Predicting 2025-26 NBA Awards

Joel Piton
3 days ago
5 min read

by Joel Piton 10/3/2025 Sportz Nation

It’s tempting to believe that last year’s award winners will simply run it back and defend their crowns. After all, the NBA’s elite rarely let go of the spotlight without a fight. But the new season brings a fresh wave of storylines—key players are sidelined, rising stars are ready to break through, and the league’s trademark unpredictability is as strong as ever. In 2025–26, the race for hardware feels wide open, and every contender has something to prove.

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Clutch Player of the Year

Donovan Mitchell (CLE)

A fearless shot-maker built for pressure, Donovan Mitchell thrives when the game is on the line. The 6’3” guard shot a career-best 46% from the field in fourth quarters last season, proving his ability to rise in the toughest moments. His late-game scoring bursts often swung momentum for Cleveland, and he fueled the Cavs to a dominant 64–18 record. Whether it’s hitting contested jumpers, attacking the rim, or simply refusing to back down, Mitchell embodies what it means to be clutch—making him the clear potential choice for this award.

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Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year

Mike Conley (MIN)

A two-time recipient already, Mike Conley continues to set the gold standard for professionalism in the NBA. Now entering his 18th season, his longevity isn’t by chance. It’s a reflection of the respect he’s earned as both a steady floor general and a selfless teammate. Conley’s reputation as a calming locker room presence and model leader makes him exactly the type of player this award was designed for. Don’t be surprised if, one day, the NBA renames the Sportsmanship Award in his honor.

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Coach of the Year

Mark Daigneault (OKC)

At just 40, Mark Daigneault has already cemented himself as one of the league’s brightest young minds. Though still relatively new to the head coaching spotlight, his roots with the Thunder go back to 2014, and his commitment to player development has been the foundation of Oklahoma City’s rise. Already a one-time recipient of this award, Daigneault guided a star-studded Thunder roster to the 2025 NBA title, proving he can translate growth into results. While repeating as champion is never guaranteed, one thing is certain—Daigneault will get the absolute best out of his players and make life difficult for every opponent that crosses OKC’s path.

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Sixth Man of the Year

Jared McCain (PHI)

In just 23 games of professional action, Jared McCain showed flashes of being a microwave scorer, averaging 15 points on an efficient 46% shooting. That kind of production from a 20-year-old rookie guard is no small feat—and it’s downright scary to think about what’s ahead. While injuries slowed his momentum, the Sixers remain confident that with Tyrese Maxey firmly entrenched as the starter, McCain can thrive in a spark-plug role off the bench. If he stays healthy and finds his rhythm, McCain has all the tools to seize this award and become one of the league’s most exciting young sixth men.

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Rookie of the Year

Cooper Flagg (DAL)

At 6’9”, Cooper Flagg enters the league as a rare guard-forward hybrid with an offensive arsenal well beyond his years. From silky dribble pull-ups and smooth midrange jumpers to limitless range from three and highlight-reel dunks, there isn’t much Flagg can’t do with the ball in his hands. What makes him even more dangerous is his two-way potential—his defensive instincts and production at the NCAA level suggest he’ll make an immediate impact on both ends. Simply put, Flagg has the talent to be a franchise-changing player, and he’s poised to make a statement from day one. Expect him to be a nightmare matchup and a strong frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.

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Most Improved Player

Amen Thompson (HOU)

Few young players have the raw athletic gifts that Amen Thompson brings to the floor. Former All-Star Jeff Teague even went as far as to call him the most athletic player in NBA history—and it shows. At 6’7”, Thompson’s elite speed, agility, and explosiveness make him a terror in transition and nearly impossible to keep away from the rim. Defensively, he’s a rare talent capable of guarding all five positions, giving Houston a lethal weapon. The one missing piece has always been his jumper—but reports out of the offseason suggest real progress. If Thompson adds even a reliable midrange or three-point shot to his game, don’t just pencil him in for Most Improved Player—start talking about his path to becoming an All-Star.

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Defensive Player of the Year

Victor Wembanyama (SAS)

While Evan Mobley claimed the award last season, Victor Wembanyama’s defensive impact was impossible to ignore. In fact, if Wemby had logged the same number of games as Mobley, the trophy might have already been his. Leading the league in blocks in back-to-back years at just 19 and 20 years old, Wembanyama has redefined rim protection. At 7’4” with lightning-quick feet, fast hands, and freakish agility, he alters nearly every shot in his vicinity—sending attempts into orbit whenever opponents dare enter the paint. Wemby isn’t just a shot-blocker; he’s a one-man defensive cheat code, and it feels inevitable that he’ll claim multiple All-Defensive Team honors over the next decade.

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Most Valuable Player

Nikola Jokic (DEN)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic campaign made him impossible to deny last season, but it’s hard to overlook just how special Nikola Jokic was in 2024–25. The 6’11” point-center became the first big man in NBA history to average 10 assists per game and just the third player ever to average a triple-double across an entire season. Even more impressive, Jokic elevated his scoring to nearly 30 points per night without sacrificing efficiency, playmaking, or impact in any other area. At 30 years old, the Nuggets’ superstar is still redefining what’s possible for a center, blending basketball with artistry in a way we’ve never seen before. A guaranteed Hall of Famer, Jokic isn’t just chasing another MVP—he’s changing the blueprint for the center position itself.

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At the end of the day, these are my picks—and as we all know, the NBA season is anything but predictable. Upsets, injuries, and shockers always find their way into the spotlight. Still, I’m holding out hope that at least one, and hopefully several, of these hot takes hit the mark and prove me right. Until then, it’s all speculation. So, how do my predictions stack up against yours? Drop us your thoughts, we’d love to see where you agree, and where you think I’ve gone completely off the rails.

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