2024-25 season is approaching, and ESPN experts have made predictions on the individual achievements of the new season. Luka Doncic is ranked first in the Regular Season MVP, with Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in second and third place respectively, making the top three spots occupied by foreign players. Jayson Tatum is only ranked seventh. Will this be the reality?

In the previous season, Joel Embiid withdrew from the MVP race due to low game appearances. Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Doncic occupied the top three positions, with Jokic winning the award for the third time.

Regarding the MVP prediction for the upcoming season, it is understandable that ESPN's experts have placed Doncic in the top spot. Doncic has consistently been ranked at the top for several years in the preseason predictions. Furthermore, the fact that Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season, and the addition of a caliber player like Klay Thompson to the team this year, makes him an easy favorite. Even in the last season, Doncic was ranked third in the MVP race. If the Mavericks achieve impressive results next season, it is not impossible for Doncic to win this award.

The same level of expectation exists for Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder held the top spot in the Western Conference last season, and with the acquisition of Kyle Lowry and Jarrett Hallowstein, the team has strengthened its weaknesses and is expected to have an even better record than last season. Compared to the Mavericks, the Thunder's path to clinching the top spot in the Western Conference should be easier. The Mavericks are still in the process of integrating their star players, and it remains to be seen how well they will gel together. On the other hand, the two new additions to the Thunder should quickly adapt to the team's tactical system.

As for Jokic, who ranks second, there are also high expectations. The Nuggets have been downsizing this year, losing players like P.J. Dozier and Reggie Jackson. Jamal Murray's performance after returning from the Olympics has been lackluster, and the question of what kind of contract extension the Nuggets should offer him has become a major focus. Aaron Gordon is also waiting to negotiate a contract with the Nuggets' management. The Nuggets have only signed Michael Sarich and Russell Westbrook, but the effectiveness of these signings remains to be seen.

In this situation, if the Nuggets can still achieve good results and rank in the top three in the Western Conference, it will be thanks to Jokic. His star power has helped gather the scattered pieces of the Nuggets, and his MVP candidacy will be more convincing. In recent years, MVP selections have mainly relied on advanced player statistics, and Jokic has an advantage in this regard. As long as the team's performance is satisfactory, there is a great possibility for him to win the MVP for the fourth time.

Tatum's ranking is debatable. Last season, the Celtics held the top spot in the Eastern Conference and even the entire league, but Tatum's ranking was not very high (6th place). The reasons for this are twofold: firstly, his statistics were not outstanding (averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists per game, shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range); secondly, he has a star player like Jaylen Brown by his side, who just won the Finals MVP and is part of the NBA's strongest lineup, which affected his votes.

However, if the Celtics remain dominant in the league next season, Tatum's MVP ranking may not be so low. The situation around him has not changed, and he even secured a lucrative contract this summer. If his NBA statistics improve in the new season, perhaps he will be seen in the MVP race.

Some players may not be in the MVP conversation. Jaylen Brown, who ranked 5th in the MVP race last season, still has a good chance in the upcoming season. The Knicks have acquired Miles Bridges during the offseason and re-signed Nerlens Noel. With a strong roster, they are considered the biggest challenge to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference next season. Under the guidance of coach Tom Thibodeau, Brown is expected to deliver an impressive performance. In terms of team record and individual achievements, Brown is not inferior, and he may become a disruptor in the MVP race next season.

Kevin Durant, the highest-ranked player among the "JaDuKu" trio, is only ranked 10th. This clearly indicates that people are not worried about the Suns in the upcoming season, and it also shows that the "JaDuKu" trio is gradually exiting the NBA stage. The Suns have acquired Théo Maledon this summer and changed their head coach to Mike Budenholzer, but the team's longstanding issues have not been resolved, and their salary for the upcoming season is still the highest in the league. The league's interest in the Suns is more focused on when Durant will submit a trade request.

In conclusion, the MVP race of the upcoming season still looks highly competitive. Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander have strong support, but they are not without competition. Who will ultimately emerge as the MVP of the upcoming season remains to be seen.