Top Podcasts on NBA MVP Race: Wembanyama & More
Updated: Apr 05, 2026 – 15 episodes
Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić are leading the NBA MVP race as their teams push for playoff contention. Their standout performances are drawing attention as the season progresses, highlighting their impact on the league. This development is significant for the sports tech industry, which closely monitors player analytics and performance metrics.
Three very different takes here — start with The Bill Simmons Podcast for a bullish perspective on Luka Dončić's MVP chances. Bill Simmons argues that Luka's performances are reminiscent of legendary NBA seasons, making a strong case for his MVP candidacy. Meanwhile, The Dan Patrick Show offers a mixed view, suggesting that MVP voters might lean towards Victor Wembanyama due to voter fatigue with established stars like Jokic and SGA. For a broader perspective, The Mismatch highlights the competitive nature of this year's MVP race, noting that any of the top four candidates could justifiably win. These episodes provide a comprehensive look at the ongoing MVP debate.
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Ridealong has curated the best podcasts and clips about Wembanyama, SGA, and Luka emerge as NBA MVP frontrunners. Listen now.
Podcast Episodes Covering This Story
“"We're taking SGA a little bit for granted as well because the new kid on the block is showing us the 22-year-old. And you know what? But I think a lot of these people that actually vote for the MVP, they could have fatigue, SGA fatigue, Joker fatigue, and just want to spice things up and go with Wemby. Let me preface this. I am 100% in Victor's camp."”
Ridealong summary
MVP voters may experience fatigue with established stars like Jokic and SGA, potentially favoring Wembanyama for his fresh impact and revitalization of the All-Star game.
“If you have the most wins, I still think that SGA is going to be your MVP. But the fact that you had J.J. Redick, the Lakers head coach, Donchick was suspended for his 16th technical, so he didn't play. LeBron had a triple-double last time. But J.J. said, hey, the way Luka's playing, he would be my MVP. Well, I expect him to say that.”
Ridealong summary
The MVP race is more about team success and narrative than individual performance, with players like SGA and Wembanyama gaining traction due to their teams' records.
“Luka averaging 33 a game and regularly hitting 40, 50, 60 the other night in Miami, carrying a Lakers team who's 21 games over 500. And we know what Luca, this is going to be a six straight first team all NBA, I think. Yeah. Or something like that. I wonder if we went back and looked at when did we have four guys playing at this level?”
Ridealong summary
Luka Dončić is making a compelling case for MVP with his standout performances, rivaling even the legendary seasons of past NBA greats.
“My rough draft was SGA, Wemby, Jokic, Luka, Jalen Brown. I have not pressed send yet. This is such a great race that you can make a case for any of the top four in any order, honestly. So it's, you know, sure. Should I be the one that does the Wemby thing is the question. You won't be alone if you do the Wemby thing. You will not be alone.”
Ridealong summary
The MVP race is so competitive that any of the top four candidates could justifiably win, highlighting the depth of talent in the league.
“Victor is there wasn't no need to overthink this one it is exactly what it is... So he's clearly the best defensive player in the league by a mile. And he's arguably the best defensive player I've ever seen play the sport... I think it's totally reasonable to split the baby and say, Shea would get my MVP vote, and Victor Wembenyama is the best player in the world.”
Ridealong summary
Victor Wembanyama is the best player in the world, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves the MVP for his consistent performance and impact on a winning team.
“"There's just no precedent for somebody playing 29 minutes a game, playing about 67, 68 games and winning the MVP. And that's where we'd be with Wemby. He'd be around 65, 66, and he'd be 29 minutes a game on a minutes restriction for a lot of it. You could argue he's been the most impactful guy in the league for the last 10 weeks."”
Ridealong summary
Wembanyama's MVP candidacy is undermined by his limited minutes compared to SGA and Luka, despite his high impact per minute.
“"Wemby is running away with the field. Even when SGA's off the court... But Wemby is running away with that. Wemby's lost like two games in two months. Like he's the most impactful player in the NBA by far. And it's not even close. But his raw numbers are not as gaudy as what you just mentioned."”
Ridealong summary
Victor Wembanyama is the most impactful player in the NBA by far, and his influence on the game is unmatched despite not having the most impressive raw stats.
“"I agree with him with the defense. There's 50% of the game. And obviously, nobody can match what he does defensively. I think the next step for him is to continue to evolve offensively... I think he will eventually become MVP... I think he got a great argument, Ocho, but he ain't going to win it this year."”
Ridealong summary
Wembanyama has a strong defensive impact but won't win MVP this year due to Jokic's exceptional performances and SGA's frontrunner status.
“Victor Wimbanyama, he controlled the discourse of the NBA on Tuesday because he went on... he had answers ready. And he, you know, as we've talked about with Victor, not afraid to extol his own virtue... Victor is not afraid to be wildly arrogant in a matter-of-fact way. I would say that's just being very matter-of-fact that they won four out of five against them.”
Ridealong summary
Victor Wembanyama's candid and confident approach to the MVP race, including his willingness to openly discuss his case and rivalries, sets him apart from typical MVP contenders.
“I give the Spurs so much credit of putting pressure on the champs. But having said all that, I've got to see how this young team and how Wimby and how Castle and how Dylan Harper, I want to see these guys in the playoff series. They will steamroll in the first round. Now we have a collision course with the Lakers.”
Ridealong summary
Wembanyama's MVP chances hinge on the Spurs' playoff performance and his impact in high-stakes games, not just regular season stats.
“"The overarching question to me, though, is how does LeBron James feel when J.J. Redick promotes Luka Doncic to be the MVP of the league? Does it make LeBron James want to stay another year with the Lakers one last year, or does it make him want to go somewhere else and feel unappreciated by the coach that he helped get the job?... Anyway, my choice is Jalen Brown of the Boston Celtics, because that team went into the year without Jason Tatum, their best player..."”
Ridealong summary
While Wembanyama, SGA, and Luka are MVP frontrunners, Jalen Brown deserves the MVP for keeping the Celtics competitive without Jason Tatum.
“"Because if we're talking about both ends of the floor, then give Wemby the MVP. Because if you talk about the most complete player in the game, you're talking about he's an A-plus on the defensive end. and let's say he's an A- on the offensive end... Wemby is going to be MVP and Defensive Player of the Year really soon."”
Ridealong summary
Wembanyama's defensive prowess positions him as a future MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, but his lack of postseason success may hinder his current MVP candidacy.
“I think a couple things have worked in Shea's favor on this. If you go back to the game against Denver, right, which is now three weeks ago when he had those two shots on national TV to win that game. And then he followed that up by, he didn't make the winning shot, but dominate down the stretch against the Celtics on the night that he broke Wilt's record. He's led the last five polls in a row.”
Ridealong summary
Despite Victor Wembanyama's impressive performances, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's consistent lead in MVP polls and the Thunder's continued success make him the frontrunner.
“Usually when we get these close MVP votes is some sort of – usually MVP is kind of – I won't say groupthink because it's not quite groupthink. But I think in the space of us having these discussions all the time on podcasts and TV shows, you know, you wind up swung voters and everything, especially in the age of transparency. But usually the MVP vote is like controversial if it's close, like the Russell Westbrook MVP.”
Ridealong summary
The MVP race is influenced by narrative and potential backlash against Oklahoma City, rather than purely on-court performance.
“No one has ever led the league in assists and rebounds in a season which he's going to do averaging point per game. He generates 20 more points per game than Victor Wembanyama. He's the only one who when he sits the team falls apart. Victor Wembanyama when he sits offense is okay... Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is amazing... but I just think like we factor a little bit too much.”
Ridealong summary
Nikola Jokic deserves more MVP consideration despite the hype around Wembanyama, SGA, and Luka, due to his unique impact on team performance and statistical achievements.