The NBA Awards Voting Opens
The NBA has officially opened the voting process for the 2025-26 season awards, following a recent ruling that allowed both Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons to bypass the league’s 65-game participation requirement for individual accolades. This pivotal change paves the way for a comprehensive list of honors that encompasses key awards, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and others, alongside various All-NBA, All-Defense, and All-Rookie teams. Players and coaches have until 3 p.m. ET Friday to submit their votes.
MVP Selections
Taking a look at my selections for MVP, I’m placing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the top, echoing sentiments from ESPN’s final MVP straw poll of the season. Gilgeous-Alexander’s spectacular performance not only propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to an impressive 64 wins, but he also managed to maintain his individual excellence against a backdrop of injury challenges within the team. If he secures the trophy, he will join the ranks of multiple-time MVPs in NBA history.
In a tightly contested battle for the second MVP slot, Nikola Jokic competes against rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. Jokic achieved the remarkable feat of leading the league in both rebounds and assists per game while also racking up another triple-double season. Wembanyama, on the other hand, has made history by becoming the first player to post averages of 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000, and his on-court presence significantly benefitted the Spurs as evidenced by their plus-minus when he plays. Ultimately, I leaned towards Jokic due to his larger minutes played, which gives him a slight edge as a more valuable player.
With Doncic’s solid scoring stats—leading the league with 33.5 points per game and achieving a whopping 28 30-point games—and Cunningham facilitating Detroit’s resurgence, both have made compelling reassurances for themselves as frontrunners for the season’s ultimate awards.
Defensive Player of the Year
For the Defensive Player of the Year category, I am backing Victor Wembanyama, whose monumental return from a prior season’s injury has invigorated his potential as a top defender. Amidst his unrivaled block-leading status in the league, and a unique skillset not seen previously, he has certainly proven worthy. His competitors, Chet Holmgren and Rudy Gobert, also present strong cases, with Holmgren thriving as the centerpiece of a notable defense in Oklahoma City and Gobert significantly impacting the Timberwolves’ defensive efficiency.
Coach of the Year Candidates
Recognizing the best coaches is always a spirited discussion. This year, I looked closely at Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics, J.B. Bickerstaff of the Pistons, and Mitch Johnson of the Spurs, all of whom have crafted successful squads. Mazzulla, in particular, has effectively recalibrated the Celtics after the departure of key veterans, solidifying his claim for Coach of the Year by orchestrating a roster transformation following injuries to star player Jayson Tatum.
Top Rookie Selections
The debate extends into selecting the top rookies, with Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and VJ Edgecombe leading the charge on my list. Flagg’s all-around play, which mirrors that of Michael Jordan in his rookie season, combined with explosive scoring performances, solidified him as a frontrunner. Knueppel’s stellar performance in three-point shooting cannot be overlooked, and Edgecombe has swiftly captured a valuable role with the 76ers.
Conclusion
In summary, the path to the 2025-26 NBA awards highlights not just individual brilliance, but craft, strategy, and the undeniable impact of leadership within the teams. As we advance into the postseason, it’s clear that these players and coaches have scripted compelling narratives through their performances this season.
