Sam Yip of HoopsHype recently compiled data from 23 years of the annual NBA GM Survey. With it, Yip broke down the teams, players, and coaches who have been projected to win the honors bestowed with each passing season, including MVP.
A shocking revelation came from that compilation of data: Luka Doncic is the only player whom the NBA GM Survey named as a favorite to win MVP who has yet to claim the honor.
With data going back to 2002-03, nine players have been named the NBA GM Survey favorite to win MVP. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James leads the way with 11 projected wins and Kevin Durant checked in at a distant second with three.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tim Duncan both received two nods, making them the only other players with multiple selections as effective frontrunners for MVP.
The one-time wonders on the list were Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Shaquille O'Neal. It's a testament to Doncic's greatness that he's been mentioned among a list of remarkable names who are either in or destined for the Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, Doncic remains the only player on the list who has not yet won an MVP award—a less than ideal distinction that reveals the one element missing from his already legendary résumé.
Luka Doncic: NBA GM Survey's only projected MVP to never win award
At 26 years of age, Doncic has compiled a résumé that should enable him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He's a five-time All-NBA First Team honoree and five-time All-Star, as well as a scoring champion, a Rookie of the Year, and the only player in NBA history to finish the Playoffs leading all players in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
Doncic has also been the go-to player on two Dallas Mavericks teams that reached the 2024 NBA Finals and the 2022 Western Conference Finals.
Even if one were to ignore his remarkable international career, Doncic's legacy would be safe as one of the best players of his generation. The crowning achievement of players who are viewed as potential faces of the NBA, however, is the MVP award.
For Doncic, who has been hyped as a generational talent, winning that elusive honor would undoubtedly put a bow on an otherwise legendary career and secure him that top-star status.
Clearly, Doncic and the Lakers would prefer to win a championship if they had to choose between the honors. Thankfully, history shows that it's possible for a player to win MVP and still go on and not only compete for a title, but win one.
That was proven as recently as 2024-25, when Gilgeous-Alexander won MVP, Finals MVP, a scoring title, and a championship in the same season.
The Lakers would undoubtedly love to see Doncic achieve something similar during his first full season as their new franchise player. He'll have considerable support if health permits, including a four-time MVP in James.
Doncic still has plenty of time to win MVP, but it's still strange to see his name as the lone projected winner to never take home the honor.