Time almost runs out for the rising superstars! In the ever-changing landscape of the NBA world, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards are future faces of the league. There’s no denying that these rising superstars are anchors of their respective franchises. And, there’s something common between them: none of them has won an MVP award. Importantly, they have the potential to claim it. But, as they look to end the drought in the upcoming season, they have a striking threat.

All three stars repeatedly came close to the MVP conversation in the last few seasons, but it was reserved for the big men. Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo circled around the award like hawks. Will there be any chance for JT, Luka, and Ant to get their hands on the award this season? Of course, why not? But the only catch is, if they don’t win it this season, they won’t be able to win after that. That’s what senior NBA analyst Justin Termine claims.

Notably, Sirius XM’s Termine didn’t make this expansive claim without context. He pushed this narrative with a strong Victor Wembanyama factor. Speaking in the latest show, the analyst added, “It’s important for Luka to get his award this season… Over the last couple of years, I think he was favored two or three times to win an MVP. but if he doesn’t win it this year. For that matter, if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t win it this year or Tatum… Anthony Edwards or other guys, they might never win one because Wembanyama is just around the corner here.” 

Moreover, Termine didn’t just stop there. He went on to compare Wemby with greats like Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain, saying, “ How many guys did Jordan block out from winning the award? How many guys did Russell and Wilt prevent from winning the award.” So, going by Termine’s words, who among the three will win the MVP?

Will Jayson Tatum beat Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic in the MVP race?

First, let’s set aside the Victor Wembanyama factor. The French phenom entered the league with sky-high expectations and not only met them but also clinched the Rookie of the Year award. Everyone anticipates his dominance in the NBA as he matures in the league. Before that, the trio expected to become the league’s future faces have one final shot at the MVP award.

Luka Doncic finished third in the MVP race last season, averaging 33.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg and 9.8 apg. It’s truly a close one, but he definitely lost some points for his defensive skills. On the other hand, Jayson Tatum, who averaged 30.1 ppg in the 2022-23 season, managed to record only 26.9 ppg in the last season. Moreover, he also missed the opportunity to win the Finals MVP, as Jaylen Brown edged past him with a dominating performance.

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards, who hasn’t really featured in the MVP conversation, showed promising signs with his Media Day interview. Speaking of winning the MVP, he said, “Yeah, hell yeah, for sure, no question … And that’s what I’m going for. At this point, there’s nothing else to go for. I’ve got a great team, great coaching staff, and a great organization. Now it’s on me to make it happen. I’m definitely going for it.” So, who do you think will win the MVP award this season? Let us know in the comments.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.