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Kevin Durant’s MVP case: Can he make the leap?

Posted on December 19, 2024 - 4:36 am by

If the Suns get back to the race out west, it will be because of Durant. What are the chances he takes MVP this year?

As a Phoenix Suns fan, the idea of trade rumors swirling might feel like the last thing you want to deal with right now. After all, it’s easy to feel like everyone should just be traded during tough stretches! However, one name that’s certainly not going anywhere is Kevin Durant. In fact, by the trade deadline on February 6th, Durant might very well have the best odds of winning MVP.

By then, we’ll have seen a significant portion of the season play out. If the Suns are clicking and no major trades are made, much of the credit will undoubtedly go to Durant for solidifying this team as a true contender again. But, of course, the key is whether he can stay healthy. With Durant leading the charge, the Suns’ championship aspirations remain very much alive, assuming the pieces around him, including players like Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal can perform at the level needed to support a title.



The Suns’ recent struggles during Durant’s eight-game absence have made one thing clear: this team is nothing without him. His impact on both ends of the floor is undeniable, and his presence is what keeps the Suns competitive in a stacked Western Conference. Right now, if Durant can play at least 65 games this season, he’ll firmly establish himself as a frontrunner in the MVP race.

Currently sitting in 10th place on FanDuel’s MVP odds, Durant is a sleeper pick worth betting on. If you believe the Suns can push for a top-three seed in the West, then it only makes sense to bet on Durant as the catalyst for that success. His ability to dominate games and elevate his teammates could not only secure Phoenix’s place among the elite but also solidify his case for the league’s most prestigious individual award. Now might be the perfect time to place that bet.



On the other hand, Nikola Jokic for the Denver Nuggets finds himself in a different situation. While his individual brilliance remains undeniable, the Denver Nuggets have benefited from remarkable team health this season, with only 54 total games missed by players. This contrasts sharply with other teams around the league, many of which have surpassed the 100-game mark in player absences.

Diana Taurasi met her match in Skylar Diggins-Smith, so they had to beef 

Diana Taurasi is a force. Her accolades span pages and pages, she’s largely considered the greatest of all time in the WNBA, and she’s one of the most fun trash-talkers to watch play. Skylar Diggins-Smith, also being a force, a trash talker, and an All-Star guard, seemed like a great fit next to Taurasi on the Phoenix Mercury. “Seemed” is the key word here.



However, Jokic’s case for MVP weakens if the Nuggets falter in the standings. Without additional support or a significant improvement in their performance, Denver risks becoming a .500 team reliant solely on Jokic’s heroics. MVP awards are often tied to team success, and if the Nuggets can’t solidify themselves as a top contender in the West, it’s hard to justify Jokic’s place at the forefront of the MVP conversation this year. For all his talent, the lack of a strong supporting cast and team dominance may work against his campaign.

Then again, Jokic’s individual stats might just be too good to ignore if he can sustain his current level of play. Even with a less-than-stellar supporting cast, his ability to elevate his team, control games with his passing, scoring, and rebounding, and consistently impact winning could sway voters. Historically, MVP honors have been awarded to players whose individual brilliance stands out, even if their teams aren’t at the very top of the standings.



I’ll point out that Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics might be next in line to win the MVP award. It could very well be his turn. With the Celtics likely finishing with the best record in the league again and Tatum’s numbers consistently ranking among the top, it’s hard not to consider him the frontrunner.

Do you see Kevin Durant having a chance to win the award, or are there other players you think might take it this year? Personally, I still have Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies as my pick. If he can stay healthy and lead Memphis to a high seed in the Western Conference, his dynamic scoring and playmaking could make him a strong MVP candidate. It’s shaping up to be a competitive race with several worthy contenders.