Tim Legler of ESPN says of Mavericks star Luka Doncic, “He’s The MVP Favorite Right Now.”
ESPN analyst Tim Legler has been highly impressed with the moves made by the Dallas Mavericks at this season’s trade deadline, and he now considers Luka Doncic as the frontrunner for the NBA MVP award.
Before the trade deadline, Doncic’s chances of winning the MVP seemed slim due to the Dallas Mavericks’ struggles in securing enough wins. However, with the team currently on a seven-game winning streak and bolstered by the acquisitions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, Doncic has surged back into contention for the MVP title.
Speaking on The ALL NBA Podcast, Legler, a former Maverick himself, expressed his belief that Doncic is now the leading candidate for the MVP award. He drew parallels with past MVP winners like Russell Westbrook, emphasizing that while it’s uncommon for players on lower-seeded teams to win the award, it’s not impossible.
According to Legler, the Mavericks’ success for the remainder of the season will heavily influence Doncic’s MVP chances. He believes that if the team continues their current performance level, reaching the 50-win mark is feasible, positioning them well in the playoff race.
Beyond win totals, Doncic’s individual performance has also been remarkable, with the young star posting historic statistics this season. Legler highlighted Doncic’s scoring and assisting prowess, noting that he’s responsible for half of the team’s points on average each game, a feat unparalleled in NBA history.
With the Mavericks currently climbing up the Western Conference standings and Doncic delivering standout performances, Legler sees the MVP race as wide open, with Doncic emerging as his personal favorite for the award.
