Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has made it perfectly clear that he wants to win MVP. In fact, he's gone as far as to say, "Obviously, I want it." Unfortunately, despite his other accolades, MVP has eluded him up to this point in his career.
Thankfully, with Walker Kessler as his center, Doncic should have a realistic shot at MVP in 2026-27—due to the manner in which the game will be simplified on both ends of the floor.
MVP is as crowded as it's ever been with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic combining for five already and not showing signs of slowing down. Chasing them will be Victor Wembanyama, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year who's fresh off of a trip to the NBA Finals.
That only scratches the surface of how deep the race for MVP is, however, as there are countless top-tier players in the hunt for the career-defining honor.
Doncic has consistently factored into the race, but never actually won it. He's a six-time All-NBA First Team honoree, but the knock against him has always been that his defensive inconsistency is too glaring to overlook, no matter how great he is on offense.
With Kessler thriving as a rim protector, offensive rebounder, and lob target, however, Doncic should have the support to improve on defense, set the pace in steals, and maintain his elite play on offense—all on a team with 60-win ambitions.
Walker Kessler should help Luka Doncic improve on D, chase MVP
Doncic finished this past season ranked sixth in the NBA in steals per game at 1.6. He's quietly emerged as one of the Association's most proficient ball hawks over the past two seasons, as he averaged 1.8 in 2024-25. He also finished this past season ranked in the 79th percentile in passing lane defense, per Basketball Index.
Unfortunately, Doncic's MVP case was derailed by his general inconsistency on defense. Per Basketball Index, he ranked in the 43rd percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 20th percentile in off-ball chaser defense.
There are some fair explanations for Doncic not necessarily ranking among the game's elite on defense, of course. He ranked No. 1 in the NBA in usage rate and points per game, and was tasked with running the Lakers' offense as its leading scorer and facilitator.
In saying that, there's a massive divide between not being elite and ranking in the bottom half or even fifth of the NBA in key defensive areas. Thankfully, Kessler should help Doncic rack up even more steals and establish a more stable all-around baseline.
Walker Kessler will unlock Luka's MVP potential on both ends of the floor
Defensively, Doncic should be able to proceed with more confidence that he doesn't need to force a turnover to get a stop knowing an elite rim protector is behind him. That should at least create a necessary degree of stability to assuage voters who doubt if a poor defender should win MVP.
Doncic should also be able to rack up even more steals and perhaps even lead the NBA in another statistical category knowing Kessler is there to cut off drives.
Offensively, Doncic now has a 7'2" target to turn to as an already elite pick and roll facilitator. Moreover, Kessler should create second chances in a way the Lakers haven't often been able to. The big man boasts an eye-opening average of 4.8 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes for his career.
With more chances to put points on the board, an elite rim protector behind him, and a long history of All-NBA First Team nods, Doncic has all of the tools to build a case for MVP.
How does Luka Doncic win MVP, then?
Clearly, Doncic is already a likely MVP candidate. For all that's said about his defense, there simply aren't many players who can average 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 4.0 three-point field goals made per game on .476/.366/.780 shooting like he did in 2025-26.
In fact: This past season, Doncic became the first and only player in NBA history to average at least 30.0 points, 8.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 4.0 three-point field goals made.
If Doncic is even in the realm of those numbers in 2026-27, his case for MVP will start out strong. From there, it's a matter of improving on defense to the point of at least not being a net negative. Leading the NBA in steals would be a feather in his cap, but consistency will define his candidacy.
The final box to tick will then be winning enough games to appease the voters who swear being the Most Valuable Player can only happen if your team is dominant.
Thankfully, the Lakers have been a top-four seed two years running. Unfortunately, the teams they're chasing in the Western Conference typically clear 60 wins with ease. If Doncic can push the Lakers into the realm of 60 wins while improving his defense and continuing to be an all-time great on offense, however, then MVP will be a realistic outcome.
With Kessler by his side and defensive improvement well within the realm of possibility, Doncic has the tools at his disposal to finally fulfill his dream of winning MVP.
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