Amid all the trades, firings and noise that shaped this season, the one thing that hasn’t settled is the race for the NBA’s most important individual awards. With the playoffs around the corner, the league remains without consensus on nearly every major honor. Arguments can be made in every direction, and each case seems to shift with every passing week. Every award is still up for grabs, and the final decisions will define how this unforgettable season is remembered.
Most Valuable Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
This season’s MVP race has been one of the most exciting in recent memory. Nikola Jokić put up staggering numbers, becoming the third player in NBA history to average a triple double, while dropping nearly 30 points per game and carrying the Denver Nuggets to 50 wins. But no player has had a more complete impact than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He led the league in scoring, ranked among the top five in steals and was the driving force behind the Oklahoma City Thunder’s league-best 68 wins.
On a roster full of young talent but without another true superstar, Shai elevated the Thunder with his scoring, improved shooting and elite perimeter defense. He played fewer fourth quarters than any other MVP contender due to the blowouts he helped create, and still led the league in plus-minus by a wide margin. While Jokic had a season worthy of the award, Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to consistently deliver on both ends of the court, combined with the Thunder’s overwhelming success, positions him as the frontrunner for the MVP award.
Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Draymond Green anchored a resurgent Golden State Warriors defense that rose into the top 10 by the season’s end. While his late-season media tour drew plenty of attention, it was backed by a season of elite defense that spoke just as loudly. He consistently guarded the opposing team’s best player and elevated the Warriors’ lineups even when surrounded by limited defenders. His defensive metrics placed him in the league’s elite, and his versatility remains unmatched. While Evan Mobley made a strong case early in the year, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ drop-off in team defense after January shifted momentum. Draymond’s consistent impact on both individual matchups and team structure merits this recognition.
Most Improved Player: Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
The 2024-2025 season saw Dyson Daniels take a leap few expected. Already known for his defensive instincts, he sharpened that strength by leading the league in steals and deflections. The real growth, however, came from a new level of offensive awareness and composure in big moments. He became more assertive, smarter with the ball, and increasingly efficient as the season progressed. Daniels turned into a vital piece of how the Atlanta Hawks operate on both ends. His improved shooting touch, decision-making and command of tempo elevated him from a role player to an indispensable starter.
Sixth Man of the Year: Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics’ depth has been a storyline all year, and no bench piece has been more valuable than Payton Pritchard. He provided instant offense, reliable shooting and timely playmaking in key minutes. When starters sat, he stabilized the offense. When games tightened, he hit big shots. Pritchard’s ability to blend efficiency with volume and fit into a contending roster’s needs has separated him from other candidates, such as Malik Beasley and Ty Jerome.
Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
In a class with no runaway star, Castle stood above the rest. He embraced a role most rookies shy away from—initiating the San Antonio Spurs’ offense and taking on tough defensive assignments from day one. Despite struggling with inefficiency, he played with poise, finished well at the rim and thrived as a ball handler in a hybrid guard role. His ability to contribute on both ends, while managing a heavy workload, made him the most impactful rookie across the full season—edging out peers like Zacharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, who shined in flashes but lacked the same consistency.
Coach of the Year: J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
No coach changed the trajectory of a franchise more than J.B. Bickerstaff. Taking over a Detroit Pistons team that won just 14 games last season, he helped triple their win total and turned them into a playoff team with a clear identity. He unlocked Cade Cunningham, integrated veterans, such as Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., and maximized the potential of young pieces, like Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren. The culture shift was immediate. A team that lost 28 straight games last season and made headlines for all the wrong reasons has now found structure, toughness and purpose under Bickerstaff’s watch.
