Under The Radar NBA MVP Candidates
Kawhai Leonard, James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, all guys that could win the MVP. Yet, there are some names that aren’t getting the love they deserve to win the award. Quite a few under the radar players stick out. Who are some dark horses to walk away with the MVP crown?
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwowles
Here’s a name that’s never mentioned with the MVP candidates. Towns, who flourished under coach Ryan Saunders last season, is indeed a favorite to win. His 2018-19 averages of 24.4 points (13th in the NBA), 12.4 rebounds (7th in the NBA), and impressive 83 percent free throw percentage have him near the top of the NBA.
These numbers will only go up. If Towns plays like he did post All-Star break with aveegaes of 28.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 2.1 three pointers per game, he was playing at an elite level. If there was anyone who can take this Wolves team to the playoffs in the West, it’s Towns.
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
This one might be a bit of a stretch. However, looking at the jump Fox made from year 1 to year 2, the possibility of some MVP love isn’t too farfetched. Fox is a dynamic playmaker, and is the heart and leader of a Kings team that wants to make it back to the playoffs.
Last season, Fox averaged 17.3 points on a high paced Sacramento team. New head coach, Luke Walton, knows a thing or two about high scoring and MVP PG’s having coached Steph Curry. While Fox won’t average 30 points, he’s a good bet to get up into the 24 range. Combine that with an uptick in assists (7.3 last season), and he’s a serious contender to surprise a lot of people at seasons end.
Damian Lillard, Portland TrailBlazers
Lillard has always been mentioned in MVP talks, just he’s never been taken as a serious threat to actually win the award. Now, with the best team he’s had since being drafted by Portland, the dynamic PG has to be one of the less talked about candidates for MVP.
Already one of the leagues most dynamic scorers (25.8 points per game in 2018-19), Lillard has the all-around game that can get him the MVP trophy. He averaged 6.9 assists (a number that will go up with the additions the Blazers have brought in), 4.6 rebounds, and 3 three-pointers a game. He might not have the triple double knack like Russell Westbrook, however, he’s on the short list of MVP candidates.
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
Assuming the Magic fight for a playoff spot, Vucevic will be a candidate for MVP. He’s not sexy in anything he does, however, he’ll get the job done. A lot will just assume Vuc is a poor man’s version of Nikola Jokic. That couldn’t be more wrong.
While the point totals (20.8 ppg in 2018-19) didn’t measure up against the elite of the NBA, Vucevic is an elite NBA scoring threat. The Magic coaching staff needs to find a way to give him the ball more often. He’s a 51.8 percentage shooter. Last season was his best yet when it came to scoring, so hopefully Vucevic can take that success and bring it into this upcoming season. A 25 point average isn’t out of the questing for Vuc.
There are many more names that could be considered as dark horses for an MVP. These are just a few that might take fans a bit off guard come end of season.
Image Source: Ethan Miller (Getty)
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
