Evan Mobley soon to be MVP, according to Kenny Atkinson

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson doesn’t hesitate to set the bar very high for his star player Evan Mobley. Present in Las Vegas for Summer League, the coach expressed his high expectations regarding his big man’s future.

« I don’t want to put pressure on him, but the truth is that in the next two or three years, he’ll be in the MVP conversation. In terms of talent, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be the case, » Atkinson declared to NBA TV during the broadcast of the game against the Indiana Pacers.

Kenny Atkinson tells @JaredSGreenberg what he wants to see next from Evan Mobley:

« In these next 2 or 3 years, he’s gotta be in the MVP conversation. » 😤 pic.twitter.com/C5xLYFyTsC

— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 10, 2025

A potential MVP who still needs to level up

At 24, Mobley is coming off an exceptional season where he won his first Defensive Player of the Year award, his first All-Star selection, and a place in the All-NBA Second Team. He also finished 10th in the 2024-2025 MVP voting, posting statistics of 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocks per game, with 55.7% field goal percentage and 37% from 3-point range.

For Atkinson, Mobley’s progression is just beginning. « He’s already gotten stronger since the end of the season, and you can see it. When a guy starts to understand, to find his routine. He’s found his diet. He’s figured it all out. He’s understood the weight training and conditioning exercises, » emphasized the coach.

However, to contend for MVP, Mobley will need to improve his offensive statistics and establish himself more as a leader. Currently, Donovan Mitchell remains the Cavaliers’ reference, having finished 5th in MVP voting and making the All-NBA First Team.

« When you combine that with the talent, the human being that he is and the character he has, oh, and by the way, he’s Defensive Player of the Year, why wouldn’t this guy put himself in the conversation to be an MVP in this league one day? » concluded Atkinson. In Cavaliers history, only LeBron James has won the MVP trophy in 2009 and 2010.