The NBA MVP award is given out to an individual with exemplary performances during the regular season. The best player is awarded the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, named after the first commissioner of the NBA.

The award is a prestigious honor that every player desires to win at least once in their NBA career. The winner is decided by a panel voting looking up every stats of the nominated players. 

The list features several legends who have made their mark as the league’s MVP. Kareem Abdul Jabbar has won six MVP titles in his career, which is the most by any player. 

Michael Jordan has grabbed the award five times in his career, while LeBron James is one short at four.

NBA players who have missed out on the award

When there is a list of all the great players who have won the award, there should surely be a list of talented players who have missed out on winning the MVP award despite a great regular season with their teams.

Since there are a lot of players who have missed out on their shot at being the MVP, it is difficult to name all of them here. Thus, we have put together a list of NBA players who were unlucky to never claim the award.

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Disclaimer: These five players have been picked considering their impact in the 21st century. Legends from the 90s have not been overlooked, but just kept aside for this piece. 

1. Chris Paul

Chris Paul was undeniably the best point guard in the league in his prime. CP3 finished second in the 2007-08 MVP rankings, falling short behind Kobe Bryant. 

To be honest, Paul was a beast in that season. He averaged 22.1 points and 11.6 assists in the season to become one of the very few PG’s in NBA history to average double figures in points and assists.

 Paul must have frustrated for not being handed the award despite his low rate of turnovers in a game at 2.5. He had one of the best seasons and also led the league in average steals made in a game.

Career Average: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 2.2 steals, 46.9% FG, 36.9% 3FG.

Championships: 0

1. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce was probably unlucky to lose out on an MVP award. He produced his career-high stats when the Celtics were battling in the mid-table section. Once Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined the team, his workload was lessened. 

Pierce guided the Boston Celtics to the NBA title in 2008, defeating the Los Angles Lakers. He was brilliant in the finals and was given the NBA Finals MVP award.

Pierce, however, fell short of the MVP rankings on several occasions and finished seventh in the 2008-09 standings. 

Career Average: 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 44.5% FG, 36.8% 3FG

Championships: 1

1. Tracy McGrady

Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady claims the number three spot on our list. McGrady had a decent career and was a beast in scoring. His rivals often praise his abilities on the court.

 He won his first NBA scoring award in the 2002-03 season. The same season, however, would end up as McGrady’s highest-ever finish in the MVP ranking list. He averaged 32.1 points that season, which is his career-high. McGrady finished fourth in the rankings while Tim Duncan claimed the award that year.

Career Average: 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 43.5% FG, 33.8% 3FG

Championships: 0

1. Carmelo Anthony

The 35-year-old was widely regarded as the league’s most explosive scorers at his prime. Carmelo Anthony brought upon his destructive scoring abilities when he was with the New York Knicks. 

Melo had a tremendous run in the 2012-13 season as an individual. He finished second behind LeBron James in the MVP ranking. He has had many individual seasons where he ended up averaging over 25 points. The player had potential, but a lackluster approach to his defensive abilities curbed his additional improvements as a player.

Career Average: 24.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 44.9% FG, 34.7% 3FG.

Championships: 0

1. Dwyane Wade

The number one spot on our list is the ‘Flash.’ Dwyane Wade is probably the greatest player in the 2000s era to not win an MVP award. He has accomplished so much in his glowing career, only to miss out on the MVP title. Wade did win the 2006 NBA Finals MVP award.

The three-time champion’s closest-ever finish was in the 2008-09 season. He ranked behind LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Wade averaged a career-high of points and assists in that season. His 30.2 points and 7.5 assists were not worthy enough to make him the MVP, as he ranked in third place. 

Career Average: 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 48.0% FG, 29.3% 3FG.

Championships: 3