NBA Award Predictions 2024

With the NBA season coming to an end, it is the perfect time to make award predictions for 2024. There are many questions and debates for the award season.

• Will Nikola Jokic win his third MVP?

• Has Luka Doncic done enough to secure his first MVP? 

• Does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have a legitimate case to win MVP?

These are some of the many questions that NBA fans have about the end of the season. With just about five games left in the NBA season as of Sunday, April 7, there is a firm idea of which players will win awards. Here are our predictions for which players will win awards and make the All-NBA teams:  Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokic. Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic has already won two MVPs and is the front-runner for his third. The Denver Nuggets are the first seed in the Western Conference, led by Nikola Jokic. Jokic is averaging nearly a triple-double with one assist shy. Jokic has an impact on his Denver Nuggets teammates. Notable players such as Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr have all benefited from Nikola Jokic's playmaking ability. Nikola Jokic is a great playmaker for a 6" 11 big man. Jokic is a versatile player who can provide scoring and rebounding. Head coach Michael Malone can call Jokic's number for whatever he needs to provide. 

Runner Up: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic is the runner-up for MVP. With the Mavericks on a hot streak lately, Doncic has led the Team to a huge bounce back from their early-season struggles. It is a close race. However, Jokic comes out on top due to the Nuggets' success. Shai Gilgeous Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is another player worth mentioning. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves With the Minnesota Timberwolves being one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, it's not challenging to miss Rudy Gobert. Gobert is among the best defensive players in the NBA, winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2018, 2019, 2021). After coming off a down year, Gobert is back in the conversation for the award. Gobert is averaging 12.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game this season. Even though Rudy Gobert is sixth in the league in blocks per game, his defensive impact cannot be overlooked. When teams drive to the rim and see Gobert, they don't shoot, so his blocks are not that high. Gobert is one of the primary reasons the Timberwolves are such an excellent defensive team. With Gobert, the Timberwolves have a defensive rating of 107.7, third in the NBA.  

Runner Up: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Although Victor Wembanyama averages the most blocks per game, he is the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year. Wembanyama's long wingspan and 7'4" height make him one of the most dangerous shot blockers in the league. His ability to block and guard any player on the court makes him one of the NBA's most feared defenders. Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Unsurprisingly, Victor Wembanyama is the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year. Coming into the draft, Victor Webanyama was listed as a generational talent. The San Antonio Spurs won the draft lottery and selected Wembanyama with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Despite the Spurs' struggles this season, Victor Wembanyama picked it up since the NBA All-Star weekend, solidifying himself as the clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Wembanyama has had some incredible games lately, showing off his underrated playmaking ability, scoring, and rebounding skills. Coming into the NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs were raving about Wembanyama's playmaking ability. It is impressive to see a 7'4" Center be this versatile.

Runner Up: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Earlier in the season, Chet Holmgren was the favorite to win the award. The Thunder have surprised the NBA world this season, and Chet Holmgren has been a massive part of it. Despite being drafted in 2022, Chet Holmgren is considered a rookie due to his season-ending injury last season. Chet Holmgren is similar to Wembanyama. At 7'2", Holmgren is another versatile Center. Both Wembanyama and Chet have been terrific on the defensive end. Sixth Man of the Year: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Malik Monk is one of the most impactful players on the Sacramento Kings team. His ability to come off the bench and make an impact immediately makes him a strong contender for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Monk's scoring ability is up there with the most explosive bench scorers. Even though Monk only averages 15.4 points per game, the spark he provides for the Kings team is unlike any other bench player in the NBA. Monk takes some scoring pressure off star players like De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Monk can score from all three levels. He shoots 35% from beyond the arc, can drive to the rim whenever needed, and is an excellent mid-range shooter. Monk is also an above-average playmaker, averaging 5.0 assists per game. Monk can spread the floor and also be a playmaker if called upon  

Runner Up: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves

Naz Reid's ability to spread the floor and versatility has resulted in him being up there for Sixth Man of the Year this season. Reid has averaged 13.3 points per game this season and shoots the three-ball at an elite clip. Reid's 41.1% average from the perimeter has put him up with the best shooters in the league this year. It is essential to note that Reid is 6'9", which makes this even more impressive. Only a few other players in the NBA are this tall and can shoot like this. Shooting is not all Reid does; just like Malik Monk, he can drive to the rim whenever he wants. Reid is also a terrific defender; he can block shots and grab boards at his height. Reid averages 0.9 blocks and 5.2 rebounds per game.  Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers suffered a considerable blow when Joel Embiid tore his meniscus. During that period, Tyrese Maxey stepped up and proved he could lead a team. The 76ers have struggled without the former MVP; however, Tyrese Maxey has been a part of the 76ers' success with and without Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey has been able to perform in both situations. It is excellent for a 23-year-old player to look like a ten-year NBA veteran. Something important about Tyrese Maxey is his high basketball IQ. He provides excellent scoring and a good playmaking ability. After being asked to play position after  James Harden was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, Tyrese Maxey has shown his great Point Guard ability. Maxey was recently named an NBA All-Star reserve.

Runner Up: Coby White, Chicago Bulls.

The runner-up for this award would be Scottie Barnes; however, he may need to meet the game requirements. Scottie Barnes was recently named as an All-Star replacement. Coby White has had a surprising year for the Chicago Bulls. He does everything a guard should do. With Lonzo Ball being out for the last two seasons, Coby White has been asked to be the Point Guard for the Bulls; Coby White is good at scoring, shooting, and playmaking. White's explosions on the scoring end have been impressive for the Bulls. Clutch Player of the Year: Demar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Demar DeRozan gets his number called whenever the Bulls need it. Theot in the clutch; the mid-range bucket Demar DeRozan is lethal in the fourth quarter. DeRozan averages 7.2 points in the fourth quarter alone. The clutch Player of the Year award was introduced in the 22-23 season, and it would be a massive honor for DeRozan to win this award. DeRozan would be the second player in NBA history to win this award. He is a capable shooter from everywhere on the basketball court, which helps his clutch ability. Runner Up: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Undoubtedly, Stephen Curry, the three-point king, will be on this list. For many years, Curry has performed in the clutch. When you can shoot as well as Stephen Curry, there is no doubt that you'll be able to do it in the clutch. Stephen Curry can shoot anywhere on the basketball court, including way beyond the three-point line. The impact Curry has had on the game of basketball is incredible.   Coach of the Year:  Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder

Since the 2020-21 season, Mark Daigneault has been the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have been rebuilding with young players, and over the last few years, fans have been wondering when the Thunder will get back into the playoffs. No one expected it to happen this quickly, though. Coming into the 2023-24 season, the Thunder were not considered contenders but a play-in team. This season, though, they have proved everyone wrong. Mark Daigneault has done a fantastic job with this Team, one of the main reasons they are currently contending in the loaded Western conference. Daigneault has coached the Thunder to a 52-25 record with five games left in the season. Daigneault has perfected building around young players, which is showing this season.  

Runner Up: Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic

Like Mark Daigneault, Jamahl Mosley has been the head coach of a rebuilding Magic team for a few years. The Magic have gotten slightly better every year he has been the coach, but this year they clicked. The Magic are 45-32, good enough for fourth in the competitive Eastern Conference. Jamahl Mosley has done a terrific job building a team of young players and some veterans. Like the Thunder, the Magic have outperformed expectations and stand out next to other teams. All-NBA teams are a notable award for players to win. A new NBA rule requires players to play 65 games to qualify for the Team, and there are deserving players who won't make the list due to injury, such as Joel and Donovan Mitchell. The latest rule also allows the teams to be positionless. A handful of guards have played outstanding basketball for their teams this season. The NBA is very talented, making this a tight race for the teams. With that being said, here are our predictions for the All-NBA teams. All-NBA 1st Team: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic.

All-NBA 2nd Team: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis. All-NBA 3rd Team: Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, Lebron James, Domantas Sabonis.