It is always extremely difficult to predict NBA awards because there are so many unpredictable factors. Which players get hurt? Which players overachieve or underachieve? Which teams play better than expected? Some awards are easier to pick, but it’s nearly impossible to select all of them right.
With this being said, here are my predictions for each award during the 2024-2025 NBA season.
Coach of the Year: Taylor Jenkins
If there is one award you should not take my word on, it’s this one. Last year, I picked Darvin Ham to win the award. My thought process was that the Lakers finished strong and made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2023, and it would carry over the year after. (I was wrong.)
However, I am very confident in the Grizzlies this year, and I am also confident in Taylor Jenkins. Everything went wrong with the Grizzlies last year and pretty much none of it was his fault. Between injuries to Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart, there was not much the Grizzlies could do.
With all of these guys coming back healthy, and with the addition of Zach Edey, I think they will be a top-four (or maybe even top-two) seed in the West. Jenkins already finished in the top two in Coach of the Year voting in 2022, and I think he will win it this year.
An interesting alignment from last nights Grizzlies game.
HC Taylor Jenkins placing Edey in the strong-side corner, pulling opposing C out of paint & forcing a smaller player to tag the roller (Williams does well though).
Loved the cut from Edey at the end, shaping to the ball. pic.twitter.com/Ko1J9H3M2o
— Jonathan Chen (@jonathancchenn) October 13, 2024
Rookie of the Year: Zach Edey
Speaking of the Grizzlies, I have Zach Edey winning Rookie of the Year. I am not only predicting this, but I am rooting for it. So many draft guys and podcasters (including Draymond Green) constantly bashed the guy while he was in college and talked about how he was “the most obvious bust ever.”
Not that this matters (at all, really), but he has looked great in the preseason. Even if he does not have the best career out of his draft class, I think he will have the best rookie season.
Most Improved Player: Cade Cunnigham
This one feels far-fetched, but I feel like being bold for this award. It is easily the most unpredictable award because it usually goes to someone who turns into an All-Star when the general public least expects it.
However, there seems to have been a shift in the past couple of seasons. Ja Morant won in 2022, and the honor went to Tyrese Maxey last year. These are both players who were already good, but just jumped to the All-Star (or, in Morant’s case, All-NBA) level.
Cunnigham will have an All-Star-esque season, which is a big jump from where he is now. Many disagree with this, but the reality is that he has not been an All-Star-caliber player yet. Everyone knows he has potential, though, and I think this is the year he makes that jump.
Cade Cunningham’s last 10 games:
28.7 PTS — #6 in NBA
4.4 REB
8.1 AST — #9 in NBA
3.4 TO — #10 in NBA
1.2 STL
53% FG | 37% 3P | 84% FTHe’s well and truely taken a LEAP. pic.twitter.com/WDfxBYPC3x
— Jack Kelly (@pistons_jack) January 6, 2024
Sixth Man of the Year: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
I’m feeling bold again, because why not?
Jaquez had an awesome rookie season, and I don’t see why he can’t get even better with how many reps he’s going to get this year. Plus, the Heat’s expectations are lower than they’ve been in about three years.
If Miami finishes as a top-five seed with Jaquez contributing at a high level, he is going to have a great case.
Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo
In my opinion, the three best defenders in the league are Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert, and Adebayo. It is wild that neither Davis nor Adebayo has won a DPOY yet, but I think the latter gets it this year.
People have been joking around on X that Adebayo is going to get the “Joel Embiid treatment” and voters will vote for him to stop complaining. While there might be some truth to that, I think he will win this award deservingly. He is not an elite rim defender, but he is probably the most switchable defender in the league not named Anthony Davis.
I think the Heat will be a solid defensive team, which will lead to Adebayo winning the award.
Paul Pierce on Bam Adebayo defensive versatility:
“Bam Adebayo – you can put him on anybody. He can switch on the point guard, he’ll be physical with your big. He’s probably the most versatile defender in the league.” 😤
via @allthesmokeprod pic.twitter.com/70aRzDjsoi
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) October 20, 2024
Most Valuable Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo
It feels like so many people forgot about Antetokounmpo. Just because he hasn’t played many playoff games in the past couple of years doesn’t mean he can’t be considered a top-two player in the league.
The Bucks had a lot going against them last year. Between trading Jrue Holiday a week before training camp, Damian Lillard having debatably his worst season since his rookie year, firing their head coach midseason, and their two stars going down before the playoffs, everything went wrong. With all that said, despite everything that went wrong, they still finished as the No. 3 seed.
Am I saying everything is going to be fine and dandy this year? Of course not. But far more should go their way. I think they finish as a top-two seed in the East, and Antetokounmpo will have his best season since he won the title.
Conclusion
I spoke more in detail with the host of the “Creator’s Hour,” Orry B, aka Hoop Social. Tune in for some different perspectives:
Main Image Credit:
