NBA.com has published Shaun Powell's ten-player watchlist before the 2026/27 MVP race. Names are presented alphabetically, not as first-to-tenth rankings or the result of an official vote.
A preseason starting point
The list includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum and Victor Wembanyama.
Powell considers previous performance, team roles and collective prospects in explaining their cases. These are an analyst's preseason judgments rather than outcomes from the coming campaign.
The first ranked Kia MVP Ladder is scheduled for November 6. That later tracking feature is itself separate from the end-of-season award decision.
Conditions still matter
Established winners such as Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Antetokounmpo bring strong records, but the article still connects their chances with consistency and team results.
Brunson enters after a Finals MVP honour, while Cunningham's case concerns his role leading Detroit. Doncic and Edwards are discussed through scoring opportunities and attacking responsibilities.
Mitchell, Tatum and Wembanyama also face questions involving availability, minutes, roles and wins. Forecasts of team records remain projections, not completed results.
Being included does not guarantee a final ballot position or sustained status throughout the season. Powell also identifies other players who could enter the discussion as performances change.
The watchlist is therefore an opening framework for observation rather than an official restriction on candidates. The actual season must produce the evidence before the MVP honour is awarded.