Most Valuable Player
Vincent: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks
Since the 2017-18 season, the lowest mark Giannis Antetokounmpo has ranked in points per game has been fifth. There’s a reason why he’s been on the All-NBA First Team in all but one year, along with back-to-back MVP awards in 2018 and 2019. In the time since his MVP awards, he’s finished third or fourth in every year after. With the current construct of this Bucks team, Antetokounmpo has to be the best player in basketball, if a playoff run is what Milwaukee is shooting for.
Reece: Luka Dončić, G, Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic has a lot of weight on his shoulders heading into the 2025-26 NBA Season. The Dallas Mavericks traded away their star of the future and a future Hall of Famer last season because they feared his conditioning and health. After a long, hardworking summer, Dončić has even more to prove to the world. For the first time, Dončić has dedicated his offseason to getting in better shape by eating a very strict diet and hitting the weight room more frequently. With Lebron James expected to miss the first month of the season, this gives Dončić the keys from day one to show the league who he really is. I have full belief that Luka Dončić will put the league on notice this season and walk away with the MVP Trophy.
Defensive Player of the Year
Vincent: Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs
There’s been numerous specimens in the sport of basketball, especially in recent history. None has been more impressive than what Victor Wembanyama has been able to do in his first two years. Besides his growth as a scorer, he’s been the best shot blocker in the league, with the versatility to guard anybody on the floor. Throw in the fact that instead of enjoying the majority of his off-season, he spent it training with NBA Hakeem Olajuwon and went on a retreat at the Shaolin Monastery, the French export might be the most prepared player this season. He’ll capture the Defensive Player of the Year, while also making a great case for MVP.
Reece: Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs
When it’s all set and done, they may have to name this award after Wembanyama. I know it may be an exaggeration, given that he has yet to win the award, but let’s be real: without the blood clots last season, Wemby was the clear frontrunner for DPOY. Not to mention, it was only his second season in the NBA. Wemby also had a strong case for DPOY his rookie season, finishing second behind Rudy Gobert. The man is a different breed on the defensive side of the ball, having the ability to guard 1-5 efficiently while standing at 7 foot 5. Wemby is a shock to the basketball world and defines the odds any opportunity he gets. I believe that Wembanyama will surpass the four blocks per game mark this season and be the clear front-runner for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Rookie of the Year
Vincent: Cooper Flagg, F, Dallas Mavericks
Awards are nothing new for Cooper Flagg. In his lone season in college, he collected every honor he possibly could’ve, which factored into why he was picked first in this year’s draft. Flagg is the most complete player in this year’s class and also enters the league in the perfect scenario. When looking at other top picks like VJ Edgecombe and Ace Bailey, they have reasons that will hurt their chances for the award. Edgecombe was picked by Philadelphia, who hopes Paul George, Joel Embiid and last year’s first round pick Jared McCain will all stay healthy, who will all take shots away from the Baylor product, as well as Tyrese Maxey. For Bailey, despite having the chance to lead the Jazz in scoring, but the outlook for Utah looks bleak. For Flagg’s scenario, the Mavericks have talented players around him, like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, when he returns from injury, but Flagg won’t have too many options in his way.
Reece: Cooper Flagg, F, Dallas Mavericks
Last year’s Rookie of the Year race was very unpredictable, with Stephon Castle taking home that trophy. This year, an incoming phenomenon by the name Cooper Flagg is here to take the league by storm. The word ‘phenom’ should not be used lightly,, but this 18-year-old out of Maine has superstar written all over him. Flagg has dominated every level of basketball so far—from public school, to prep school, to EYBL AAU, and most recently at Duke. Coming off a Wooden Award and 19 points per game as a young freshman, I expect his production to be very high for a rookie. Cooper Flagg will win the 2026 ROTY award, and the race will not be close after the first few months of the season.
6th Man of the Year
Vincent: Onyeka Okongwu, F, Atlanta Hawks
After adding Kristaps Porziņġis to the roster, it seems that Onyeka Okongwu will be coming off the bench. Yet, this might be the best thing for him. Despite most likely not starting, the sixth year big man is still going to be a big impact player for Atlanta. With each year, he’s gained more minutes and improved in his all-around game. Add the fact that he and Porzingis don’t have identical play styles, he won’t be blocked off from getting a healthy share of minutes and could find himself in the closing squad of the Hawks’ games.
Reece: Lonzo Ball, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers made a very unexpected acquisition this offseason, trading Issac Okoro for Lonzo Ball. Ball has shown much promise in his NBA career, but injuries have been a major setback so far. With the current construction of this Cavaliers’ roster, Ball’s playstyle fits perfectly. With Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen both serving as lob threats, Ball will thrive in the pick-and-roll. Donovan Mitchell, being the explosive scorer he is, will also benefit from Ball’s ability to facilitate the basketball. Lonzo Ball is in the best position of his career and could quickly become one of the best bench players in the league if he stays healthy.
Most Improved
Vincent: Ausar Thompson, F, Detroit Pistons
Of the Thompson twins, Amen has been more notable, making the All-NBA Defensive First Team and having a larger role for the Houston Rockets. However, this will be the year where Ausar becomes a household name. He has the chance to cement himself as a focal point in the Pistons’ offense. Last season, Detroit made the playoffs for the first time in over a half-decade. With more significant aspirations for this season, an increase in production is necessary. Add the fact that Dennis Schröder, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley all gone from Detroit, as well as Jaden Ivey set to miss the beginning of the season, the door is open for Thompson to see another increase in his offensive proficiency, while also trying to mimic his brother’s defensive presence.
Reece: Payton Pritchard, G, Boston Celtics
The Most Improved Player award has been controversial in recent years, with many winners being proven stars already. Considering what the award is truly meant to recognize, Payton Pritchard is a perfect candidate for this upcoming season. The Celtics roster is much different than it was this time last year. Kristaps Porziņġis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Jrue Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, Jayson Tatum tore his achilles back in May and Al Horford signed with the Golden State Warriors. This opens up more minutes and shot opportunities for Pritchard. Boston is going to need a guy like Pritchard to step up and become a 20 point-per-game scorer, which can lead to a Most Improved Player award for Pritchard.
Coach of the Year
Vincent: Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
To think another coach besides the legendary Gregg Popovich would win Coach of the Year seemed like something we wouldn’t see for a while. Instead, Mitch Johnson could be the next great coach in San Antonio. Johnson was promoted to head coach after Popovich needed to leave the team for medical reasons. Though the Spurs weren’t a threat a season ago, San Antonio enters the season as a team who has the potential to take a tremendous leap forward. Obviously, you can chalk that up to what Wembanyama can do. However, his supporting cast is a very quality one that Johnson could lead to a playoff spot. Castle, last year’s deadline addition De’Aaron Fox and second overall pick Dylan Harper are the notable alternative options, but have other young talents and quality role players. If Johnson can utilize everyone correctly, it wouldn’t be a shock to see San Antonio be a top-four team in the Western Conference.
Reece: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
The Coach of the Year is always unpredictable, as no coach has ever won the award in back-to-back seasons. One coach to watch out for in this upcoming season is Jason Kidd. The Dallas Mavericks lucked out in the lottery, securing Copper Flagg with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In addition, Davis is healthy coming into the season, and Irving will be back by January. With the upside of this roster, as well as the freedom that Coach Kidd gives his players, the Mavericks have the potential to be a top-five team in the Western Conference, giving Kidd a strong chance to win Coach of the Year..
NBA Champion
Vincent: Oklahoma City Thunder
Despite this being the pick last year, OKC has all the talent to be the first repeat champions since the 2017 and 2018 Golden State Warriors. The Thunder didn’t lose any major pieces from last season, are still the best defensive team in the NBA and have the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That could be enough to argue for OKC’s chance to repeat. Supplemental scoring options Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are anticipated to increase in production, as well as last year’s first overall pick Nikola Topić set to join the team at some point this year. Taking all that into account, it’s hard to pick anyone else besides Oklahoma City to win the NBA Finals.
Reece: New York Knicks
Leon Rose and the New York Knicks have pulled many strings over the past few years to build a championship-caliber roster. The Knicks have arguably the best starting lineup, with Jalen Brunson leading the charge. New York added some key depth pieces in free agency this summer, signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele—addressing the biggest hole for this roster just a few months ago. With the hiring of Mike Brown, there may be some growing pains for the Knicks, but don’t be surprised if this team finds themselves bringing a championship to New York City.
All stats are from Basketball Reference as of Oct 19.
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