The league is actively trying to be better,” said one player, acknowledging the serious issues facing the NBA.

Chet Holmgren's Thunder are the defending champs, but could Nikola Jokić's Nuggets or Cade Cunningham's Pistons take the Larry O'Brien Trophy this year? Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; ...

The article ranks the top 15 candidates for a hypothetical NBA Playoffs MVP award for the 2025-26 season. Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ranked first, followed by Denver's Nikola Jokic and ...