Two of the best players in NBA history believe Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley will be in the MVP conversation this season. 

Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady think Mobley will be an MVP candidate for the 2025-26 season. 

Mobley won the Defensive Player of the Year Award last season. He also made the All-NBA Second Team and played in his first All-Star game. 

Mobley appeared in 71 games for the Cavaliers last season. The USC product averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.6 blocks while shooting 55.7% from the field, 37.0% from beyond the arc 72.5% from the free-throw line.

By winning Defensive Player of the Year last season, Mobley triggered a clause in his contract that calls for him to increase the first-year salary of his rookie-scale extension from 25% to 30% of the salary cap.

Cleveland was the first seed in the 2025 Eastern Conference playoffs. Mobley and Co. beat the Miami Heat in the first round in four games but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in five games. 

Mobley enters the 2025-26 season with career averages of 16.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.6 blocks. He will have to score the ball more than usual to begin the 2025-26 season since Cavaliers starting point guard Darius Garland won't play. The Vanderbilt product is recovering from offseason foot surgery.

The Cavaliers begin the 2025-26 regular season on October 22 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. 

"Biggest goal is the championship," Mobley said at Cavaliers media day. "That’s the ultimate goal, and I think this year we’re ready for that. My individual goals are definitely All-Star again. Hopefully, keep the Defensive Player of the Year as well. And then from there I’m gonna keep that a secret for now."