{"id":695278,"date":"2026-04-03T04:21:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T04:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/695278\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T04:21:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T04:21:51","slug":"insider-says-the-2025-26-nba-mvp-award-is-between-2-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/695278\/","title":{"rendered":"Insider says the 2025-26 NBA MVP award is between 2 players"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NBA MVP race\u00a0isn\u2019t just about numbers\u2014it\u2019s about shifting how the NBA defines value.<\/p>\n

During his appearance on Sactown Sports\u2019 The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross<\/a>, The Athletic\u2019s Sam Amick <\/a>made it clear that while reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may still be the favorite, Wembanyama has forced voters into a deeper conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s those two guys,\u201d Amick said, referring to Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama leading the race. \u201cBut if Victor and the Spurs passed them up\u2026 that\u2019s remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SAN<\/p>\n

(Photo by Kenneth Richmond\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More on the NBA MVP race<\/p>\n

That potential shift in standings could be the defining factor. Voter momentum often follows team success, and Amick acknowledged the weight of narrative in the process.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo compel the majority of the voters to come off one position\u2026 would require a big-time event like that,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Still, even without overtaking Oklahoma City, Wembanyama is impacting the race in another way\u2014by forcing defense back into the spotlight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a pet peeve of mine,\u201d Amick said. \u201cIt\u2019s literally half the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

For years, MVP discussions have been dominated by offensive production, benefiting stars like Nikola Joki\u0107 and Luka Don\u010di\u0107. But Wembanyama\u2019s defensive presence is changing how voters evaluate overall impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like the fact that Victor is really forcing this conversation,\u201d Amick added.<\/p>\n

Equally important is how Wembanyama is going about it. Unlike many stars who shy away from campaigning, he\u2019s been vocal about his case\u2014and unapologetic.<\/a><\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama makes a strong case for why he should be the MVP \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first one would be that defense is 50% of the game and that it is undervalued so far in the MVP race. I believe I\u2019m the most impactful player defensively in the league. Second argument would be that we\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/egEdL1KlBx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt sits fine with me,\u201d Amick said of Wembanyama\u2019s self-promotion. \u201cI feel like there\u2019s a little bit of a golden boy thing happening with Victor\u2026 I don\u2019t think he can do any wrong right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

That openness stands in contrast to Gilgeous-Alexander, who has taken a quieter approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a game like that, to say \u2018I\u2019ll let my game speak for itself\u2019\u2014that\u2019s not a nothing statement,\u201d Amick said.<\/p>\n

The contrast between the two stars\u2014Wembanyama\u2019s personality and emotion versus SGA\u2019s calm dominance\u2014has added intrigue to the race. And according to Amick, that\u2019s good for the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this day and age\u2026 people do enjoy a little bit of conflict,\u201d he said. \u201cVictor has made defense cool again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the\u00a0Sactown Sports YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 \u2013 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?<\/p>\n

The Sacramento Kings will return home for a two-game homestand that begins Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.<\/p>\n

Sacramento is 0-2 against the Pelicans this season, including a 133-123 loss at Golden 1 Center on March 5th, in which Precious Achiuwa scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.<\/p>\n

Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Friday, April 3rd vs. New Orleans Pelicans \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, April 5th vs. Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nTuesday, April 7th @ Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nFriday, April 10th vs. Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, April 12th @ Portland Trail Blazers \u2013 5:30 PM PT<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

Follow @FCartoscelli3<\/a><\/p>\n

\t
\n<\/a><\/p>\n