NBA execs think Luka Doncic will win league MVP award this season

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could win his third straight NBA MVP award during the 2020-21 season. However, multiple NBA executives don't see that happening. 

ESPN's Tim Bontemps interviewed a number of NBA execs on a variety of topics. One of those topics, of course, was who they think will win the MVP award this coming season. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was the favorite. 

"It's hard to see Giannis winning three in a row," a Western Conference scout told Bontemps, "and I think there's more of an opportunity for Luka to kind of put on an MVP show and do more on an individual basis."

Other players receiving votes included Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic, Portland Trail Blazers leader Damian Lillard and Antetokounmpo. 

Last year, the MVP finalists included James Harden, LeBron James and Antetokounmpo, who won his second consecutive award. With James pursuing another title over individual glory, he might not be up for the award in 2021, leaving space for Doncic. 

The 21-year-old, who will turn 22 in February, was named to the All-NBA First Team last season alongside Antetokounmpo, James, Harden and Anthony Davis. It's not necessarily surprising that multiple executives believe he's an MVP-caliber player.

In his second season with the Mavericks, Doncic averaged 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 31.6% from deep. The Slovenian is primed to improve those numbers during the 2020-21 campaign.