As the NBA regular season nears its end, teams are fiercely competing for playoff spots and lottery positions. However, this crucial period also marks the start of the awards season, where players, coaches, and teams actively campaign for the league`s most prestigious individual accolades.
While the MVP race has been closely followed, the Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards remain highly contested. League insiders are offering their perspectives on these three races, predicting who might take home the hardware.
Defensive Player of the Year Candidates
Bontemps: Initially, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs was expected to dominate the Defensive Player of the Year award for years to come. However, his season was unfortunately cut short due to injury. This has opened up the field for other contenders.
Several players are now in the running, including prominent big men like Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors. Perimeter defenders such as Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks and Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder are also generating buzz.
Windhorst: For Mobley and Jackson, winning this award could have significant financial implications, potentially leading to substantial contract raises. Beyond the financial aspect, both are deserving candidates. Jackson, a past winner in 2023, is arguably having a career-best season, while Mobley has shown remarkable improvement in his fourth year.
An Eastern Conference GM noted Mobley`s defensive dominance, stating, “When we play Cleveland, our top priority is to draw Mobley away from the basket because he creates significant problems.” Another executive emphasized Mobley`s overall defensive impact, calling him “a driving force for their entire defense” and “the definition of a defensive MVP.”
Bontemps: Draymond Green, the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, has seen his candidacy gain momentum recently, coinciding with Golden State`s improved performance. His vocal advocacy for himself in the media also plays a role.
Dyson Daniels has emerged as a standout defender since joining the Atlanta Hawks. His exceptional steal rate and disruptive defensive presence have become a key focus for opposing teams in game planning.
An Eastern Conference assistant coach highlighted Daniels` defensive skill, saying, “If someone is handling the ball, you want to get it out of their hands when Daniels is guarding. Defending in the NBA is incredibly challenging, and his ability to guard effectively without fouling is truly impressive.”
Windhorst: Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder is another strong contender. He consistently defends the opponent`s top offensive threat, contributing significantly to the Thunder`s league-leading defense. Their defensive rating is historically impressive.
A veteran scout likened Dort to a “shutdown cornerback,” explaining that his impact goes beyond statistics: “Like Deion Sanders, Dort doesn`t always have huge stats, but he effectively takes top scorers out of the game.” Another scout added, “Dort might not be widely recognized, but he consistently frustrates even All-Star players.”
Rookie of the Year Race
Windhorst: This rookie class is considered less sensational overall, making the Rookie of the Year race a genuine competition rather than a foregone conclusion. League sources suggest it’s primarily between Stephon Castle, the Spurs` No. 4 pick, and Zaccharie Risacher, the Hawks` No. 1 pick.
Castle has been the betting favorite, especially with increased playing time due to injuries on the Spurs roster. He has posted strong scoring, rebounding, and assist numbers since the All-Star break, though his shooting efficiency has declined.
One scout drew a parallel to the 2014 Rookie of the Year race, stating, “This feels similar to when Michael Carter-Williams won based largely on counting stats. Castle is putting up the best numbers and has had impressive moments.”
Bontemps: Castle`s All-Star weekend performance, including the Rising Stars MVP award and a dunk contest runner-up finish, strengthens his case. He has capitalized on increased opportunities to showcase his abilities.
Zaccharie Risacher has quietly improved for the Hawks over recent months. While his season averages are not overwhelming, his performance since January 1st shows significant progress in scoring efficiency and three-point shooting, all while contributing to a playoff-contending team.
An executive commented, “Risacher is contributing to a team likely headed to the postseason. He deserves recognition for that.”
Windhorst: Alex Sarr of the Washington Wizards and Kel`el Ware of the Miami Heat were also praised by league insiders. Jamal Shead of the Raptors, while not a top contender, was highlighted as a noteworthy defensive rookie.
A scout commended Shead`s defensive prowess: “He won’t be in Rookie of the Year contention, but Shead from Toronto deserves mention. He`s an exceptional on-ball defender, incredibly quick on his feet, though his shooting needs development.”
Bontemps: Similar to the Defensive Player of the Year race, the Rookie of the Year award might have been settled earlier if Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers hadn`t suffered a season-ending injury after a strong start to the season. Another assistant coach suggested that Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets would be a strong contender on a different team, but limited playing time due to Houston`s depth has impacted his candidacy.
Coach of the Year Discussion
Bontemps: Every year, numerous coaches are deserving of the Coach of the Year award, and this season is no different. The coaching change in Cleveland, where Kenny Atkinson replaced J.B. Bickerstaff, adds an intriguing layer to this year`s race.
Windhorst: Kenny Atkinson has guided the Cavaliers to an exceptional season, maintaining a leading position in the Eastern Conference. He has been a frontrunner for Coach of the Year for months. However, there`s growing support within the league for J.B. Bickerstaff, given the Detroit Pistons` remarkable turnaround from a historically poor season to playoff contention.
One general manager questioned, “How can you overlook J.B.? That team had a 28-game losing streak last season. While roster improvements and Cade Cunningham`s development are factors, Bickerstaff deserves significant credit.”
Atkinson, however, has elevated the Cavaliers to new heights, exceeding preseason expectations.
A coach remarked, “Kenny has maximized the potential of nearly every player on their roster through his strategies and system. That’s the hallmark of outstanding coaching.”
Bontemps: Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder is another compelling candidate. His team`s impressive record, putting them in contention for a 70-win season, is remarkable. Historically, coaches who led teams to 70-win seasons have won Coach of the Year.
A team president questioned, “Why isn`t Mark Daigneault a stronger contender? They are on track to win close to 70 games.”