Jokic's MVP Lock Means You Should Draft Him Even Higher Next Year

The Nikola Jokic Show Continues, And Why It Matters For Your Draft Strategy

Another year, another MVP conversation dominated by Nikola Jokic. Seriously, at this point, we're just waiting for the official announcement, aren't we? The guy is averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists through 79 games, flirting with another triple-double season. That’s insane production from a center, and it's why he’s in a tier of his own for fantasy purposes. Every single night, he's a triple-double threat, and his efficiency, shooting 58.3% from the field, is just gravy.

Think about what that means for your fantasy team. You draft Jokic, and you've essentially locked in elite production across four major categories: points, rebounds, assists, and field goal percentage. Who else does that from the center spot? Nobody. Joel Embiid, when healthy, can challenge him in points, but he doesn't touch Jokic's assist numbers. Luka Doncic, another MVP contender, puts up crazy stats too – 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists this season – but he’s a guard, and his field goal percentage, typically in the high 40s, isn’t quite the anchor Jokic provides.

And let's be real, the Nuggets are winning. They're sitting at 56-24, battling for the top seed in the Western Conference. Winning matters for MVP voters, and it should matter for you in a fantasy league with morale-based scoring or even just for bragging rights. Jokic's usage rate is always sky-high, yet he rarely turns the ball over (2.7 per game this year) for someone handling it so much. That low turnover rate is often overlooked, but it's a huge bonus in category leagues.

The Pretenders: Shai and Luka's Case for Your Roster

While Jokic is the clear frontrunner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic have put together incredible seasons that shouldn't be ignored when you're thinking about your early draft picks next year. SGA is a scoring machine, averaging 30.1 points per game on 53.5% shooting, plus 2.0 steals. Those steals are an absolute game-changer in fantasy. He’s carrying the Thunder to the top of the West, a truly unexpected development for a team many thought was still a year away. His free throw percentage, over 87%, also makes him a rock-solid pick.

Doncic, as mentioned, is putting up historic numbers. He’s basically a walking triple-double who can drop 40 points on any given night. The only real knock for fantasy is his field goal percentage, which can hover around 47-48% on high volume. If you’re punting FG% or strong enough elsewhere, he's a top-tier pick. Thing is, you often have to make sacrifices with Luka that you just don't with Jokic.

Here's the hot take: Shai is actually a safer fantasy pick than Luka if you're not punting any categories. Those steals and his efficiency make him incredibly well-rounded. Luka's volume can hurt you in FG% and sometimes turnovers, while SGA gives you the points, assists, and elite steals without the same hit to efficiency. And let’s be honest, the MVP race might be decided, but the battle for who gives you the most fantasy bang for your buck on draft night is always open.

I'm telling you, next year, don't overthink it. Draft Jokic. He'll win his third MVP, and you'll win your league.