Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Turns Heads with Early 2026 NBA MVP Pick

May 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Magic Johnson attends a WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson has given his early pick for NBA MVP amid a close race.

The Lakers have a clear MVP candidate in five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic, who is dominating the league with his scoring and playmaking.

Despite all his own magic, Doncic remains in a highly competitive field, as the last two victors look quite formidable.

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, once again is in the midst of a brilliant season. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, a three-time honoree who most recently won in 2024, continues to perform at an unprecedented level.

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All three of Doncic, Jokic, and SGA are the key players in their teams' offense, and they fill up the stat sheet by the end of the night. Ultimately, the race may come down to a combination of health and team record.

Johnson, however, has his focus on one particular player after the Lakers' 112-108 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.

LeBron James was nothing short of spectacular scoring 11 straight points in the 4th quarter (including three straight 3-pointers) and had 29 total points tonight to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-108! The NBA’s leading candidate for MVP, Luka Doncic, had a triple double with…

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 8, 2025

"The NBA’s leading candidate for MVP, Luka Doncic, had a triple double with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists!" Johnson wrote on X.

"The Lakers are the most entertaining team in the NBA right now. Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reaves put on a show for the world to see and they had the crowd going crazy with 'oohs' and 'ahhs' !!"

Magic Johnson Was No Slouch

The NBA Hall of Famer won the award three times in his career, along with three NBA Finals MVP awards, and played a similar style of basketball to Doncic's. Johnson would rebound well for a point guard due to his size (he was 6-foot-9), and his stature allowed him to see over defenders' heads.

He would give jaw-dropping passes to teammates and handle the ball well, all while leading transition breaks with a speed and control unlike anyone else to that point had ever used.

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Doncic, this season, is averaging 35 points, 9.1 assists, and 9.2 rebounds, doing it all for the Lakers and creating moments reminiscent of Magic Johnson with his handle and size combined with elite skills.

Jokic and SGA are just as impactful, and even early in the year, people around the league are splitting hairs between the three players. The NBA season is just beginning, and if all three stay healthy, it could be one of the most exciting MVP races in years.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.