2024-25 NBA Regular Season Awards Predictions
The start of the NBA regular season is about a month away and it's never too early to talk about the end-of-the-season awards. I'll list the favorite, my pick and the longshot for the major awards.
MVP
Favorite: Nikola Jokic +350
As long as he’s heathy, the Joker will always be an MVP candidate because he’s a walking triple-double, who averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists on 58.3% shooting. The Nuggets are stuck in a very tough Western Conference with a weak bench and as good as Jokic is, that team might not finish in the top four.
My Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +600
SGA is the best overall guard in the league. Luka Doncic will put up better numbers, but his conditioning and lack of defense ultimately hurts him. The Thunder might be the team to beat and the poise of SGA will put them over the top. Last year, he averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds on 53.5% shooting. When he improves his three-point shooting (35.3% LY), it’s over.
Longshot: Victor Wembanyama +2500
The numbers are scary when you consider the 7-4, 210-pounder was a rookie last season. He shot just 46.5% from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc and his think frame hindered him from getting closer to the basket. But when you average 3.6 blocks per game, 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in your first season. It’s scary to think what he can do with a little more strength and experience.
Most Improved Player
Favorite: Wembanyama +1000
Wemby could win this award as well, but he’s not likely to win that and the MVP award.
My Pick: Brandin Podziemski +2500
The 6-5 rookie had an outstanding first season, but with Klay Thompson gone, he’ll be relied upon much more as a combo guard. He averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 45.4% shooting (38.5% 3pt) in 26.6 mpg. He’ll get at least five more minutes per game this season and Steve Kerr will rely on him late in the game playing next to Steph Curry.
Longshot: Deni Avdija +3000
Avdija is a pretty good value after getting traded to Portland from Washington. He can play either forward spot and some point forward. Last season, he averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 50.6% shooting and 37.4% from beyond the arc. In April, he averaged 18.7 points and shot 50.5% from the field as the team’s primary option. He’ll get plenty of minutes on a younger team.
Rookie of the Year:
Favorite: Zach Edey +600
Edey is a huge player (7-4, 290) but you have to wonder how he fits in this new NBA style of play with big men having to shoot threes and guard other bigs on the perimeter
My Pick: Reed Sheppard +700
This might be one of the toughest picks since this was such a weak draft class. A lot of these rookies won’t start and Sheppard might be one of them in Houston, who has veteran Fred Van Vleet. But Sheppard was so good in the summer and has such great skills that he will be able to help a young team with his outstanding shooting and speed to push the ball in transition.
Coach of the Year:
Favorite: Ime Udoka +900, Houston Rockets
Udoka took a terrible Houston team and made them competitive. He led the Celtics to an NBA Finals in his lone season there.
My Pick: Mark Daigneault +1300, OKC
The Thunder earned the number one seed in the West last season, but they can improve and did. They traded away Josh Giddey, a problem off the court and picked up defensive whiz Alex Caruso. Up front, they needed a physical presence and found one in Isaiah Hartenstein. Daigenault has helped this team become great on both sides of the court. He benched Giddey in the playoffs, which was controversial, but mostly worked out.
Longshot: Willie Green, New Orleans +2500
Green is an excellent coach who has had to deal with injuries and weight issues from his star Zion Williamson. Now, that Willamson is in shape and the fact that they added Dejounte Murray from Atlanta, look out Western Conference. They are a center away from becoming a favorite.
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