As the 2021-2022 NBA season begins to unfold, MVP talks will be held all season long. With the ever-growing talent in the NBA, the MVP seems more prestigious as seasons go on. Here are some predictions for the 2021-2022 MVP.

Luka Doncic

The evolution Luka Doncic has experienced since being drafted has been nothing short of remarkable. Doncic is already arguably a top 5 player in the league. Doncic has almost single-handedly carried the Mavericks in two playoff series against the Clippers. He does everything for the Mavericks. Again this season Doncic will have to do the same and he could be even better than last season. In the last two seasons, Doncic has been on the verge of averaging a triple-double, and this year he might be able to. This might just be Doncic’s year to win his first MVP.

Stephen Curry

Last season Stephen Curry made a late push for the MVP which many fans rallied behind. Unfortunately for Curry, Nikola Jokic won the award. However, with Klay Thompson going to be out until at least January, Curry is going to have to up his game to make sure the Warriors stay afloat in the playoff race. Last season Curry averaged 32 points per game, the most ever in his career.  It seems Curry is still getting better as a player and the team around him this year should benefit him way more than it did last year, helping his chances of winning the MVP.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant emerged as the best player in the world in last year's playoffs. Durant still looks as unstoppable at the age of 33 as he did at 25 when he won his first MVP. With the uncertainty of Kyrie Irving’s status, Durant is going to have up his game to make sure the Nets don’t slip up. Durant averaged 34.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 51.4% from the field and 40.2% from the distance. That’s an unreal statline especially for the playoffs, expect more of the same from Durant in the 2021-2022 season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Coming off a Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, doesn’t even seem to have entered his prime. Antetokounmpo has won two MVPs in his career back to back. After annihilating the opposition in the playoffs last season without having a consistent jumpshot, that may change this year. Antetokounmpo has shown glimpses of a developing jumpshot that would prove to be devastating for the rest of the league. He also gets it done on both ends of the floor, something a lot of superstars lack. This is going to be Antetokounmpo's league to run in the future and it may be even this season with possibly another MVP on the way.

Joel Embiid

In the 2020-2021 season Embiid was consistently in MVP talks as he thrived with the Sixers. However, following an injury Embiid lost the momentum he had in the award. Embiid is arguably the best center in the whole league and now with the Ben Simmons situation, Embiid may want it even more to prove that he's the true franchise player over Simmons. In the 2020-2021 season Embiid upped his points per game by 5.5 from the previous season averaging 28.5 while also upping his field goal percentage by 3.6% and finishing at 51.3% from the field. If this upward production in Embiid’s game can continue it could be the push he needs to take home an MVP trophy this season.

Patrick Lepre is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email pjl5466@psu.edu.