Will the 2024-25 season be the year of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? A group of NBA executives clearly believes so.
In the latest installment of John Schuhmann's annual NBA GM survey, Gilgeous-Alexander's name was a popular one. Among the 50 questions asked to the GMs, Gilgeous-Alexander's name was the top answer for the league's highest regular-season honor.
40 percent of the GMs polled picked Gilgeous-Alexander to win MVP of the 2024-25 season, making him the favorite to win the award. Last year, eventual winner Nikola Jokic finished first with 43 percent of votes, meaning Gilgeous-Alexander landing first could be a sign of positive things to come.
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Coming in after Gilgeous-Alexander was Luka Doncic in second followed by a three-way tie between Jokic, Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum.
Here is a look at the complete results:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 40%
- Luka Doncic — 30%
- Joel Embiid — 7%
Nikola Jokic — 7%
Jayson Tatum — 7%
Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander was runner-up for the end-of-season MVP award as his 15 first-place votes fell shy of Jokic's 79 first-place votes.
Despite coming up short of winning the award, it was a career year for Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged an efficient 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists over 75 games, leading the Thunder to the West's No. 1 seed with his efforts.
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After winning 57 games in 2023-24, Gilgeous-Alexander's OKC squad was also voted as making the best 2024 offseason moves among all NBA teams. After making major acquisitions, the Thunder have a chance to be a 60-win team with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge.
Should Gilgeous-Alexander turn in similar numbers for a team that again sits atop the Western Conference standings, he could have an ironclad MVP case.
In addition to earning the most votes to win MVP this season, Gilgeous-Alexander earned second-most votes for the league's best point guard and player to build a franchise around.
With these results in mind, a big year could be in store for both Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder.
