For the next five seasons, at least, the NBA’s MVP discussion appears to be locked around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the most recent winner, Nikola Jokic, who has three in his showroom, and Luka Doncic, a superstar eager to win his first. Beyond those three are Eastern Conference megastars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum.
Before the new generation was the old, consisting of James Harden, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James, three of the few who carried the MVP races annually throughout the 2010s.
However, as they have all aged into the final playing days of their careers, fans do not anticipate any one of them having a bounce back season, so strong that they re-enter the league’s MVP choices.
Yet, anything in the NBA can happen, and Harden, in particular, loves to do what most dream of at his age, 36, such as being the pilot on a 50-win franchise with selections to All-Star and All-NBA teams.
Moreover, Harden returning to the feats he achieved with the Houston Rockets on the LA Clippers is borderline impossible. He will play enough games, but the last few seasons have showcased the 11-time All-Star as scoring less, passing more, and shooting with lower efficiency.
On the contrary, the Clippers have added enough depth to aid Harden to a level where, if everyone puts on a nightly clinic, the lead floor general could find himself as an MVP candidate for the 2025-26 regular season.
With help from Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, and Ivica Zubac, James Harden could become an MVP Finalist next season
Winning as the first option is the first aspect voters analyze when selecting the finalists for MVP, and that is something James Harden already has achieved and will continue to do throughout next season, if the LA Clippers remain healthy.
Furthermore, Harden ended the most recent regular season with improved efficiencies, such as 43.6% from the field in March and 51.3% in April. This occurred when LA was on fire, and guys like Ivica Zubac and Kawhi Leonard were also dominating.
Next season, the Clippers will have Bradley Beal to join Leonard and Zubac in producing exceptionally efficient scoring nights next to Harden, who enters his 17th season with an elite bench and center rotation.
If Harden can play most of the season, average roughly a 23-point double-double, shoot the ball well, and win over 55 games, he will be the most surprising MVP candidate in the league, and it will not even be close.