My Hottest Take: Kawhi Leonard has been the 2026 MVP

Right now the MVP race is led by Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However both of them are starting to reach the maximum games they can miss and be eligible for the MVP. If they both failed to reach the 65-game limit then the MVP race would become a dog fight. Currently the two main players besides Shai and Jokic are Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown. If Kawhi manages to keep up his level of play he can easily fit next to them in a conversation.

He has been averaging 28 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals since the start of January. He’s doing all of this while nearly shooting 50/40/90. This level of play is comparable to his prime and he is easily one of, if not, the best two way players in the league.

What separates Kawhi from other candidates is how sustainable his dominance is. He doesn’t rely on foul-baiting or lucky shots. His game is built on footwork, strength, and precision. That means the same quality of play every night. When the Clippers need a bucket late, everyone in the arena knows where the ball is going. With the meaning of MVP being “Most Valuable Player", it's hard to think of another player as essential to their team as Kawhi is.

What You Need to Know: Winning Still Matters

While the Clippers’ record isn’t in the contender tier, Kawhi can change that. With a lot of teams facing injuries or resting players, the Clippers have a chance to jump in the standings. Just getting out of the play-in tournament would mean a lot, seeing how the Clippers started their season.

Offensively, he’s been insane. His midrange game is automatic, and he’s picking his shots from three with confidence. Defenses can’t control him. The game moves at the exact pace he wants it to. Double-teams don’t affect him. He simply gets to his spots and converts.

Defensively, he’s just as impactful. He takes the toughest wing assignments and still carries the scoring load. Few stars would do that anymore. Kawhi does it nightly. He’s able to guard elite scorers without sacrificing offensive efficiency. This level of play is easily MVP status.

Leadership has also been part of his case this year. With new pieces adjusting and younger players stepping into bigger roles, Kawhi has been the steady force holding everything together. His mere presence simplifies the game for everyone else. Role players know where their shots will come from. Young guards know they have a safety valve late in the clock. The team's rookies can learn from Kawhi. No matter what they need to learn, Kawhi can be their mentor.

Advanced metrics support what the eye test shows: the Clippers are significantly better with him on the floor. Everything works better. The offense runs well and the defense is a cohesive unit. The difference between Kawhi playing and not playing is night and day.

The only question voters may ask is durability. Kawhi’s past seasons have been hurt by load management and injuries. But this year, he’s been available, consistent, and dominant. If he maintains that availability, the usual narrative against him starts to fade.

Before You Go: The MVP Race Could Be Defined by the Final Stretch

MVP awards are often won at two times: the start of the season and the end of it.While he wasn’t able to perform at the start, he can lock in for the end. Head to head matchup against other stars and national broadcast TV games is where Kawhi thrives.

He doesn't want to be in headlines, but his game puts him in them. If the Clippers finish near the top of the standings and Kawhi continues delivering efficient 30-point nights while locking down elite scorers, the conversation will shift from “dark horse” to “front-runner.”

The beauty of Kawhi’s case is how simple it is. No gimmicks. No inflated pace. No excuses or cope. Just elite two-way basketball and winning. He doesn’t blame teammates or coaches, he just says it how it is. If the season ended today, he’d deserve serious consideration. If he closes strong, he might deserve the trophy.