Jokić Tops MVP Poll; Nuggets Overhaul Staff

An ESPN offseason poll of 20 NBA coaches, scouts and executives overwhelmingly named Nikola Jokić the league’s best player (19 of 20 votes), and seven of 20 picked him to win a fourth MVP, ahead of Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (5) and Luka Dončić (4). Voters pointed to Jokić’s blend of scoring, playmaking and rebounding — he averaged about 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists last season and already has three MVPs and a title — as the reason he remains the benchmark. Denver has executed an offseason overhaul, firing coach Michael Malone and president Calvin Booth, hiring co‑executive VPs Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace, promoting David Adelman, and adding Cam Johnson, Jonas Valančiūnas, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown. Reports that Toronto guard Fred VanVleet suffered an ACL tear were noted as a development that could reshape the Western hierarchy and potentially strengthen Denver’s outlook for 2025‑26. Although reigning regular‑season and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander remains a top contender, voters gave him surprisingly little support as the league’s best player. If Jokić secures a fourth MVP he would join the very small group of players with four or more awards.