One of the most hotly debated topics during any given NBA season is who will hoist the MVP trophy?

Last year, Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry shot his way to the title ahead of James Harden, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.

Those four names begin the 2015-16 season as the favourites once again, but who are the sleepers?

The NBA is filled with big names that carry big-time talent, so here are five sleeper MVP candidates that could steal the show.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
It is hard to call Durant - a guy who has averaged 27.3 points per game during his eight-year NBA career - a sleeper, but the six-time All-Star battled a foot injury last season that reduced him to just 27 games. Durant won the award in 2014, and could find himself lifting the trophy again in June if he can collaborate with the new-and-improved Westbrook.

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Davis averaged 24.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game last season for a Pelicans team that appears to be on the rise. Davis is a stud on both ends of the court. Defensively, he controls the paint and blocks shots with ease, and his offensive game really took a step forward last season. He could be the NBA's best player in a year or two.

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Griffin used to be just a highlight-reel dunker without much substance to his game. He can still throw down with the best of them, but he has become a much better ball handler and picks his shots more wisely. If Griffin improves upon his numbers from last season (21.9 points per game, 7.6 rebounds) he could be hard to vote against in the MVP race.

Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
There is not much to dislike about Butler's game. All-Defensive second-team, 20 points per game last season and he is willing to rebound against bigger bodies. Yet, the talented shooting guard often finds himself playing second-fiddle to Derrick Rose in Chicago's media. Expect that to change this season if the Bulls make a deep play-off run. Because it will be Butler, not Rose, leading the way.

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Leonard's first four seasons in the NBA were dominated by the ageing 'Big Three' of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Now in his fifth season, Leonard has taken a backseat in the media to high-profile free agent signing LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is a great player, but Gregg Popovich is an old-fashioned coach that sticks with what he knows best. And Leonard taught him last year that he can run the offense and spearhead the defense.

OTHERS TO WATCH
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
John Wall, Washington Wizards
Goran Dragic, Miami Heat
LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz