Victor Wembanyama projected as MVP and Defensive Player of the Year by ESPN

ESPN analysts and experts have released early projections for the 2026-27 NBA individual awards, positioning Victor Wembanyama as a dominant force in the league. The San Antonio Spurs player is the heavy favorite to win both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) awards.

In the MVP race, Wembanyama leads a field that includes Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. For the Defensive Player of the Year category, Wembanyama holds a significant lead over candidates such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chet Holmgren.

Other notable predictions include Cameron Boozer as the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, narrowly leading Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa. Luka Doncic is also projected to be a primary candidate for the scoring title.