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Nikola Jokic would have been considered a dark horse candidate for the NBA MVP Award prior to the beginning of last season. Yet the Serbian big man took home the hardware that so many in the league strive to win year after year.
In 2021-22, your typical candidates are Jokic, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Steph Curry, James Harden, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. After that group, any leaguewide All-Star in their prime could end up being awarded the MVP award if they have career years.
Here are my five dark horse candidates to win the KIA NBA MVP Award in the 2021-22 NBA season.
#5 Paul George
Paul George is going to have to carry the Los Angeles Clippers through Kawhi Leonard's absence this upcoming season. George has received an overwhelming amount of ridicule the past few seasons, despite regularly performing well in both the playoffs and the regular season.
Most people seem to be ready for the Clippers to take a notable step back in Kawhi's absence. If Paul George can remain consistent throughout the season and carry the Clippers to the top three seeds in the Western Conference, he could find himself garnering MVP consideration.
It's easy to forget that in 2018-19 George finished third in MVP voting behind James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo. When healthy and at peak performance, Paul George deserves to be mentioned with the best in the game.
#4 Chris Paul
It's surprising that Chris Paul's name wasn't mentioned in the MVP conversation more often last season. The Phoenix Suns were regularly at the bottom of the Western Conference prior to Paul's arrival and he was a major aspect of their Finals run.
With that playoff campaign still fresh in people's minds, Paul could garner consideration if Phoenix finishes near the top of the Western Conference. While healthy, it could be argued that Paul is the best point guard in basketball, and his averages last season were certainly nothing to scoff at.
The 6'0" veteran tallied 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game last season. He did so while shooting 49.9 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three, and a league-leading 93.4 percent from the free-throw line.
If Paul remains healthy, is a league-leader in assists, and captains the Suns to an impressive record, then he could find himself in consideration for MVP.
#3 Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat's acquisition of Kyle Lowry this offseason could very well catapult them to compete for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, especially if Victor Oladipo starts to return to form. While Jimmy Butler is labeled the leader of that team, Bam Adebayo might be their best player.
Bam's defensive presence is apparent on a consistent basis, and he should have been considered for Defensive Player of the Year last season. I would expect a similar production on that end of the floor in 2021-22, and at 24 years old a jump in his offensive numbers may come.
His MVP argument would likely have to revolve around him being the best player on the best team in the league record wise. His counting stats would need to make a notable jump, but 18 points and nine rebounds a game last season is a promising starting point.
#2 Bradley Beal
Team success has been the only thing holding Bradley Beal back from being mentioned in the MVP conversation throughout the last few seasons. Beal trailed only Steph Curry in total points per game last season, with an average of 31.3 a night.
31 points is a career-high for a good number of NBA players, and Beal has shown the ability to do that on a nightly basis while remaining efficient.
In order for Beal to be mentioned in the MVP conversation, the Wizards would likely need to finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference. While that is not likely, the addition of Spencer Dinwiddie would be ideal for complimenting Beal and becoming competent on defense as a team.
Internal improvements could appear in Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, and the return of Thomas Bryant. Adding former Los Angeles Lakers' Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope may help with Washington's depth.
Bradley Beal already has the numbers, but if his team can step up and have more success he will have serious consideration for the MVP award.
#1 Donovan Mitchell
While the Utah Jazz were a rare case of having six players average over double digits last season, Mitchell was at the top. He tallied 26.4 points per night while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three.
If the Jazz can continue their regular-season success, it would be hard not to at least consider Mitchell for MVP. Utah finished with the best record in the Western Conference last season, with Mitchell leading the pack.
Improved efficiency, specifically finishing at the rim where he converted 45 percent of his attempts last season, would be a notable jump for Mitchell and add to his already impressive scoring total.
It also helps that he is bound to have a few highlight moments. As I said with Bam, the best player on the best team is always involved in the MVP conversation, and Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz may meet those requirements in 2021-22.
Guess the Lakers players!
