The NBA recently announced the finalists for its seven major individual honors. With several award races coming down to the wire at the end of the regular season, and some heavily influenced by player injuries, our panel of NBA experts shares their picks from the top three finalists in each category.
A key question is whether Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will earn his first MVP award, or if Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic can secure his fourth in five seasons with a strong late-season push. For Defensive Player of the Year, the race became more open after San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was sidelined due to a shoulder issue. Our experts predict who among Draymond Green, Evan Mobley, and Dyson Daniels has the edge.
Below are our panel`s selections, starting with the MVP and concluding with the Clutch Player of the Year award.
MVP
Finalists
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Chris Herring: Gilgeous-Alexander
Tim MacMahon: Gilgeous-Alexander
Bobby Marks: Gilgeous-Alexander
Dave McMenamin: Gilgeous-Alexander
Kevin Pelton: Gilgeous-Alexander
Ramona Shelburne: Gilgeous-Alexander
André Snellings: Jokic
Marc J. Spears: Gilgeous-Alexander
Jeremy Woo: Jokic
Defensive Player of the Year
Finalists
- Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
- Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Chris Herring: Daniels
Tim MacMahon: Mobley
Bobby Marks: Daniels
Dave McMenamin: Daniels
Ramona Shelburne: Green
André Snellings: Green
Marc J. Spears: Green
Jeremy Woo: Mobley
Rookie of the Year
Finalists
- Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
- Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
- Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Chris Herring: Castle
Tim MacMahon: Castle
Bobby Marks: Risacher
Dave McMenamin: Castle
Kevin Pelton: Wells
Ramona Shelburne: Castle
André Snellings: Castle
Marc J. Spears: Castle
Jeremy Woo: Risacher
Most Improved Player
Finalists
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
- Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers
Chris Herring: Zubac
Tim MacMahon: Zubac
Bobby Marks: Daniels
Dave McMenamin: Zubac
Kevin Pelton: Cunningham
Ramona Shelburne: Zubac
André Snellings: Zubac
Marc J. Spears: Daniels
Jeremy Woo: Zubac
Sixth Man of the Year
Finalists
- Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons
- Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
Chris Herring: Pritchard
Tim MacMahon: Beasley
Bobby Marks: Pritchard
Dave McMenamin: Pritchard
Kevin Pelton: Pritchard
Ramona Shelburne: Beasley
André Snellings: Beasley
Marc J. Spears: Pritchard
Jeremy Woo: Pritchard
Coach of the Year
Finalists
- Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
- J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
- Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
Chris Herring: Atkinson
Tim MacMahon: Bickerstaff
Bobby Marks: Bickerstaff
Dave McMenamin: Atkinson
Kevin Pelton: Atkinson
Ramona Shelburne: Bickerstaff
André Snellings: Atkinson
Marc J. Spears: Bickerstaff
Jeremy Woo: Atkinson
Clutch Player of the Year
Finalists
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Chris Herring: Brunson
Bobby Marks: Brunson
Dave McMenamin: Jokic
Kevin Pelton: Brunson
Ramona Shelburne: Edwards
André Snellings: Jokic
Marc J. Spears: Edwards
Jeremy Woo: Brunson