NBA Coaches, Scouts, Executives Expect Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić To Win 2025-26 MVP Award

NBA coaches, scouts and executives expect Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić to win the 2025-26 MVP Award, according to ESPN.

Jokić is a three-time MVP. He won MVP in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

“[Jokic is] the best player, and they’ll be better,” said a West scout.

Jokić finished second in MVP voting last season. The big man averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 57.6% from the field, 41.7% from beyond the arc and 80.0% from the free-throw line. He recorded 59 double-doubles and 34 triple-doubles.

A future Hall of Famer, Jokić guided the Nuggets to the 2023 championship against the Miami Heat. Denver won 50 games in 2024-25 and beat the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semifinals in seven games.

The Nuggets were extremely busy this offseason, surrounding Jokić with more talent. The front office signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson and sent Dario Šarić to the Sacramento Kings for Jonas Valančiūnas.

Denver also chose not to re-sign Russell Westbrook and DeAndre Jordan.

One of the best players in NBA history, Jokić enters 2025-26 with career averages of 21.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks. The seven-time All-Star informed the Nuggets on July 8 that he wouldn’t sign an extension this offseason. 

Jokić can make more money next offseason, which is why the Nuggets weren’t shocked or worried by the move. 

The Nuggets are widely expected to start Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Jokić in 2025-26.