NBA MVP Power Rankings: Nikola Jokic stays at No. 1, who drops?

3. Luka Doncic

Last week's rank: 2

Luka Doncic will drop one spot after the Mavericks recent struggles.

Doncic and the Mavs currently look at a 10-6 record, but after losing three out of their last four games, it's clear something isn't right in Dallas. The loss of Dereck Lively II has had a huge impact on the team and that can be seen in the Mavericks' loss to the Clippers.

However, even with the loss of Lively, it's clear the team's struggles have come defensively. Early in the season, when the Mavs started hot, the team bonded over their defensive assignments. Now, just over a month into the new season, it's clear the Mavericks' struggles are still apparent from last year.

Despite the Mavericks' recent struggles, Doncic has looked wizardly in almost every game. The Mavericks' West Coast road trip may have exposed the Mavs defensively, but it didn't expose Doncic on offense. He scored 30 points in both games and had some sweet passes to Kyrie Irving late in the win over the Lakers.

For the season, Doncic has averaged 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists per game. With numbers like these, Doncic could easily become this year's MVP, but it all hinges on how the Mavericks perform this season.

The Mavericks' schedule won't get any easier from here. They will play the Houston Rockets on Tuesday for their first matchup this season against their in-state rival.