Each week, NBA.com releases a new edition of the Most Valuable Player ladder, a ranking system of the top candidates for the league’s most prestigious award. In Chicago’s history, only two players have won the award: Michael Jordan, five times, and Derrick Rose. They’ve only featured a finalist a handful of times, and have only seen a player on this ladder sparingly. The last Bull to find his way in the rankings was DeMar DeRozan in 2021, when the team was atop the Eastern Conference rankings and he was named to the All-Star team. With a 6-1 start and tied for the second-best record in the league, one blossoming star in Chicago is climbing the ranks.
Josh Giddey Is No Longer A Secret
Early in his professional career, Giddey was recognized as an above-average playmaker, an average scorer from all three levels, and a weak defender. The latter ultimately led to his demise, and he was traded away from Oklahoma City after failing to defend at a high level in the postseason. After the Alex Caruso swap, he was primed for a fresh start with one of the league’s youngest rosters in the Windy City. He’s been one of the best players in the league ever since. With nine triple-doubles in 77 games with the organization and posting career-high numbers this season, the entire NBA is taking notice.
https://t.co/wWGNmWnCY9 updated MVP Ladder:
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
3. Nikola Jokic
4. Victor Wenbanyama
5. Luka Doncic
6. Josh Giddey
7. Tyrese Maxey
8. Donovan Mitchell
9. Stephen Curry
10. Alperen Sengun(h/t @Fullcourtpass ) pic.twitter.com/zj8iDDgTUl
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 7, 2025
Through seven games, he’s posting 23.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 9.1 dimes per night while shooting a smoldering 49.6% from the field and 41.9% from deep. These are all career-best numbers for the fifth-year guard fresh off a $100 million extension.
Lock For All-Star, Pushing All-NBA
Realistically, Giddey will not take home the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. Aside from the history of the honor typically going to one of the league’s top teams, he’s not in a big enough market or has enough national recognition to win it. At this rate, however, he will be Chicago’s first All-Star nominee since 2022, and likely their first All-NBA player since the same season. If he can crack the top five, he’d be the first All-NBA First Team winner since Joakim Noah in 2014.
Josh Giddey this season:
29 PTS – 15 REB – 12 AST
23 PTS – 12 REB – 12 AST
32 PTS – 10 REB – 9 AST
20 PTS – 8 REB – 12 AST
18 PTS – 13 REB – 5 AST
21 PTS – 8 REB – 3 AST
19 PTS – 5 REB – 11 ASTBulls 6-1 🔥 All-Star? 👀
(Via @realapp ) pic.twitter.com/FN7R6gmrxe
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 5, 2025
Can Giddey continue his incredible start to the 2025-26 season and make his mark in Chicago Bulls history? How far can his heroics carry this team of misfits and unknown youngsters, and will they make a surprise appearance in the postseason for the first time in four years?
Tonight’s NBA Cup action against Milwaukee will be another gigantic test for Giddey and the blazing hot Bulls.
