THE 2ND ANNUAL NBA AWARDS PREDICTIONS

Joel Perez

MVP: Luka Dončić

If we’re talking about beautiful storytelling, this might be it. Luka being traded to the Lakers was one of the biggest surprises in sports history — a move that put him in one of the weirdest positions a player has ever been in. Yet here he is, coming into the year in shape, leading the Lakers to a top seed in the West, and finally capturing his first MVP award.

DPOY: Ivica Zubac

Zubac was already getting buzz around the league about winning this award last year on a Clippers team that finished third in defensive rating. Now, with him getting even more comfortable in his role, he’s got a real shot at finally taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors.

ROTY: Cooper Flagg

This one feels like the most obvious choice. The hype, the talent, the skill — Cooper Flagg has it all. And the story fits perfectly too: the Mavericks winning the lottery and drafting him with the No. 1 pick to continue their superstar lineage. Dirk. Then Luka. Now Flagg — the next great Maverick, ready to claim Rookie of the Year and carry the torch.

MIP: Andrew Nembhard

Nembhard winning this award would be the one true positive for Indiana after last season’s Cinderella run that ended in heartbreak. They made it all the way to the Finals, pushed it to Game 7, then lost Tyrese Haliburton to a catastrophic injury — and later, their longest-tenured player Myles Turner to the Bucks. If there’s a bright spot for this team, it’s Nembhard stepping into the spotlight. After averaging 10 points and 5 assists last season, he’s set for an expanded role — and with more confidence, he’s bound to play his way into Most Improved Player territory.

6MOY: Lonzo Ball

With Lonzo finally finishing last season relatively healthy and flashing signs of his old self, this year feels like a fresh start. Traded to Cleveland — a perfect fit for his playstyle — he’s surrounded by one of the league’s most talented rosters. His defense, playmaking, and leadership should shine again. It’ll be fun seeing the old Lonzo Ball doing his thing in a Cavs jersey.

COTY: Quin Snyder

Snyder’s my pick for Coach of the Year because he’s not just a great coach — he’s walking into one of the more interesting team situations in the league. The Hawks could easily surprise people and become a top seed in the East. Trae Young is playing for a new max deal after declining his player option. Kristaps Porziņģis, on an expiring deal, is looking to prove his value too. Then you’ve got Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels — the young core — already showing flashes of being the future. Add in former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher trying to make his mark, and this team is loaded with motivation. I’m obsessed with how this roster is shaping up, and I’m expecting big things from Atlanta.

Final Thoughts:

Some of my picks might be obvious — like Cooper Flagg — but I stand by all of them. I’m doubling down on Luka for MVP (picked him last year too), and my Nembhard and Ball selections come from a hopeful fan’s perspective more than anything else. Still, I can see at least a couple of these hitting, and honestly, I just hope I finally get one right this time.

Angel Rivera

After months of waiting for a fun sport to be on tv again, the NBA is finally back in town. With a lot of offseason changes and new faces, teams are ready to compete for a chip. But there still are individual awards to be given out at the end of the year. Let’s take a look at who my winners will be.

MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The man who is the current MVP of the 24-25 season, he had one of the most impressive seasons from a guard that we’ve ever had. It would definitely take a lot to outperform what he did last year. The Thunder do look like one of the main favorites to win again this year, so if they hold a top record again, and SGA goes to average 33-34 points with the same efficiency from last year, I wouldn’t doubt him to go back to back for MVP.

DPOY Victor Wembanyama

It feels like a no brainer with this one, Victor Wembenyama. One of the league’s best rim protectors, Wemby looks to finally win an award designed for someone his caliber. The stats he puts up are impossible to ignore, and he’ll definitely be the stocks leader again this year. With his imposing presence in the paint, I expect Wemby to lead a top 5-10 defense this year, and mark himself as the next DPOY.

ROTY Cooper Flagg

The league’s next generational talent has a lot on his shoulders for this upcoming season. Cooper Flagg is the betting favorite for this award and I’m willing to gamble on it. He’s the youngest in his class yet he looks the most ready to be a future star. Dallas has a great team built around Flagg to excel and showcase his abilities. Hopefully we get everything we’ve been waiting for and more from the #1 overall pick.

MIP Matas Buzelis

Being the most improved player of the league is a very tall task to fill. There’s so much talent that improves year by year, we are bound to see the next star take off. Matas Buzelis is a name to look for in the Most Improved Player race this season. A 6’10 wing who has all the tools to become Chicago’s saving grace. Post all-star break last season, he would average 13.4 ppg in only 26 minutes. If his usage can go up this season, his production is bound to sky rocket as well.

6MOY Nickeil Alexander-Walker

This award was definitely between NAW and Alex Caruso. But I’m going to lean towards Atlanta’s newest addition. For Minnesota, Alexander-Walker had impressive showings as he impressed a lot of teams this offseason. With this contract he just received, Alexander-Walker is going to be one of the more important players for this Hawks team, and he will have a great impact on their road to the playoffs.

COTY Jahmal Mosley

The Orlando Magic are a top 3 favorite in the East this season. Last season was pretty underwhelming due to injuries, but after acquiring star Desmond Bane, there’s a lot to look forward to in Orlando. I’m banking on this team to get at least 50 wins this season, and Jahmal Mosley to be the brain behind their success as well.

Final Thoughts

A lot of things can happen in this league, I do feel confident however in my choices. I’ve seen a lot of what these players can do and it’s the main reason for my selections. This season has potential to be one of the better years in basketball HOPEFULLY! Until then we have to watch boring football and baseball, just kidding.

Kevin Gonzalez

I know what you’re thinking: what’s the baseball guy doing writing about basketball? I was promised a raise if I “participated” more. So here it is: the most uneducated, chaotic, and probably slightly biased NBA award predictions you’ll ever read. Most likely, the part of the list casual fans will nod at… or roll their eyes.

MVP – Jalen Brunson

Think about it, but not too hard. Jalen has the keys to one of the most exciting teams in the NBA outside of the Thunder. He thrives under the mega spotlight of Madison Square Garden, which fits the NBA’s narrative of new faces stepping up. He’ll go bonkers, averaging something like 30/10/3, and in a nail-biting finish, edges out SGA in the epic Free Throw Battle of 2026.

DPOY – Herb Jones

The great Herbie, what can I say? This guy is special. He can guard 1 to 4, lock anyone down, and do it with style. Sure, maybe this is a little of the cult-fan pick in me, but this isn’t a joke. Bigs have dominated this award for too long. Let’s switch it up and give it to the guy who truly earns it by locking up everyone on the court.

ROTY – Walter Clayton Jr.

Okay, yes, I might be biased here. But the guy just won a national championship at the school I was born at. He’s a competitor, a real one, and he’ll steal the starting role in no time. Most of the other rookies in his class will underperform, but Clayton Jr.’s eat or be eaten attitude will put him above the rest and steal the show. Seriously, his energy, competitiveness, and killer instinct are exactly the type of rookie story voters eat up.

MIP – Patrick Williams

“This has to be the year” is the unofficial motto of fellow Chicagoans. Honestly, I had no idea who to put here, so why not lean into a dark horse? , but what’s more funny than throwing dark horse picks at the wall, throwing dark horse picks that completely miss the wall.

6MOY – Malik Monk

Back to reality. I love Malik, and he’s been close already. All he needs to do is kick it up a notch. This one’s basically a no brainer. Plus, if it makes you feel better, I think Sacramento plays a little better this season.

Coach of the Year – Quin Snyder

Full disclosure: one of my best friend’s dads looks exactly like Quin Snyder, and honestly, that’s all the convincing I needed. But realistically, Snyder would need to get about 10 wins above projections, check the “redemption arc” box, and suddenly it’s a slam dunk. Literal and figurative.

Final Thoughts

I know what you’re thinking, again: “this guy thinks he’s funny.” But seriously, these are my picks, and I stand by them. If you don’t agree, no worries. I’ll just wait for baseball to start up again, or maybe write an inspiring piece about how my wife hates it when I leave the toilet seat up.