It has been seven full seasons since Kevin Durant was named regular season MVP. Of course, the 2014 MVP also boasts two NBA Finals MVPs in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018. With 12 games under his belt, it appears KD has a realistic shot at some more hardware in his trophy collection next spring.

2021-22 MVP Rankings

4. Luka Doncic

The fourth year Slovenian sensation comes in averaging 24.5 points, seven dimes and eight assists per game. Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks are built around him, and unlike the Brooklyn Nets who have James Harden (and maybe one day Kyrie Irving), the Mavs are heliocentric. Luka is the sun and everything in Dallas revolves around him.

As such, their team probably does not have the same chances of winning an NBA title as teams with more than a single star. On the other hand, that does give Luka a shot at the MVP. The Mavs are 7-4, and however far they go, he'll deservedly deserve the credit. If Dallas (currently in 4th place in the West) contends for home court all season long, Doncic will have a claim on the trophy.

Luka, like James Harden, hasn't appeared thrilled with the new rule changes so far. He isn't getting to the rim for fouls as often as last season. But there's plenty of time and viral moments like his game-winner against the Boston Celtics won't hurt his cause.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis may have suffered from “you just won the last two MVPs bro, we're bored with you” fatigue last season. Despite his two-way dominance, the Greek Freak didn't win that all important media-narrative in 2021. Nikoka Jokic stole it.

However, Giannis more than made up for that once the postseason and NBA Finals rolled around.

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The 2021 Finals MVP is going to be in the ring for Defensive Player of the Year and MVP pretty much every season moving forwards. Nonetheless, there is a phenomena that James Harden may know well. If you've already set a very high bar for yourself, you're now competing against other MVP candidates AND voter's lofty expectations for you.

Even if Giannis were the best player this season, he couldn't afford to be any less dominant than he has been in prior years, otherwise he's not as fun to vote for.

Milwaukee now sits at 6-6. If the defending champs underachieve this regulars season, it's harder to see a path for another Giannis MVP ceremony come next spring.

2. Kevin Durant

As of now, KD (+600) has the second best odds for MVP, per Kyle Newman at Oddschecker.com. The 11-time All-Star is leading the NBA in scoring with 29.5 points to go with 8.5 boards and 5.0 assists. He's shooting over 40 percent from deep.

It's all there for KD. The shot is falling. He's playing sharp defensively. He's crashing the glass and making plays for his teammates. He's the Nets' unquestioned leader. And there is the whole “he's been a rock through the Kyrie Irving thing” narrative working for him as well.

The Nets will probably have to finish with one of the top three seeds in the East for him to have a real shot. Most players who win the award do tend to play for teams who have a ton of regular season success. If for example, the Bucks or Golden State Warriors had the best record in the league, it might be harder for some voters to justify giving Durant their vote over one of Giannis or this next player.

Brooklyn hasn't been nearly as conservative with KD's minutes this season so far as they were last year. If they continue deploying him at full-go, he should stay atop this list.

1. Stephen Curry

Kevin Durant's former teammate in Golden State is thriving through 11 games so far. The 2015 MVP has his Warriors in possession of the league's best record at 10-1. The elder and senior member of the Splash Brothers is ripping nets and taking names so far.

Second only to Durant in points, Steph is averaging 27.4 points to go with his 6.5 assists and 6.5 boards. His 38.5 percent shooting from deep on a preposterous 13 triples attempted per game is bananas.

If Klay Thompson returns to the Dubs lineup, it's possible they could maintain their stake on the West's top seed. That would make it hard for KD to catch the point guard he won a couple rings with in votes.