Jalen Brunson (left) and Anthony Edwards are 2 of the U.S.-born names to watch in the 2025-26 Kia MVP chase.
The best players in the game? Americans. That’s easy. The best player — singular — in the game? That’s easy, too.
It has been a minute since someone born in this country could claim the latter, at least as defined by the most cherished individual award in the NBA. The last American-born winner of the Kia MVP award was James Harden … in 2018. Given how the Americans have had this game in a chokehold since it was invented, that MVP cold stretch feels like 50 years.
So … when’s the next time an American will wrestle the trophy away from the reach of Nikola Jokić (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), all previous and recent winners?
This competition feels a bit hollow because Jayson Tatum, who collected the most MVP votes by an American last season and normally would be near or at the front of the line, could miss much of the season while rehabbing.
As for LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, they’re still productive and perhaps All-NBA quality. But, these former MVPs aren’t in their prime, and they’ll need their teams to be contenders. The same, perhaps, is true for Joel Embiid (born in Cameroon, but now an American citizen) and the shaky Philadelphia 76ers.
Here are five Americans, ranked alphabetically, who stand the best chance of getting the MVP award or collecting plenty of votes in 2025-26:
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Has anyone’s profile soared more in the last three years than Brunson’s? A second-round pick in 2018 and backup point guard in Dallas, Brunson is now an elite point guard and runs New York City, the league’s largest market. He’ll be hard to ignore.
He was second, by a hair, to Cade Cunningham in scoring among point guards last season but was a more efficient shooter. His strongest case is his ability to win in the clutch, although, with a new coach in Mike Brown, Brunson may be asked to spread the wealth in those situations. That makes the Knicks even more dangerous and unpredictable late in fourth quarters.
Which leads to this: If Brunson improves as a passer and finishes among the assists leaders, that’ll be viewed favorably by voters, who could conclude that Brunson’s growth is worth more votes. Anyway, the Knicks project as a 50-plus win team and a possible top-three seed in the East. If Brunson brings the stats, mark him down as a serious contender.
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
He’s carrying the flag for the next generation of Americans and finished No. 7 in MVP voting last season. Everything is falling in place for Cunningham. He’s the centerpiece of an emerging franchise, his statistical numbers are trending north, and the Pistons are a 50-win caliber team.
Cunningham is at that stage in every MVP candidate’s career where he’s prepared to elevate himself from good to great. He’s just touching his prime and brings competitive fire and pride. If he and the Pistons break hard from the start, his MVP candidacy could gain momentum. And should he get voted an All-Star starter, then he becomes a real factor.
Of course, he could also be 1-2 years away from serious consideration as well. Cunningham could fall victim to the “wait your turn” mentality among voters. It’s up to him to reply, “my time is now.”
Check out some of Cade Cunningham’s top highlights from the 2024-25 season.
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
In case you forgot, Davis is arguably the best two-way player in basketball, and definitely among American players (his closest peer in that regard is Antetokounmpo). His ability to guard multiple positions, protect the rim, shoot with range and impact games is matched only by a select few.
Everything is about health with Davis, and that’s why, barring a stroke of good fortune, his MVP chances might be fragile, so to speak. Will Davis even reach the minimum games required (65) to be considered for MVP or any other award? He has met that figure only once since 2018.
That said, this is setting up to be a redemptive season for him, his first full season in Dallas. He’ll be out to prove he’s still in his prime, that he can carry a team, that he can keep the Mavs steeply competitive until Kyrie Irving returns, and that he can stay healthy. If he does all that, the MVP votes will follow.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
He brings the skills for heavy consideration and, just as important, the desire. Edwards wants it all, and he might get it. He’s coming off a season where he averaged 27.6 points per game (No. 4 in the league) as an improved and volume 3-point shooter, along with 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
It’s possible he can improve those numbers this season. If Edwards stays among the top five in scoring, it’ll draw notice, and if he’s leading the league in scoring much or all of the season, that could press his case.
Ultimately, though, the Timberwolves must be a 60-win team, not easy in the West, and challenge the Oklahoma CIty Thunder for the No. 1 seed. Those team goals will be Edwards’ biggest obstacles.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
The statistics, the ability to take over games especially late in the fourth quarter, and the team’s potential for big success are all in favor of Mitchell. Only Tatum collected more MVP votes last season by an American player.
The Cavs are coming off 64 wins and took the No. 1 seed in the East. The odds of a repeat in victories and seeding are strong as Boston (61 wins last season) could be weakened by Tatum’s delay and also the offseason loss of key personnel (Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis). The best player on a top seed usually becomes an MVP favorite.
In that scenario, it’s up to Mitchell to bring the numbers to strengthen his case. Anyone who finishes among the top MVP votes must have a statistical edge somewhere. He’ll likely need to finish top-five scoring and among the top rebounders among guards.
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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 Twitter.
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