SGA, Jokic Seen as Early MVP Frontrunners

Reigning MVP and 2025 Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander and Nikola Jokić are the consensus early frontrunners for 2025–26 individual honors, with sportsbooks placing both around +250–+300 in preseason MVP markets. The Thunder and Nuggets are widely viewed as the West’s title favorites after offseason roster moves, while Kevin Durant’s move to Houston and Bradley Beal’s buyout-to-the-Clippers remain prominent offseason narratives. Injuries to stars such as Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton have weakened the Eastern Conference, creating an open race that could benefit the New York Knicks or the Cleveland Cavaliers. Betting markets and media outlets are pricing a full slate of markets from MVP to ROY and DPOY, with Cooper Flagg an early Rookie of the Year pick and Victor Wembanyama noted as an early Defensive Player of the Year favorite. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks reshaped their roster after Damian Lillard’s departure and added spacing pieces, but questions about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term future persist if the team fails to contend.