The NBA recently announced the finalists for its seven main individual awards for the 2025 season, such as MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year.
Following a regular season where several award races were tightly contested and some, like ROY and DPOY, were impacted by injuries, we gathered our NBA experts to share their predictions among the top three finalists for each honor.
Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder win his first MVP award, or can Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets secure his fourth MVP in five years after a strong finish to the season?
With San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, who was previously a strong contender, missing time due to injury, the race for Defensive Player of the Year is now between finalists Draymond Green, Evan Mobley, and Dyson Daniels.
Let`s dive into our panel`s predictions for each award, from MVP to Clutch Player of the Year.
MVP
Finalists:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Expert Picks:
- 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
- Michael C. Wright: Jokic
Defensive Player of the Year
Finalists:
- Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
- Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Expert Picks:
- 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
- Michael C. Wright: Mobley
Rookie of the Year
Finalists:
- Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
- Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
- Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Expert Picks:
- 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
- Michael C. Wright: Castle
Most Improved Player
Finalists:
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
- Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers
Expert Picks:
- 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
- Michael C. Wright: Zubac
Sixth Man of the Year
Finalists:
- Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons
- Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
Expert Picks:
- 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
- Michael C. Wright: Pritchard
Coach of the Year
Finalists:
- Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
- J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
- Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
Expert Picks:
- 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
- Michael C. Wright: Bickerstaff
Clutch Player of the Year
Finalists:
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Expert Picks:
- 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
- Michael C. Wright: Brunson