Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has been ranked second in ESPN’s preseason MVP survey ahead of the 2025-26 NBA campaign.
The panel of reporters, editors and analysts placed Nikola Jokic first, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rounding out the top three.
Jokic earned the top spot after a dominant 2024-25 season in which he became only the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double. He posted 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, voters were impressed by Jokic’s postseason duel with Gilgeous-Alexander and expect him to remain the favorite entering the new season. She added that Doncic’s offseason conditioning also caught attention, with the slimmer Lakers guard coming in second place in the poll.
Doncic, 26, split last season between the Dallas Mavericks and Lakers after being traded midyear. He averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28 games with Los Angeles, maintaining his status as one of the league’s most versatile offensive players.
Despite his shortened regular season, Doncic delivered in the playoffs. He averaged 30.2 points and nearly six assists per game in his first postseason run with the Lakers, showing he could adapt quickly to a new roster.
Team performance is expected to play a key role in Doncic’s MVP chances. The Lakers are building around him following a first-round playoff exit last spring, hoping his leadership will help push the franchise deeper into contention.
Gilgeous-Alexander, last season’s MVP, landed third in the rankings. The Thunder guard guided Oklahoma City to its first championship in nearly five decades, but ESPN’s panel noted that team success and voter fatigue could affect his repeat chances.
