With the 2024-25 NBA season about to tip off, it is time to make predictions! Who will win particular person awards this 12 months? Our writers weigh in.
Try our championship predictions right here.
Who would be the Rookie of the 12 months?
Dan Devine: Reed Sheppard. As tempting because it was to select Zach Edey because the Day 1 beginning middle on a staff with title aspirations, I’m banking on Sheppard’s mixture of knockdown taking pictures, pick-and-roll playmaking and turnover-generating on-ball protection to interrupt via the roster logjam in Houston, incomes him huge minutes to rack up huge manufacturing and assist propel the Rockets again into the postseason.
Kevin O’Connor: Zach Edey. Edey will play a pivotal function for the Grizzlies as a submit presence, a lob risk for Ja Morant, and at the same time as a flooring spacer from the corners. On protection, Edey can be an imposing presence across the rim who inhales rebounds.
Vincent Goodwill: Reed Sheppard. This isn’t about finest participant or finest potential, as a result of this wasn’t that type of draft. However what that is about is who’s in the absolute best place to have the ball in his fingers instantly and produce. Sheppard is a extremely good shooter and sound decision-maker. Houston ought to contend for no less than the play-in, and in lieu of a Day 1 famous person, Sheppard can snatch the ROY.
Tom Haberstroh: Zach Edey. I strongly consider Reed Sheppard can be higher this 12 months, however Edey has a clearer path to big-time minutes. The Grizzlies want Edey to fill in half-hour on the middle place whereas Sheppard has Fred VanVleet and Jalen Inexperienced forward of him on the depth chart. Stephen Curry misplaced to Tyreke Evans for Rookie of the 12 months in comparable trend.
Dan Titus: Zach Edey. Edey is the one one who initiatives to earn starters’ minutes from day one. That is a big benefit in comparison with the sphere as a result of successful Rookie of the 12 months is about productiveness. He’ll play 20+ minutes per night time and will common a low-end double-double whereas being an impactful rim protector defensively. With a draft class that lacks fast star energy, it may solely take averaging 10-11 factors per sport to take house the award like Malcolm Brogdon in 2016-17.
Ben Rohrbach: Reed Sheppard. The child is an electrical shooter, making higher than 50% of his 3-pointers as a Kentucky freshman. He can have loads of alternatives to carry out in Houston, the place a set of prospects ought to propel the Rockets to the play-in event. Not typically do Rookies of the 12 months mix particular person and staff success; he has a shot.
Who would be the Defensive Participant of the 12 months?
Rohrbach: Victor Wembanyama. Let his reign start. There’s a probability no person else will win this award for no less than one other decade. Wembanyama is that impactful. He was the league’s finest defensive participant final season, when his staff’s lack of success prevented him from garnering sufficient votes. This season can be totally different. This season can be plain.
Titus: Victor Wembanyama. Over the previous 20 years, gamers who common no less than three blocks and one steal per sport in a season sometimes win DPOY. Jaren Jackson Jr. (2022-23), Marcus Camby (2006-07) and Ben Wallace (2004-06) had been the final to do it and all took house the award. Wembanyama hit these marks as a rookie. Voters will not have the ability to use the Spurs’ report as an excuse this 12 months — this award goes to Wemby.
Devine: Victor Wembanyama. Twenty video games into final season, Gregg Popovich moved Zach Collins from the beginning lineup to the bench, permitting the No. 1 general choose to slip from energy ahead to middle. From that time on, Huge Vic averaged 3.9 blocks, 1.2 steals and a couple of.9 deflections in 29.5 minutes per sport, holding opponents to 53% taking pictures on the rim. He turned a Spurs protection that was ranked twenty seventh earlier than the lineup shift right into a league-average unit afterward — and one which clamped down at a top-two stage when he was on the ground. I believe he’s going to be even higher than that this season; that’s completely horrifying.
Goodwill: Victor Wembanyama. Is he Jason Vorhees or Freddy Krueger? Is he omnipresent or horrifying in your goals? Wembanyama would be the league’s nightmare this 12 months, persevering with on his practically 5 blocks an evening displaying after the All-Star break. He’s stronger this season and outfitted to deal with tasks in any respect three ranges. May as properly identify this award after him, it’ll be etched right here for the subsequent decade.
Haberstroh: Victor Wembanyama. As soon as Gregg Popovich got here to his senses and put the 7-foot-4 man on the middle slot final season, it was over. He averaged six shares (steals plus blocks) per sport after the All-Star break, and the Spurs posted a top-12 defensive score throughout that point with a ragtag group of contributors. He’s solely getting began.
O’Connor: Victor Wembanyama. This can be Victor Wembanyama’s award to lose for the subsequent decade. There has not been a extra transformative defender this century.
Who would be the Coach of the 12 months?
Titus: Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies. The Grizzlies had been probably the most injury-riddled groups final season, successful simply 27 video games. Memphis was a 50+ win staff in 2021-22 and 2022-23, and with all of their foundational items nonetheless intact and principally wholesome, Jenkins will get loads of credit score for rehabbing a bottom-five staff right into a high-seeded playoff contender. A 20-to-25-game enchancment can be a straightforward promote.
Goodwill: Mike Budenholzer, Suns. Who is aware of if Bud is actually a greater coach than one-and-done Frank Vogel, however there’s little doubt he’s a greater match for this roster building. The Suns bought 49 wins final 12 months and appeared to go away extra on the desk, as a top-five 3-point taking pictures staff however backside 5 in makes an attempt. The “let it fly” mentality can have the Suns as a shock staff and extra cohesive unit on offense, and Bud will get the Lion’s share of the credit score.
Rohrbach: Joe Mazzulla, Celtics. I’m undecided there are going to be many surprises records-wise throughout the NBA. The groups we predict are going to be nice are going to be nice. The groups we predict are going to be horrible are going to be horrible. And everybody in between will duke it out for playoff positioning. Which supplies us an opportunity to understand the mad genius of Mazzulla, who at present owns one of the best win-loss proportion (.738) in NBA historical past — by loads.
Haberstroh: Erik Spoelstra, Warmth. He’s gotta win it sooner or later, proper? He’s by no means been named the season’s high coach although contained in the league he’s overwhelmingly thought-about one of the best coach within the NBA (GMs have picked him 5 years in a row now). There’s going to be an East staff that surprises this season, and the Miami Warmth have the correct elixir of star energy and unproven expertise to tug the rabbit out of the hat.
O’Connor: Ime Udoka, Rockets. The Rockets will take huge steps ahead this season and make the playoffs. With a mix of younger guys flanked by a number of veterans, Udoka can be credited for the staff’s general progress and cohesiveness on the court docket.
Devine: Mark Daigneault, Thunder. Within the historical past of the Coach of the 12 months Award, no person’s ever gone back-to-back. But when Oklahoma Metropolis runs away with the West — blowing previous 60 wins, vying for the highest spot in each offensive and defensive effectivity, enhancing in each capability and doing all of it with what’s once more the youngest roster within the NBA — then somebody’s going to get the credit score. Why not the coach?
Who would be the Sixth Man of the 12 months?
O’Connor: Donte DiVincenzo. DDV will obtain an expanded function with the Timberwolves, giving him extra reps as some extent guard than he had obtained on the Knicks. Count on him to play heavy minutes, and end a whole lot of video games. The one factor stopping him from successful this award is a transfer to the beginning lineup over the ageing Mike Conley.
Titus: Donte DiVincenzo. DiVincenzo is taking part in with a giant chip on his shoulder after getting dealt to Minnesota. He is seamlessly built-in into the Wolves system as a hybrid facilitator and scorer off the bench, and based mostly on his 20% preseason utilization, his offensive output can match that of Malik Monk and reigning Sixth Man of the 12 months Naz Reid.
Devine: Malik Monk, Kings. Monk has was an ideal offensive reserve choice for Mike Brown in Sacramento — fluid within the dribble-handoff sport, adept at trying to find his personal shot within the pick-and-roll, extra seasoned in mapping the ground as he comes off the display and extra keen to get teammates concerned. He most likely would’ve gained final season had he not gotten damage on the finish of March, opening the door for Naz Reid to swoop in; this time, he finishes the job.
Rohrbach: Donte DiVincenzo. A second straight Sixth Man award for the Wolves. And Naz Reid can be a candidate once more. However DiVincenzo is performing as if he’s out for blood following his commerce from the New York Knicks, and he has the expertise to extract a whole lot of it.
Goodwill: Naz Reid. Over the past decade, it’s been a small man’s award, a scorer who can do it in bunches. Reid broke the streak final 12 months and he’ll do it yet one more time. The Wolves will want him to attain extra with out Karl-Anthony Cities, and he’s versatile sufficient for 3 positions. He’ll get the seems to be, the alternatives and the Wolves will win at a fair greater clip. Thus, the reward.
Haberstroh: Donte DiVincenzo. Becoming a member of his fifth staff in 4 seasons, DiVincenzo has discovered a house in Minnesota the place he can flourish within the second unit. He was a starter on a 50-win staff final 12 months, offering elite 3-point taking pictures, transition spark and feisty protection for the New York Knicks. The Timberwolves want his scoring punch behind Anthony Edwards, and the 27-year-old is overqualified for the job.
Who would be the Most Improved Participant of the 12 months?
Goodwill: Evan Mobley. You get the sensation he’s extra Slim Duncan than Tim Duncan, however it additionally feels he’s prime for a breakout underneath Kenny Atkinson. They’re intent on working extra offense via him, which lessens the ask for him to be a shooter. He’s already an elite defender and shot-blocker, and his offense will take a big leap from that 15-16 PPG to 20-21, forming a real 1-2 punch with Donovan Mitchell.
Devine: Jalen Williams. I believe Williams is a bona fide star within the making, one who has regularly made vital strides at each juncture in his journey: from his sophomore to junior years at Santa Clara, from the beginning of his profession to the top of his rookie season, and from his first 12 months to his second, when he was arguably the second-best participant on the No. 1 seed within the West. I believe he’s going to take a 12 months 3 leap, perhaps earn an All-Star spot, and cement himself because the second star on a championship contender; that, sometimes, is a recipe for heavy MIP consideration.
Haberstroh: Victor Wembanyama. As I wrote final season, Wembanyama is our first synthetic intelligence hooper — a man who absorbs data and leverages it at unattainable velocity. If the award was about in-season enchancment, he would have gained the award simply. At this price, he can finish the 2024-25 season as the sport’s finest participant, which might make him MIP in my e book.
O’Connor: Jalen Johnson. Johnson may’ve been a Most Improved candidate final season, however his leap might be even larger now. Johnson has improved yearly throughout the board, and throughout the preseason he appeared like a flexible beast who can deal with the ball, shoot, end loudly on the rim, playmake, and defend throughout positions.
Rohrbach: Jalen Williams. Williams is bordering on the precipice of stardom, and this 12 months takes the plunge. The Thunder are going to be superior, and he would be the second-most vital cause for that — an All-Star in his third season. For as a lot as his various ability set amplifies everybody round him, the expertise in OKC can’t assist however amplify him.
Titus: Jalen Johnson. Johnson improved in practically each statistical space in his third NBA season. With Dejounte Murray gone, he’ll step into a big function as a secondary scorer and, doubtlessly, playmaker. He is a two-way versatile wing who will push for 20 factors per sport 10 boards and 4 assists. That is an MIP all day.
Who would be the Clutch Participant of the 12 months?
Haberstroh: Jalen Brunson. This can be a quantity award and you realize Brunson can deal with it. He led all gamers in clutch scoring within the postseason and I see no cause why he gained’t proceed acting at a excessive stage in crunchtime. Karl-Anthony Cities could steal some touches, however I believe he’ll be working on empty along with his full-time defensive duties underneath Tom Thibodeau’s scheme.
O’Connor: Steph Curry. Following his epic clutch moments for Workforce USA, the Warriors will get again to their successful methods this season and Curry will naturally be a central a part of that. Count on many “BANGS” in Steph’s future.
Devine: Luka Dončić. That is partly a guess on DeMar DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox cannibalizing each other’s candidacies now that they play collectively in Sacramento. It’s partly a guess on another candidates (reigning winner Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and their groups taking part in fewer “clutch” video games than final season, and on Dončić (simply 96 “clutch” minutes in 28 contests final season) and Dallas taking part in extra. Principally, although, it’s me persevering with to have that 3 he hit over Rudy Gobert rolling via my head. In the event you’re going to be a prisoner of the second, no less than have or not it’s a really friggin’ cool second.
Goodwill: Damian Lillard. He’s in form, his head is in a greater spot after the jarring commerce that despatched him to Milwaukee on the eve on coaching camp final 12 months. Assuming well being, recapturing that outdated magic shouldn’t be unattainable over 82 video games. The belief stage between himself and Giannis Antetokounmpo ought to have some endurance, and if Dame remains to be the participant near his prime, a revenge tour might be forthcoming.
Rohrbach: Stephen Curry. When unsure, choose Steph. Did you see him on the Olympics? He’s as thrilling a participant as we now have ever seen, full with a flare for the second. He can carry a whole area if they’re rooting for him or deflate one if they don’t seem to be. Don’t overthink it. It may be tough to foretell “clutch,” except you’re the best shooter alive.
Titus: Jalen Brunson. The primary two award winners had been guards (De’Aaron Fox and Stephen Curry), so Brunson checks the primary field. The 28-year-old All-NBA participant is firmly in his prime and can have ample alternatives to show he is the most effective closers within the league. Brunson had a top-five utilization price within the clutch final 12 months and his efficiency within the closing minutes of the 2023-24 postseason exhibits why he is a worthy candidate to win it.
Who would be the Most Helpful Participant?
Goodwill: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves. It feels prefer it’s Luka Dončić’s time, and even SGA’s. It seems like heresy to have anybody however Nikola Jokić on this spot, but when the Nuggets aren’t a top-three staff within the West (no assure), it’s laborious to see voters awarding him a fourth MVP in 5 years, understanding the historic territory it places him in. Edwards, although, is coming off an Olympic expertise and run to the West finals. The work ethic from Paris and the sting of dropping ought to mix for a Barkley-’93 run or a Wade-in-’09 season, each placing up their finest particular person numbers following a summer time with their friends. He’s nearer to the highest than you assume.
O’Connor: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA will put up monster numbers as soon as once more, and he might be even higher after smoothing out his 3-point taking pictures launch. If SGA goes from a subpar 3-point shooter to a knockdown one, he actually would possibly common near 35 factors per sport. The Thunder will win over 60 video games too, making him an ideal candidate to win the award.
Rohrbach: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Celtics may be so good once more that they can not declare a single MVP vote, however it is going to be apparent who’s spearheading Oklahoma Metropolis’s surge up the standings: Gilgeous-Alexander. For years the MVP voting panel has chosen facilities from lower-seeded groups, and the purpose guard from a juggernaut is a welcome change.
Devine: Nikola Jokić. I get the case for Luka, who’ll proceed to place up insane numbers and can benefit year-after recognition for getting Dallas to the Finals. I get the case for SGA, final 12 months’s runner-up and arguably this 12 months’s strongest “finest participant on one of the best staff” candidate. However I nonetheless assume Jokić is one of the best participant on the planet, and I anticipate him to successfully carry a barely downtrodden Nuggets staff again to 50-plus wins and a top-four seed within the West, and to have one of the best statistical argument throughout the board after having accomplished so. Chalk is boring, I do know; I’m simply going to wish to see another person forcibly erase Jokić from the proceedings earlier than I accomplish that voluntarily.
Titus: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder had been one of the best staff within the West final 12 months, and with a extra sturdy staff, led by perennial MVP candidate Gilgeous-Alexander, that is the 12 months he’ll win it. He’ll common over 30 factors per sport for a 55+ win staff, whereas additionally being one of many high defenders at his place.
Haberstroh: Victor Wembanyama. I do know, the Spurs could not win sufficient. However that overlooks the macro poll pattern that exhibits that voters aren’t blinded by win-loss report lately (see Russell Westbrook in 2017 and Nikola Jokić in 2022). The dude’s going to common 25+ with otherworldly protection. When has that not screamed MVP?
