Isiah Thomas has drawn a clear line in the MVP race, placing Victor Wembanyama and Jaylen Brown ahead of Luka Doncic despite the Lakers star's undeniable talent.
The take shifts the conversation from individual brilliance to overall team impact.
And in that framework, Doncic does not come out on top, at least that's what 2x NBA champion, Isiah Thomas believes.
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Thomas explained his stance on Run It Back while breaking down the MVP conversation.
"To me, right now, there's only two guys that you can really say is the most valuable to their team… and that's Wemby and Jaylen Brown," Thomas said.
Zeke added: "Anytime you have Luka on your team, you got a chance to win because he's good enough to come in your building on a playoff night and upset you and your fans."
The distinction is subtle but important: Doncic is viewed as a game-changer, but not necessarily the defining force behind a title push.
That is where Thomas separates Doncic from the others.
Isiah Thomas expanded on that idea by focusing on expectations and outcomes tied to team success.
"Luka puts you in, 'okay, we're good in the playoffs, we've exceeded expectations,' but we're not talking about the Lakers winning the championship this year," the Detroit Pistons legend stated.
The argument reframes value through a championship lens rather than individual dominance.
It also highlights how MVP narratives often depend on how far a player can realistically carry their team. That contrast is what places Wembanyama and Brown ahead in Thomas' view.
Read more:
