Luka Doncic getting plenty of early MVP love including from ESPN experts

The Dallas Mavericks and their fans are wondering when Luka Doncic will win his first MVP honors. The 23-year-old’s combination of production, highlights, and offensive mastery makes him among the most unique players in the league. Doncic entered the season as the betting favorite to win MVP two straight years, and he finished in the top six in the final voting three consecutive years.

Dirk Nowitzki won MVP honors in 2007 and remains the only Maverick to win the award. Can Luka take home the MVP in 2023?

The competition will be stiff with former two-time winners Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Stephen Curry joining Luka on the leading list of candidates. Jalen Rose recently predicted that Doncic will win MVP in 2023, and he is not the only ESPN analyst thinking it is time for the Mavericks superstar.

Luka Doncic getting plenty of early MVP love including from ESPN experts

ESPN continued their Summer Forecast on Thursday with award predictions, and Doncic was tied for second in the MVP balloting with Joel Embiid. The duo trailed just Giannis Antetokounmpo on the list.

Doncic was fantastic in the second half of last season, and he is focused on his conditioning this summer. If the 6’7 guard enters next season in peak form, he will be the favorite to win MVP. Luka has a busy six weeks ahead before training camp, and it should only help keep his conditioning in top form heading into the season.

Doncic was not the only Maverick to make the awards list. Jason Kidd finished fourth in Coach of the Year balloting, and Spencer Dinwiddie was sixth in the Sixth Man of the Year voting.

The key to Luka winning MVP in 2023 could be the Mavs record. Voters look negatively if the player’s team does not finish near the top of the conference. Luka Doncic needs to push the Dallas Mavericks into the top four and keep producing his outstanding number if he wants to be in the running for MVP in 2023. Will it happen? Stay tuned to find out.