SGA, Luka, Wemby & Jokic: The 5th All-NBA First Team Spot?
The race for the 2025-26 NBA Most Valuable Player award is shaping up to be a tightly contested battle, with Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama emerging as frontrunners, provided they each maintain a minimum of 65 games played. The competition, however, extends beyond the MVP conversation, sparking debate about the composition of the All-NBA First Team, particularly the selection of the fifth member.
Dončić, a perennial MVP candidate, continues to showcase his all-around brilliance, consistently delivering high-scoring performances and facilitating for the Dallas Mavericks. Jokić, the reigning MVP, remains a dominant force for the Denver Nuggets, orchestrating their offense with unparalleled vision and skill. Gilgeous-Alexander has elevated the Oklahoma City Thunder into contention, demonstrating a scoring prowess and defensive tenacity that has captivated the league. Wembanyama, in his second season with the San Antonio Spurs, is living up to the considerable hype surrounding his arrival, impacting the game on both ends of the court with his unique combination of size, skill, and athleticism. He was recently named an All-Star starter, alongside Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry, according to reports.
The criteria for All-NBA First Team selection adds another layer of complexity. Although the MVP award often favors players on top-seeded teams, the All-NBA teams are ostensibly based purely on individual performance. This distinction creates a scenario where a player on a lower-seeded team, like Gilgeous-Alexander, could earn First Team honors despite not being the MVP frontrunner. The question of who secures the final spot on the All-NBA First Team is proving to be a significant point of discussion among analysts and fans.
Current NBA MVP odds, as of March 22, 2026, reflect the close nature of the race. While specific odds fluctuate, Dončić and Jokić consistently appear at the top of sportsbook lists, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama close behind. The Hawks are also currently on an impressive winning streak, having secured 11 consecutive victories, but no Hawk player is currently considered a top contender for MVP or All-NBA First Team selection.
The upcoming schedule will be crucial in determining the eventual MVP and All-NBA selections. Head-to-head matchups between these four players will undoubtedly influence voter perception, and maintaining health throughout the remainder of the season will be paramount. The league has not yet announced a date for the official All-NBA team selections.