As the 2025-26 NBA regular season enters its final stretch, the race for the Michael Jordan Trophy has reached a fever pitch. According to the latest NBA MVP straw poll conducted by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, a dramatic shift in the hierarchy has occurred. While the early months of the season suggested a wide-open field of perennial superstars, the consensus among league insiders has narrowed significantly. We have officially entered a new phase of the race where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama have separated themselves into an exclusive tier, leaving the rest of the league’s elite to battle for the remaining spots on the ballot.
The Results of the 100-Voter NBA MVP Straw Poll
To capture the current pulse of the award race, the NBA MVP straw poll surveyed 100 media members representing every NBA market. The results confirm that the momentum has swung toward two specific generational talents. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the foundational superstar for the Oklahoma City Thunder, continues to be the model of efficiency and winning. However, the biggest story of the poll is the meteoric rise of Victor Wembanyama, whose late-season push for the San Antonio Spurs has forced voters to reconsider the traditional criteria for the league's highest individual honor.
The straw poll utilized the same weighted system as the official end-of-season ballot: 10 points for a first-place vote, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth, and one for fifth. The final tally revealed a massive points gap between the top two candidates and the chasing pack, which includes multi-time winners and scoring champions alike.
Breaking Down the Elite Tier: SGA vs. Wemby
The debate at the top of the NBA MVP straw poll has become a fascinating clash of philosophies. On one hand, you have the established dominance of a championship contender; on the other, you have a defensive force that is rewriting the record books in real-time.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Case for the Crown
For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP case is built on the bedrock of consistency. Leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the upper echelon of the Western Conference, SGA has masterfully balanced high-volume scoring with elite perimeter defense. Voters cited his ability to remain the league's most reliable late-game performer as a primary reason for his high standing. In a league that often prioritizes team success, the Thunder’s position near the top of the standings gives Gilgeous-Alexander a formidable edge.
Victor Wembanyama’s Historic Junior Campaign
While SGA represents the standard of excellence, Victor Wembanyama represents a paradigm shift. Now in his junior campaign, the Spurs' center has evolved from a defensive specialist into a two-way juggernaut. Despite the San Antonio Spurs hovering lower in the standings than the Thunder, Wembanyama’s individual impact has become undeniable. He currently leads the league in blocks by a historic margin and has seen his offensive efficiency skyrocket. Insiders polled noted that Wembanyama’s "late push" is driven by the fact that he is essentially a one-man defensive system, making the Spurs competitive against the league's best teams.
Chasing the Leaders: The Rest of the Field
While the top tier is currently occupied by SGA and Wemby, the NBA MVP straw poll highlights a fierce battle for the third spot. The chasing pack features some of the greatest players to ever lace them up, all of whom remain within striking distance if the leaders stumble in the final weeks.
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets' Standard
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets remains a constant fixture in the top three. Seeking to further cement his legacy, Jokic continues to post triple-double averages while keeping Denver in the hunt for the top seed. While some voters expressed "voter fatigue," his advanced metrics remain the gold standard of the league, ensuring he will receive plenty of first-place consideration when the official ballots are cast.
Luka Doncic and the Mavericks' Surge
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks have also made a strong showing in the poll. Doncic’s ability to carry the offensive load for Dallas has kept him firmly in the conversation. His historic scoring outbursts this season have been a highlight of the 2025-26 calendar, and many insiders believe that if the Mavericks can finish the season on a double-digit winning streak, Luka could bridge the gap to the SGA-Wemby tier.
Beyond the MVP: The Rookie Race
The survey also took a moment to look at the future of the league by polling insiders on the race for the top rookie. While Wembanyama’s third-season leap has dominated the headlines, the 2025-26 rookie class has produced its own standout stars. Cooper Flagg has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award, living up to the massive hype with his versatile play for a rebuilding franchise.
Other rookies from the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers have shown flashes of brilliance, but Flagg’s impact on both ends of the floor mirrors the early trajectory of the very MVP candidates he hopes to challenge in the years to come.
Final Outlook for the Award Season
With critical matchups remaining for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers, the final weeks of the season will serve as the ultimate proving ground. Whether it is Jayson Tatum leading the Celtics to the best record in the East or Anthony Edwards elevating the Timberwolves, every performance is now under the microscope.
As it stands, the NBA MVP straw poll suggests that the trophy is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s to lose, but Victor Wembanyama is breathing down his neck. The final month of the 2025-26 season promises to be one of the most closely contested races in NBA history.
Sources & Original Reporting
