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Toronto Raptors: Five Things That Must Happen For Kawhi To Win MVP

By Vimal Sivakumar

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) rests during the Los Angeles Clippers 115-92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center at the Staples Center on December 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Elise/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) rests during the Los Angeles Clippers 115-92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center at the Staples Center on December 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Elise/Getty Images) /
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Being in Toronto this year with no better way to prove himself than being the Most Valuable Player, here are five things that must happen for Kawhi Leonard to win the 2018-19 NBA MVP award.

According to Oddsshark, here are the early odds for the 2018-19 NBA MVP, as of August 8 at BetOnline:

  • LeBron James +400
  • Anthony Davis +450
  • James Harden +500
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo +550
  • Kawhi Leonard +800
  • Kevin Durant +900
  • Russell Westbrook +1500
  • Joel Embiid +1600
  • Kyrie Irving +1600
  • Stephen Curry +1600
  • Ben Simmons +2200
  • Damian Lillard +4000
  • Donovan Mitchell +5000
  • Karl-Anthony Towns +5000
  • John Wall +7500
  • Victor Oladipo +7500
  • DeMar DeRozan +10000
  • Jimmy Butler +10000

Vegas oddsmakers seem to have little faith that Kawhi could win the Most Valuable Player award this upcoming season. Their scepticism is justifiable. From his injury concerns to Leonard’s reported lack of desire to play in Toronto and the competition around him, an initial analysis seemingly puts this award far out of Kawhi’s reach.

Truthfully, however, no one knows how this season will play out for Kawhi. Much like his season could be significantly derailed by his lingering injury, Leonard may also come back fully healthy and dominate all year. In fact, recent reports contradict injury worries and seem to suggest much more positive things about Leonard’s recovery.

Similarly, even though many experts reported Leonard’s lack of desire to play with the Raptors, conflicting reports suggest he will keep an open mind about resigning in Toronto. At this moment, all talk about Kawhi is mere speculation and we must wait until the season tips off in October to firmly decide whether Leonard is a true MVP candidate or not.

Therefore, it is completely realistic to consider that, if everything goes well for Kawhi in 2018-19, he could very well be in the MVP conversation at season’s end.

Along those lines, this article takes a reverse approach and details five things that must happen to give Leonard a shot at taking home the league’s MVP trophy next season.

Let’s get started…

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