December 15th is a significant date for the NBA. Since most offseason signings become tradeable on this day, it can be considered the official beginning of the trade season leading up to the February deadline. Christmas games start to get people excited.

And the majority of clubs have reached or exceeded the quarter-point of their schedules. Thus, this is the ideal moment to present Sports Illustrated’s MVP rankings. Up to the end of the season, we will select a winner based on a ranking of our top five contenders for the honor each week. This first edition features some well-known names at the top.

1. Joel Embiid

The current MVP of Kia recorded his ninth consecutive game with 30 points or more on Wednesday night, including a 41-point double-double (his eighth straight). Embiid didn’t even play in the fourth quarter and scored 19 of those 41 points in the first quarter.

In actuality, this season’s fourth quarter has seen Embiid miss four games of action. This Friday’s home game against the struggling Pistons should be much of the same.

The current MVP has improved upon his incredible season last year by averaging more points (33.8), rebounds (11.5), and assists (6.4). The overall number of assists is especially noteworthy.

Embiid has assumed more of a playmaking role since James Harden left, and he is succeeding without seeing a sharp increase in turnovers. What’s even more amazing is that this entire feat occurred following a squad turnover at the beginning of the season. The Sixers now own the highest net rating in the league as a result of it.

We are aware that Embiid’s primary rival for this honor is Nikola Jokić. What say you about this? According to Cleaning the Glass, the Sixers’ offense is more effective when Embiid is on the court than it is when Jokić is playing for the Nuggets this season.

2. Nikola Jokić

On Thursday night, the two-time Kia MVP recorded career triple-double number 115, making history as the first NBA player to record at least 10 triple-doubles in seven straight seasons. Just before the fourth quarter began, Jokic recorded his 35th triple-double of his career.

Outstanding. But when Jokic records a triple-double, Denver’s 5-5 record this season is concerning. By the time that happened in 2022–23, the Nuggets had a record of 27–2.

Even if his effectiveness has decreased following a startling two-game downturn earlier this month, The Joker has had as much of an impact as ever. Right now, it’s very difficult to keep Jokić and Embiid apart. The standings between their teams are extremely close. They’ve both been outstanding.

While Jokić dealt with Jamal Murray’s hamstring injury, Embiid had to cope with the turmoil around Harden. As of right now, Embiid has the tiniest advantage because the 76ers have two less defeats than Philly, and given how the team began the season, I believe that expectations for Philly were nothing near as high.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ignore the game ball. Grab another MVP, please. After electrifying the home fans on Wednesday night with a game-winning, record-breaking performance in a 140-126 victory against Indiana, Antetokounmpo seems to be headed toward more hardware.

In addition to shattering Milwaukee records for field goal attempts (32) and free throws made (24) Antetokounmpo scored a franchise-high 64 points. He scored 26 of his 64 points in the fourth quarter, which earned him a two-day break before the game against Detroit on Saturday.

But Giannis isn’t quite at the top of this race yet because of two problems. First, Damian Lillard has emerged as the Bucks’ go-to player in crunch time, depriving Antetokounmpo of some of the “most valuable” portion of the debate. Lillard emerges as Milwaukee’s most crucial offensive option during pivotal moments. Second, Giannis is anticipated to dominate the defensive end of the court more because the Bucks’ defense is still among the worst in the league.

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Despite losing a thrilling shootout between point guards on Thursday night, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 points, dished out nine assists, and had three steals. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points for the fourth time this season; in 16 games, he has scored 30 points or more.

The Thunder, who have won four of their last six games coming into their road game against the Nuggets on Saturday, are currently ranked third in the West behind SGA.

On a squad that no one anticipated to be a contender this quickly, he is the best player.

5. Luka Dončić

Thursday night in a defeat to Minnesota, the new father showed off some Luka magic by recording his tenth consecutive 30-point game with 39 points and 13 assists. Over his last nine games, Doncic has averaged 35.1 points, 10.7 assists, and 8.3 rebounds.

However, the loss to the Timberwolves ended a four-game winning streak. Dallas is now getting ready to go to Portland and Denver on Saturday and Monday.

The Mavericks are on track to record only their second 50-win season in his career because he produces at an unbelievable level each and every night.