It’s far too early to draw conclusions due to the small sample size (less than 10% of games played), but alarms are already ringing for some of the NBA’s most valuable former players.

The last six MVP awards have been won by Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid. Their teams aren’t living up to high expectations, but they have varying degrees of hope depending on the NBA’s first week.

No gold for nuggets

The theory that winning a championship would relax an NBA owner’s purse strings has been repeatedly dismissed. The 2011 Dallas Mavericks were an example, and they already have Marc Cuban, the most animated owner. The Golden State Warriors needed to keep the dynasty together, even as their payroll balloons to nearly half a billion dollars. Ultimately, owner Joe Lacob refused to keep Klay Thompson for old times sake.

The Denver Nuggets won the title in 2023, but that seems like five years ago. The core of the team was broken. They refused to try to guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, whose shooting and perimeter defense have already been a stabilizer for two championship teams. Instead, the Nuggets are rolling with Russell Westbrook.

The Nuggets got off to a slow start, but are now 4-3 after a few wins. Are the Nuggets doomed? Not this season, but having a three-time MVP raises the ceiling of expectations. As Michael Porter Jr mentioned, this could be the last round before they split. Losing the KCP is already a sign, and it places their holders in a handicapping position.

Sick Sixers

At the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings reside the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks. For the Sixers, the positive side is that their two stars, Paul George and Joel Embiid, only have one game under their belt. George debuted against the Phoenix Suns, a 6-1 team in the West, and they almost won.

This feels like a moral victory, and logic dictates that if they add Embiid, they will become the powerhouse they were supposed to be. However, Embiid’s debut was stalled due to suspension. As if he hasn’t missed enough games due to his countless injuries, he has to sit out three games because of his character.

Side note: Joel Embiid was suspended for shoving a local reporter who criticized him for missing too many games. So now he’s missing even more games. Players are human and can react to criticism quite aggressively. Kevin Durant recently called out Stephen A. Smith, but a seven-foot NBA player speaking to the media is unnecessary. Honestly, three games is pretty merciful.

If the Sixers with Paul George and Tyrese Maxey can compete with one of the best teams in the West, then adding Embiid, even for just half the season, can get them into play-in. The Sixers are sick, but not totally hopeless.

Breaking dollars

The Milwaukee Bucks are 1-6 despite Giannis Antetokounmpo looking dominant (looks a lot like Wilt Chamberlain in those vintage videos, diving on everyone) and Damian Lillard being explosive.

“Dame Time” recorded 27.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists in seven games while shooting nearly 40 percent from the three-point line. The Greek Freak has 31 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Both are playing at the expected All-Star level, so why are they losing?

They always have the excuse of Khris Middleton’s absence, but the truth is that Jrue Holiday was better suited next to Giannis than Dame. Despite the additional firepower, the tradeoff they made regarding the loss of perimeter defense was too high. The team failed to acquire better perimeter defenders to play alongside Lillard, and it cost them too much.

This was enough to spark Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade talks, which is overblown and premature. However, it is not without merit.

The Bucks are the team that has a long-term problem to solve, even if the Sixers need to win first and foremost. All three former MVPs are struggling, but does that mean we’ll get a new one at the end of the season? Most likely.