With the NBA Finals currently taking place, it is perhaps the best time to take a look at each of the NBA franchises’ MVPs for this season and look at how well they each performed.

Indeed, with so many different NBA and basketball betting opportunities still available to take advantage of because of the continued NBA Championships and the Eastern and Western Conference games that are still to take place, it will be important for people to know who have been the best players on the court for each respective team throughout the 2021 NBA season.

Although the basketball action might have ended for many of the teams involved, it is always a good idea to look at who starred for them when they were playing, as it could potentially provide an insight into what could be expected in the future!

NBA 20/21 MVP Candidates for each team

Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young

Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum

Brooklyn Nets: James Harden

Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball

Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine

Cleveland Cavaliers: Collin Sexton

Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic

Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic

Detroit Pistons: Jerami Grant

Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry

Houston Rockets: Christian Wood

Indiana Pacers: Domantas Sabonis

Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard

Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James

Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant

Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler

Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson

New York Knicks: Julius Randle

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Orlando Magic: Khem Birch

Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid

Phoenix Suns: Chris Paul

Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard

Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox

San Antonio Spurs: DeMar DeRozan

Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet

Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert

Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal

Surprise names included

Indeed, there are a number of names that appear on the aforementioned list that should perhaps be an instant choice for each respective franchise, whilst there will likely be a few that can be considered rather surprising or shocking considering what has happened throughout the 2021 NBA season.

For instance, LeBron James’ inclusion as the Los Angeles Lakers’ MVP candidate would probably come as a surprise considering how little he played this year, however there is no denying that when he is able to play, he makes the biggest difference to the team and gives them power to be able to get to the NBA Finals, as he showed last year.

Furthermore, Joel Embiid’s inclusion as the Philadelphia 76ers’ MVP is another one that could be argued, but there has been no one that has been able to step up to his level for the franchise since his injury in February, despite their involvement in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.

LaMelo Ball’s name might be a little bit of a surprise as well, especially given that the Charlotte Hornets have had Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and Devonte’ Graham all play rather well throughout the campaign. However, the rookie point guard was on fire before his injury and proved that he could have a major influence and impact on the organisation in a number of different ways, including the way the overall organisation play, as he continues to grow and mature to the basketball played in the NBA.

Obvious names including overall MVP favourite

Some picks are obvious, though, with Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young just one of them. The point guard has been in exceptional form for his NBA team and a player who has been able to make a huge difference. The 22-year-old has been crucial when it comes to scoring points for his team, whilst he has continued to make match-winning contributions throughout the campaign.

Those that are looking at the overall MVP candidate race will already have known that Nikola Jokic is included as the Denver Nuggets’ candidate, although it is no surprise. For many, Jokic has already won the 2021 NBA MVP crown, regardless of where his franchise finishes this season.

Jokic has topped several of the metrics that will be used when looking at who the most valuable player is in the league this season, eclipsing the likes of LeBron James, James Harden and many of the other stat-leading individuals in the NBA whilst his contribution the Nuggets overall can not be overlooked. He leads the organisation in a number of key figures in total points, in rebounds and assists, thus making him incredibly important.