Which remaining NBA star can be next first-time MVP?

For the first time in modern NBA history, no active player who previously won MVP is in the final four of the playoffs.

In a league so star-driven, that could lead to fascinating conference finals matchups. But it doesn't mean the next round, which kicks off Tuesday night with the Eastern Conference Finals, is bereft of talent.

Far from it.

Here are four players, one from each team, remaining that have the best chance of being a future league MVP.

4. Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton

The fourth-year guard out of Iowa State emerged as one of the league's breakout stars this season. He finished first in assists per game (10.9) and led the Pacers to the inaugural in-season tournament finals against the Lakers. Haliburton saved his best performance of the postseason for Indiana's historic Game 7 romp of the Knicks. Haliburton scored 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting as the Pacers recorded the best team shooting percentage (67.1 percent) in NBA playoff history.

Haliburton's ascendance has made Indiana one of the most thrilling teams in the league, and if he continues orchestrating the league's best offense, we can easily see a scenario in the near future where he's awarded for being the maestro of the efficient attack.

3. Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum

It's surprising that Tatum has never been an MVP finalist, which suggests it might be challenging for him to garner enough support to win the award one of these years. As the best player on the league's best team, Tatum finished sixth in voting this season. In 2022-23, when he averaged a career-high 30.1 points per game, he finished fourth.

Tatum likely is being punished for having an incredible supporting cast, which is a shame, considering he has been among the most consistently excellent players over the last four seasons. Since the start of 2020-21, he's one of four players (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid) to average at least 27 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal per game, and Tatum's done so averaging the fewest turnovers per game (2.7) among the group that includes two former MVPs.

2. Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic

Doncic is on that shortlist with Tatum and finished third in MVP voting this season after leading the league with 33.9 points per game. He had the second-highest usage rate (35.5) this season, and his all-round importance to the Mavs could make him the next foreign-born MVP.

1. Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards

The undoubted biggest star of the postseason, Edwards could become the youngest player to be named MVP since Derrick Rose if he parlays his playoff run into the league's most prestigious individual award next season. In 2023-24, he became the eighth player in league history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists per game at 22 or younger, joining Doncic, Ja Morant, LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson. Edwards hasn't even reached his prime, giving him a chance to win multiple awards. We'd recommend he make room on his shelf.