The final 10 days of the NBA regular season are filled with competition for playoff spots and lottery positions. This period is also traditionally dedicated to lobbying for end-of-season awards.
Players, coaches, and teams are actively promoting their candidates for the league`s top individual honors, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
We recently discussed the MVP race, revealing the final straw poll for the 2024-25 season, which showed Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic for a potential first MVP award. Jokic aims for his fourth MVP in five years, a feat achieved only by LeBron James and Bill Russell.
But what about the other three awards? The races for these remain open with several strong contenders. In our weekly NBA analysis, we delve into each award race and share insights from league sources on who might take home the honors.
Award Race Focus:
Defensive Player of the Year
Rookie of the Year
Coach of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year Candidates
Analysis: Initially, it seemed like San Antonio Spurs` Victor Wembanyama was poised to win multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards, following his runner-up finish to Rudy Gobert last year. However, Wembanyama`s season was unfortunately shortened in February due to a deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder, opening up the race.
Now, several players are in contention, including Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, as well as perimeter defenders Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort.
Perspective: For Mobley and Jackson, winning this award could have financial implications. If either player is named Defensive Player of the Year or makes an All-NBA team, they would qualify for a significant salary increase. For Mobley, it could boost his rookie extension by millions, and Jackson could become eligible for a supermax contract, potentially facilitating a long-term extension with the Grizzlies this summer. Jackson can become a free agent in 2026. Memphis`s trade of Marcus Smart also provides salary cap flexibility to renegotiate and extend Jackson`s contract if he doesn`t achieve supermax status.
Financial aspects aside, both are strong candidates. Jackson, the 2023 winner, is arguably having his best season, while Mobley has shown considerable improvement in his fourth year.
`When we face Cleveland, our primary focus is to draw Mobley away from the basket because he causes significant problems,` noted an Eastern Conference GM. `He`s a force.`
`Evan`s impact is immense,` another executive commented. `He is a crucial element of their defense. He truly embodies a defensive MVP.`
Analysis: Green, the 2017 recipient, has strengthened his candidacy recently, partly due to Golden State`s improved standing. (Green also actively promotes his own case on his podcast and in media appearances.)
Daniels, since joining from the New Orleans Pelicans in the Dejounte Murray trade, has been a standout. He is on track to achieve the highest steals per game average since John Stockton in 1988-89. His ability to intercept passes and disrupt plays is a key focus for opposing teams in their game planning.
`If you have possession of the ball, you want to move away from [Daniels],` an East assistant coach stated. `NBA defense is incredibly challenging, especially guarding without physical contact. His defensive ability is very impressive.`
Perspective: Dort, the Oklahoma City defensive specialist, consistently guards the opponent`s top perimeter players for the league`s best defensive team. OKC`s defensive rating of 105.9 is the best since the 2019-20 Bucks and among the best in NBA history relative to the league average. A significant part of this success is attributed to Dort`s effectiveness in disrupting top scorers nightly.
`Dort is like a shutdown cornerback,` a veteran scout observed. `Similar to Deion Sanders, his stats may not be huge because he effectively neutralizes players. Dort can take top scorers out of their rhythm.`
`The average fan outside Oklahoma might not recognize Lu,` another scout mentioned. `But trust me, I`ve seen him frustrate All-Stars.`
Rookie of the Year Contenders
Perspective: This rookie class hasn`t been particularly sensational so far, and the Rookie of the Year award race is genuinely competitive. Coaches, scouts, and executives suggest it`s primarily between guard Stephon Castle, the No. 4 pick by the San Antonio Spurs, and forward Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 pick by the Hawks.
Castle has been the betting favorite, especially with increased playing time due to starting point guard De`Aaron Fox`s injury. He has posted strong stats, averaging 17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists since the All-Star break, though his shooting percentages, particularly from three-point range, have declined.
`This feels similar to [2014] when Michael Carter-Williams won Rookie of the Year, largely based on high counting stats,` a scout commented. `Castle has had impressive moments and leads in stats.`
Analysis: Castle stood out during All-Star weekend, winning the Rising Stars MVP and finishing as runner-up in the dunk contest. As noted, he has capitalized on the absences of Fox and Wembanyama, handling the ball more and putting up significant numbers.
Risacher, meanwhile, has steadily improved for the Hawks over the past few months.
His season averages—12.4 points on 44.9% shooting and 34.5% from three—are not overwhelming. (His scoring average would be the fourth lowest for a Rookie of the Year in the shot clock era.) However, since January 1, Risacher has averaged 13.7 points on 48.8% shooting and 39.2% from three, playing meaningful minutes for a playoff-contending team.
`Risacher has contributed to a team likely heading to the postseason,` an executive stated. `He deserves recognition for that.`
Perspective: Washington Wizards big man Alex Sarr and Miami Heat center Kel`el Ware were also praised by scouts, executives, and GMs. Raptors second-round pick Jamal Shead was mentioned, though not as a serious contender for the award.
`He won`t be in Rookie of the Year or DPOY discussions, but if you`re writing about either, Shead from Toronto deserves mention,` a scout said. `He`s an excellent on-ball defender, though not a strong shooter, but his footwork is exceptional.`
Analysis: Similar to Defensive Player of the Year, this award might have been decided earlier if Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain hadn`t suffered a season-ending meniscus tear in December, after averaging 15.3 points and shooting 38.3% from three (further highlighting Philadelphia`s challenging season).
An assistant coach added that if Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard had been drafted by another team, he would be a strong contender. However, due to Houston`s depth, Sheppard has only played in 47 NBA games, with G League stints. The assistant pointed to Sheppard`s 25-point game against Oklahoma City as evidence of his potential as the No. 3 pick.
Coach of the Year Candidates
Analysis: Each year, several coaches are deserving of this award, and this season is no different. The fact that one top candidate (Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson) replaced another (Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff) last summer adds complexity to this race.
Perspective: Atkinson has guided the Cavaliers to an impressive season, leading the Eastern Conference for much of the year, making him a frontrunner for Coach of the Year for months. However, within the league, there`s growing support for Bickerstaff, as the Pistons have drastically improved from a 14-win season to potentially securing a top-6 playoff spot.
`How can you not give it to J.B.?` a general manager questioned. `That team lost 28 straight games last year. … They`ve improved the roster and Cade [Cunningham] has progressed, but J.B. deserves significant credit.`
Atkinson, however, has elevated Cleveland to a new level, exceeding preseason expectations.
`Kenny has maximized the potential of nearly everyone on their roster,` a coach remarked. `He has optimized their performance through his strategy and system. That`s the hallmark of excellent coaching.`
Analysis: Meanwhile, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has led his team to a 64-12 record after a win against Bickerstaff`s Pistons, with a chance to become the third team in NBA history to win 70 games. (Phil Jackson and Steve Kerr previously won the award when their teams broke the 70-win barrier.)
`Why isn`t Mark Daigneault seriously considered for Coach of the Year?` a team president wondered. `They`re on track to win 69 or 70 games.`
