The 2023-2024 NBA season, is officially here and it begins today! There's a lot of excitement for this season. With that being said, here's my official predictions for every NBA Awards for the 2023-2024 NBA season!
MVP
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: This might not be everyones favorite pick nor a surprising one, as Jokic has been given the "best player in the world" title by a lot of people, due to the historical run he went on during the playoffs en-route of Denver winning the championship. Jokic is already a two-time MVP (won back-to back in 2021 & 2022) who was in controversial discussions for MVP last season, due to voter fatigue, people saying he couldn't do it in the playoffs, and other things unrelated to basketball. Well, the NBA Champion silenced the critics, and I believe he will win again due his impact, winning, and the absurd statistical numbers he will put up this season.
Runner-Ups
Giannis Anteokoumnpo, Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis is already a two-time MVP (won in back-to-back years 2019 & 2020) and has finished in third place in the last seasons. Giannis has been one of the best players in the league during the last five years. I believe he will stay in MVP conversations due to him and Milwaukee being in perfect position to check every box that comes with being in the MVP conversation. With the acquisition of Damian Lillard, Milwaukee are fully expected to continue sitting atop of the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee will easily check off the impact/winning aspect, then Giannis will continue to put up great statistical numbers both offensively and defensively, and they'll continue to win a lot of games. So for those reasons, I believe Giannis once again will be in the convo for the award.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: After another successful regular season which ended in a devastating playoff run for them, Boston just cannot get over the championship hurdle. With the acquisitions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, I believe Boston will be atop of the Eastern Conference, which bolds well for Tatum to make a MVP type of run. With Tatum entering his prime, he is in a prime position to be in the MVP conversations due winning and impact factor, along with having the statistical numbers of an MVP candidate.
DPOY
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers: I believe Anthony Davis is the best defensive player in the league. The big concern is the amount of games he plays, which may be the one thing that disqualifies from the award. Anthony Davis is an elite rim protector, who has the ability to affect and alter shots is among the best in the league, and can guard out on the perimeter, which makes him a special defensive talent. The talent and pieces around him will allow him to be more free and roam around on defense this season which will elevate his case for the award.
Runner-Ups
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo deserves more respect as a defensive player. Adebayo has been one of the best defensive players in the league of the last few seasons. Adebayo is elite defensively in the paint, who is in my opinion, the most switchable big in the league, who can guard all five positions, which makes scoring on him really difficult. After not being named a finalist for this award last year and being left off in the conversation as arguably the best defensive player in the league by the GMs, I believe he comes out with a huge chip on his shoulder and puts himself in the conversation for the award. The rest of the league will see a motivated Adebayo on the defensive end of the floor.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley who was only in his second season finished third for this award last season and he anchored the top ranked defense for Cleveland last season while defending multiple positions. This showcases how special of a defensive talent Mobley is, as he's a legit 7' footer who is an elite rim protector, who can really guard out on the perimeter and guard all five positions as well. As Mobley continues to improve, I expect him to be in the convo for this award once again.
Most Improved Player
Jordan Poole, Washington Wizards: Everything is setting out perfectly for Jordan Poole to breakout. It's up to him to go out and do it. Poole tenure with Golden State had a lot of ups and downs. With his highest points coming during the 2022 playoff run which resulted in Golden State winning the championship, which was then followed by some low points by getting benched during last years playoffs run and being traded to Washington where he will now be leading a group that's going through a rebuild. And with that, he will likely take over as their go-to scorer and will have the green light. With Poole being fully unleashed, it would not surprise me to see average over 25 points per game.
Runner-Ups
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers: With it looking like James Harden will no longer play for Philly anymore. Maxey has an opportunity to step up as the lead guard and show that he can be the new number two option for Philly. Maxey has already proven that he's a very good NBA player and I believe he can take that next step to becoming an All-Star caliber player this season which Philly need with the potential loss of James Harden. Due to the unfortunate circumstances currently in Philly, one of the lone bright spots, is that I believe Maxey will take that next step.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic: I believe Orlando could shock a lot of people and push for a potential playoff spot this season. If Orlando does that, I believe Franz Wagner would be a huge reason why. Wagner had a very good sophomore season last season, as he averaged 18.6 points per game on good efficiency as he shot 48.5% from the field and shot 36% from three. He is already a very good NBA player that continues to get better and he deserves more hype around him. After a strong offseason which resulted in him winning gold at FIBA World Cup for Germany this summer, I believe Wagner will put a lot of people on notice this season.
Rookie of the Year
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: Obviously, this comes to the surprise to nobody. The hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama is obviously not normal. Regarded as the best prospect since LeBron James, I believe he is ready to take on the NBA and he's ready to showcase his skillset which we have never seen from a player that is 7'4. He will be given the keys to San Antonio offense and the team will play through him. This will be an all-time rookie of the year race but as long as he plays the set amount of games that is required to win Rookie of the Year, then I believe he will Rookie of the Year. Also, in my opinion, it's not out of the question that Victor Wembanyama averages over 20 points per game this season.
Runner-Ups
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren was drafted second in the 2022 NBA Draft. However, due to an injury that kept him out all of last season, Holmgren qualifies as a rookie this season. Chet Holmgren is a 7'1 big, who has is also very skilled as a shooter and rim protector on defense. Holmgren fills in a lot of what Oklahoma missed last season and for a team that is expected to take a leap this season, he's going to play a huge part in OKC taking that leap. Holmgren is the perfect fit and will make the game easier for players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey and vice versa. Holmgren along with Scoot Henderson will make this years rookie race an all-time great one.
Scoot Henderson, Portland Trailblazers: Many will take Victor Wembanyama (including myself) as the Rookie of the year, and rightfully so. However, do not sleep on Scoot Henderson, I believe there's an argument that Scoot Henderson is most NBA ready among the rookies. Henderson is an explosive lead guard who plays in a nonstop attack mode and with the departure of Damian Lillard, he will have the ball in his hands from day one. Henderson along with Chet Holmgren will make this years rookie race an incredibly tight race. I believe Portland will be better than some may believe this season, and it's because of Scoot Henderson.
Sixth Man of the Year
Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings: Malik Monk had a great season for the Sacramento Kings last year. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.9 assists per game and shot 36% from three off the bench for Sacramento. Monk reunited with his former college teammate De'Aaron Fox and the two of them fitted perfectly next to one another. Monk fits perfectly as the sixth man for Sacramento as a microwave scorer and he had plenty of big moments in his first season with Sacramento. Now being integrated and knowing the Kings offensive system better, entering his second season with Sacramento, I believe he can and will improve his performance even more. With Sacramento winning more and Monk being a key contributor with them winning, I could definitely see him winning this award.
Runner-Ups
Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks: Immanuel Quickley started slowly last year not being as heavily featured off the bench but really took off in the second half of the season. Post all-star break, Quickley averaged 21 points per game on 45.6% from the field and 40% from three. He earned the trust of Tom Thibodeau which is hard to do as a young player. Quickley ended up finishing second for the award last season. Now, with Quickley going into the season knowing his role as a go to guy off the bench from the jump, he's going to be able to carry that momentum that he built last year into this season where he takes his game to another level.
Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers: Norman Powell was one of the most productive scorers off the bench last season for the Clippers. I believe that will be the case for this season as well for a team that's looking to stay healthy and get back to being contenders. There's a lot of talent on the Clippers, but if Powell can keep the same level of production from last year, with the same level of efficiency (especially from three). Then, Powell will certainly be in the running for the award again this season.
Clutch Player of the Year
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has turned himself into one of the best players in the NBA today, and I believe that will continue this season. I believe the Thunder will be a playoff team this season, and Shai will be the main reason why. Shai has hit numerous amount of game winners over the last couple of seasons. He will have the ball in his hands at the end of games. He has already proven to be one of the best scorers but with more talent around him, he will be able to show off his ability in the biggest moments.
Runner-Up
De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings: After winning the award last season, Fox has shown the ability to hit clutch shots. Sacramento will play a lot of close games again this year and Fox has already proven to hit a lot of clutch shots. I believe he will deliver again in the clutch which is why I believe he will be in the conversation to win the award again.
COTY
Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder: Oklahoma City has arguably the best young core in the league. If OKC improves again with the additions of Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, and Vasilije Micic, expect the Thunder to be a play-in/playoff team. The potential of this team is limitless and Mark Daigneault have implement a great structure/culture in OKC.
Runner-Up
Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic: The Orlando Magic are going to surprise a lot of people this season. It wouldn't surprise me, if Orlando make a similar leap to what Oklahoma City did last season. I have Orlando as a play-in team, as Orlando has one of the best young duos in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando are certainly talented and will be a fun team this season, as they'll put a lot of people on notice this season.
Executive of the Year
Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers: Rob Pelinka deserves his credit for the offseason he put together. I believe the Lakers had the best offseason, as they've a deep roster with major flexibility throughout the roster. Pelinka has built a roster that should be able to match up with anyone in the league. Their strong depth will be a massive help, especially given this team injury history over the last few years.
Runner-Up
Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics: Brad Stevens had some very big decisions to make in the offseason which could turn into a big positive for Boston. Boston traded Marcus Smart, their heart and soul and emotional leader, for Kristaps Porzingis. He also traded traded away Robert Williams for Jrue Holiday. Both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have higher offensive ceilings for Boston and provides offensive support for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. These high risk-high reward could get Boston over the championship hump.