The NBA’s Elite Who Haven’t Gotten the Hall Call (Yet!)
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When the lights shine brightest and the ballots come in, being named NBA MVP is one of the highest individual honors in the game. It means dominance, influence, and a season where everything aligned. But oddly enough, not every MVP finds their way to Springfield. Yes, there are NBA MVPs not in the Hall of Fame yet.
The Hall is reserved for legends, but the path isn’t always straightforward. Some players defy expectations and change the game but still wait on the call. It makes you wonder: What does it take to be immortalized in basketball history? And if we honor players who showed flashes but never took home an MVP, like those featured among the best NBA players to never win MVP, shouldn’t we also look closer at those who did win the league’s most coveted award but somehow remain on the outside looking in?
An MVP Guarantees a HoF (Almost)
Since the inception of the Most Valuable Player Award in 1956, 36 different players have won it. Every eligible player for the Hall of Fame has been enshrined. Only one retired player has an MVP award but is not in the Hall of Fame. That player is not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame, meaning an MVP award has not been guaranteed to get someone in the Hall of Fame.
Derrick Rose (2011 MVP)
Derrick Rose is arguably the face of the NBA MVP’s never-inducted conversation. He became the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011, exploding with a mix of speed, skill, and leadership that made the Bulls a contender again. But injuries derailed what looked like a surefire Hall of Fame career. Rose officially retired from the NBA on September 26, 2024, making him eligible for the HoF in 2028.
Yet, if Rose never plays another All-Star minute, his impact and that MVP season still resonate. His story is one of resilience, and depending on how the Hall weighs peak vs. longevity, he could be remembered as one of the most notable NBA MVPs not in Hall of Fame status.
MVPs Still Writing Their Legacy
Technically, the list of NBA MVPs not in the Hall of Fame includes several active superstars, though it’s only a matter of time before they’re enshrined.
LeBron James (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013): Four-time MVP, four-time champion, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. The Hall will call the second he retires.
Kevin Durant (2014): Elite scorer, multiple titles, Olympic gold—his résumé speaks for itself.
Stephen Curry (2015, 2016): The only unanimous MVP and the face of the three-point revolution. A lock.
Russell Westbrook (2017): Triple-double machine and MVP during one of the league’s most stacked eras.
James Harden (2018): Scoring champ and perennial All-NBA selection, Harden’s place is nearly sealed.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019, 2020): MVP, Finals MVP, and still entering his prime.
Nikola Joki? (2021, 2022, 2023): Three straight MVPs and a title as a point-center unicorn.
Joel Embiid (2023): Dominant two-way force—if he stays healthy, the Hall awaits.
They’re all currently among the players with MVPs but no Hall of Fame honors simply because they haven’t hit eligibility. No controversy—just greatness in progress.
Finals MVPs Who Haven’t Made It
It’s rare, but a few Finals MVPs haven’t made it to the Hall either. Cedric Maxwell, who won Finals MVP in 1981 with the Celtics, is one name that pops up. Though he played a supporting role throughout most of his career, that series alone was enough to earn him basketball immortality in Boston lore. Still, the Basketball Hall of Fame hasn’t called.
Andre Iguodala, who was a key piece in the Warriors dynasty, won the Finals MVP in 2015. He had a great career with Philadelphia before going to Golden State, but he is definitely not a lock for the Hall of Fame. His first year of eligibility is in 2026. Will he join Cedric Maxwell as the only players to win a Finals MVP and not get inducted?
The case of Finals MVPs and NBA MVPs, who are not in Hall of Fame circles, raises the same question: How do we define greatness? Is it a singular moment or a body of work?
The Gray Area of Greatness
So, who is the best player who is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame? It all depends on your personal standards. The list has to start with non-MVPs because every MVP has been inducted into the NBA HoF—recognition is tricky. Fame doesn’t always equal impact. And sometimes, even MVPs become cautionary tales or symbols of “what if.” As new names rise and ballots are cast, the list of NBA MVPs not in the Hall of Fame may grow even shorter.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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