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NBA expert tips LA Lakers players to win two awards in 2025-26, become the first NBA team to do so

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 6:31 PM ET

If the Los Angeles Lakers find success with Luka Doncic, they could have two players in the race to win NBA awards at the end of the season.

In his first 28 games with the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists while shooting 43.8% from the floor. It was his worst stretch since his rookie season.

Between being traded from the Dallas Mavericks, his calf injury, and lingering concerns about his weight, fans have seemingly forgotten that Doncic is one of the three best players in the world, and with a full summer spent getting in shape and back in playing condition, he is expected to put the league on notice.

Doncic once again will be in the MVP race, and one of his new teammates might be in the running to win an award of their own.

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How Luka Doncic can win NBA MVP

In his seven NBA seasons, Doncic has made five All-NBA First Teams and has been in the top five of the MVP vote three times. With the added attention of playing in Los Angeles next to LeBron James and the narratives surrounding his “revenge tour,” Doncic could very easily win his first MVP this season.

However, things will have to fall his way.

“He would have to either do the Giannis thing where his numbers are ridiculous and they are the six seed or whatever, or his numbers are Luka numbers, but they’re top four, you know, and I don’t know if they’ve got the talent for that,” predicted Dave DuFour.

Between juggernauts like the Thunder, Rockets, Nuggets, and Timberwolves, it’s hard to imagine the Lakers finishing in the top four, although “Luka Magic” is a true megastar, and he could put the Lakers on his back.

The only question is if he can lead for an entire 82-game season. To his credit, the Lakers did add Deandre Ayton, who can be a high-level center.

“Luka’s MVP case is Ayton having an All-Star season,” argued Es Baraheni.

If Ayton breaks out as a true third or fourth option on a top-seeded Lakers team, his finally making an All-Star game after years of scrutiny is not out of reach, and he could also bring him an individual award at the end of the season.

Deandre Ayton is an MIP candidate

There is no denying that Ayton is a great player. Since entering the league in 2018, he has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds, seemingly without any effort.

His lack of effort has long been the biggest knock of his career, but he is on a “prove it” contract and will suit up alongside Doncic and James, two of the fiercest competitors in the league.

If he can finally tap into his limitless potential, Ayton might be able to take home the George Mikan Trophy.

“Deandre Ayton for most improved player to me seems nice,” DuFour said. “It’s about his career, not the expectations. You know what I mean? I mean, if you look at the year he had last year, it’s not good at all.”

A former top pick winning MIP might not be in the spirit of the award, although Ayton is so far removed from being drafted that it could be overlooked.

No team in NBA history has boasted both the MVP and MIP, and the Lakers could be the first, provided Ayton and Doncic fit together well.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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