Superstar Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum now leads the official “2022-23 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder” released by the NBA each week to project the eventual winner of the 2023 Kia Most Valuable Player award and teammate Jaylen Brown has made his first appearance ever on it with a No. 10 ranking.

Bookending the early projections for the award can easily be explained by the duo’s role in the Celtics holding the NBA’s top record, with each picking up the slack for the other on respective off nights all while getting a hefty dollop of help from their teammates.

In between Tatum (No. 1) and Brown (No. 10) we find in order (No. 2 – tie) Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks and Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, to round out the top three projections for the award.

We also see (No. 4) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, (No. 5) Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns, (No. 6) Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, (No. 7) and Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets in the list’s middle class.

Finally, (No. 8) Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies and (No. 9) Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers wrap up the projections for this week.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

Related

It's not fair how well the Boston Celtics are playing

List

Trade for Malcolm Brogdon re-graded with a fifth of the season behind us

List

Nia long opens up about Boston Celtics, Ime Udoka scandal

List

Boston Celtics unfazed by courtside visit from Prince and Princess of Wales

List

Jayson Tatum scores 49 as Boston beats Miami 134-121

Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire