia MVP goes to Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Anthony Edwards next spring. Their growth, ability to lead teams to high places and impact are all pointing in that direction. Like, right now, who are you taking for the MVP award — Luka-Ant-Shai, or the field?
Luka could lead the league in scoring and assists the same season and finish top-two among rebounders on the Mavericks. Remember, he is only 25, although it seems he has been this dominant for much longer — five times All-NBA First Team.
Edwards is poised to make his maiden All-NBA First Team. He doesn’t own Luka’s body of work, but again, he just turned 23. Notable improvements on both sides of the ball will give Edwards a leg up on the competition. And with Karl-Anthony Towns now in New York, Edwards could accept an even greater scoring role.
Shai is coming off an MVP finalist season and his second-straight All-NBA First Team honor. He’s the oldest of the three at 26, so perhaps, from an experience standpoint, he’s due. Shai will challenge Luka (among others) for the scoring crown, and most importantly, Oklahoma City could finish with the league’s best record, which always reflects well for MVP candidates.
The award has been dominated by big men lately and maybe the time has come for someone with a high usage rate and the ball in his hands with the game on the line.
Coincidently, all three are in the Western Conference, which is why team record could be a deciding factor. While OKC would seemingly have an edge, don’t dismiss the Mavericks or Timberwolves finishing closely behind and therefore minimizing the won-loss factor.
Could someone else have an epic season and pull a semi-surprise for the award? Possibly. Jayson Tatum is the most likely candidate because the Celtics are projected for a rich regular season.
These sneak attacks aren’t very common, though. When it’s regarding the MVP, you can see it coming. Again, the preseason odds favor three players in particular. They’re all under 27. And they’re ready.
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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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