The 2024/2025 NBA season has come and gone, with the Oklahoma City Thunder taking home the championship after an enthralling seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander swept all the individual awards too, including the regular season MVP award after a remarkable scoring campaign.
The Canadian star’s age and potential mean he will likely be among the frontrunners once again for the prize in the 2025/2026 season, although the likes of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and the Los Angeles Lakers duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic might have something to say about that too.
Whatever the case, the MVP race is set to be a tight one, and not just for now, but for the future too. So, we tasked Grok AI to predict the next ten winners of the NBA MVP award, and it threw up some rather intriguing story-lines to say the least. Only two players are set to take home the honours more than once, while there are a couple of shock names to lay claim to the award further down the line.
The current holder of the MVP award, Grok tips Gilgeous-Alexander to go back-to-back by winning it again come the end of the 2025/2026 regular season. The Thunder will be among the favourites once again to retain their NBA crown, and you would imagine it will fall upon SGA to deliver another historic campaign to lead the side to consecutive titles.
What Grok said: His Finals MVP performance in 2025 (32.4 PPG, 2.4 SPG in the Finals) shows his ability to elevate in big moments. At 27, he’s entering his peak, and OKC’s rise as a championship contender strengthens his narrative. Voters may shift to him if Jokic’s dominance becomes “expected.”
Perhaps the most naturally talented player in basketball right now, Luka Doncic’s trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the basketball world. The jumbo point guard has been stuffing the stats sheet ever since he broke into the league, and you can only imagine that he will be racking up the numbers in a Lakers shirt once LeBron James retires too. Able to drive to the paint and finish, and hit the step-back jumper from outside the arc too, Doncic is quickly becoming one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
What Grok said: Doncic, at 28, will be in his prime, with a game tailored for MVP voters: high-usage, triple-double-level production (32.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.0 APG in 2023-24). His playoff performances (30.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 7.8 APG) have demonstrated his ability to carry a franchise.
The biggest phenomenon to make their way into basketball in recent memory, Victor Wembanyama’s combination of size and skill makes him almost impossible to guard already. A defensive menace with his long limbs and height, the Frenchman’s footwork and touch offensively makes him an absolute nightmare. It’s no surprise Grok has tipped him to win the MVP award very soon indeed, and he will surely be in the conversation for the greatest center of all-time sooner rather than later too.
What Grok said: Wembanyama, a generational prospect, will be 24 and likely dominating on both ends. His 2023-24 stats with Metropolitans 92 (21.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 3.0 BPG) and early NBA promise suggest he could average 25+ PPG, 12+ RPG, and 3+ BPG by 2028. His unique blend of size, scoring, and defensive impact (potential DPOY) will make him a voter favorite if the Spurs become contenders. His steals (0.7 SPG) and playmaking (2.4 APG) are developing, and a breakout season could secure his first MVP.
2029 – Jayson Tatum
After suffering a devastating knee injury in 2025, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is set to miss the entire new season. It has already resulted in some seismic moves from the front office which, in a bid to take a year off while Tatum recovers, has pulled off trades left, right and centre to ensure they’re not paying big money for a team that isn’t likely to contend. When their star man does get back though, Grok has tipped him to get back to his best and even pick up an MVP award.
What Grok said: Tatum, at 30, will be a seasoned star with a 2024 championship under his belt. His playoff resume (24.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.9 APG) and regular-season consistency (26+ PPG in recent seasons) make him a strong candidate. Boston’s continued success as a top seed and Tatum’s two-way play (1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG) will keep him in the conversation.
2030 – Anthony Edwards
Quickly becoming one of the most exciting players to watch in the league, Anthony Edwards’ blend of skill and charisma makes him a fan’s delight in the NBA. Capable of throwing it down with an explosive dunk, or showing off his rapidly improving handle, Edwards has become the poster boy of the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves. According to Grok, in a few years, his two-way threat will see him pick up MVP honours.
What Grok said: Edwards, at 28, is poised for a breakout MVP season. His 2022-23 playoff stats (31.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.2 APG) and rapid improvement (RAPTOR WAR from -0.7 to 8.0) show his potential. His scoring efficiency, athleticism, and growing defensive impact (1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG) make him a two-way threat.
2031 – Victor Wembanyama
The first man Grok has predicted to win a second MVP award within the next ten years, it’s easy to see why Wembanyama is tipped for great things. A dominant force at both ends, the San Antonio Spurs star could already have picked up multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards by this point, which will only have added to his claim of being the MVP of the league too. Wembanyama in just a couple of years could well make an argument for being the best defender in NBA history.
What Grok said: By 27, Wembanyama should be a perennial MVP candidate, potentially averaging 28+ PPG, 13+ RPG, and 3+ BPG. His defensive dominance (potentially multiple DPOY awards) and offensive versatility (scoring inside and out) will be unmatched.
2032 – Cade Cunningham
Arguably the first surprise name on Grok’s predicted list, Cade Cunningham enjoyed another leap in his development during the 2024/2025 NBA season. Now playing for a Detroit Pistons team that is targeting regular play-off contention, Cunningham should benefit from playing far more meaningful basketball than he ever did. A teammate’s dream thanks to his play-making chops, if the Pistons point guard continues on this trajectory, there’s no reason why he can’t be in the conversation for the MVP of the league and eventually challenge the top 10 of the best point guards of all-time.
What Grok said: Cunningham, at 30, is having a career year in 2024-25 (25.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG), leading Detroit to a .500 record. His size (6’6”), playmaking, and scoring make him a matchup nightmare. If the Pistons become a top-4 seed in the East, his all-around game and leadership in turning around a struggling franchise could earn him the award.
2033 – Luka Doncic
After Wembanyama, Grok has now suggested Doncic will pick up his second MVP award of the decade. The Slovenian star will be in his age 34 season by this point, but Grok contends that the Lakers being in contention for the title, and Doncic maintaining his elite numbers, could once again put him right at the top of the MVP voting.
What Grok said: Doncic, at 34, could claim a second MVP if he maintains his elite production (30+ PPG, 8+ RPG, 8+ APG) and the Lakers remain a contender. His ability to control games with scoring and playmaking, plus clutch performances, keeps him relevant.
2034 – Stephon Castle
The second shock name to feature on this list, Stephon Castle winning an MVP award in the next ten years might be the biggest outside bet there is. Given the Spurs drafted Dylan Harper in the 2025 NBA draft, Castle’s role in the team might well be impacted, but if he can stake his claim to remain as the lead guard, then he should benefit enormously from playing with the likes of Wembanyama.
What Grok said: Castle, is a dark horse but a rising star. His 2024-25 rookie season (19.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG since Feb. 26) shows two-way potential. As Wembanyama’s teammate, he could benefit from a strong Spurs system, potentially leading them to a top seed.
2035 – Victor Wembanyama
And finally, in the tenth year of this prediction, Grok thinks Wembanyama will collect his third MVP award of the decade. Now 31 in this scenario, it will be interesting to see if the Frenchman’s body is still with him and hasn’t started to play up any tricks given his unique physique. Given his size and slenderness, Wembanyama might be more susceptible to injuries than most – you only have to look at other talented centers in recent years like Yao Ming, to see the impact it can have. Nevertheless, the Spurs star should be right up there in the MVP conversation once again.
What Grok said: At 31, Wembanyama will likely be at the peak of his powers, combining unparalleled defensive impact (potential multiple DPOY awards) with offensive dominance. By 2035, he could be averaging 30+ PPG, 13+ RPG, and 4+ BPG, leading the Spurs to a top seed in the West.
