NBA Swing: Award Predictions at the End of 2023

Read Time:8 Minute, 31 Second

The end of 2023 has come, and the NBA is deep into the 2023-24 season. Most teams have played around 30 games, just over a third of the season. With the halfway mark of the season right around the corner, there is a good feeling about who is going to be in contention for the 2023-24 awards.

Sixth Man of the Year: Tim Hardaway Jr.

When it comes to the Sixth Man award, the focus is mainly on the scoring that comes off the bench. Although he is second in off-the-bench scoring, Tim Hardaway Jr. has been one of the most impactful players off the bench. In his 25 games off the bench so far, Hardaway has averaged. 17.5 PPG, and 3.3 RPG. His presence off the bench has become more impactful during Kyrie Irving’s absence, giving Dallas a much-needed scoring boost off the bench.

In contention with Hardaway, Bogdan Bogdanovic is the current scoring leader off the bench, averaging 17.9 PPG, the most he’s averaged in three seasons. Unfortunately for Bogdanovic, the Atlanta Hawks have had a rough start to their season and much of the focus is on the struggling of the team and potential trades. In New York, Immanuel Quickley is once again in Sixth Man award contention. The 2022-23 runner-up is currently averaging 15.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 2.5 APG as he’s come off the bench in all 29 games he’s played so far this season.

Honorable Mentions: Bogdan Bogdanovic (ATL) Immanuel Quickley (NYK)

Coach of the Year: Chris Finch

There have been several surprising teams so far this season, but no team has been more surprising than the Minnesota Timberwolves. After an average 2022-23 season that saw the Wolves finish 42-40 and lose in the first round, Minnesota has been on a tear in the 2023-24 season. At the time of this writing, the Wolves sit at 23-7, holding the best record in the West and second-best record overall. Anthony Edwards has continued to blossom into a young superstar in the league while Karl Anthony-Towns has had a bounce-back year. Rudy Gobert has once again become a defensive monster again, leading the Wolves to the best defense in the league. All of this has been led by head coach Chris Finch. While it was expected that the Wolves would take a step after last season, no one could have predicted that they would be the best team in the West at the end of 2023.

While Finch has led his team to one of the best records in the league, several other coaches are in contention for the award as well. Joe Mazzulla has coached the Celtics to the best record in the East in his second season as Boston’s head coach. Another team that has taken a major step is the Oklahoma City Thunder. They were expected to take a leap after a strong finish last season, but no one expected they’d be near the top of the West. Mark Daigneault has been a key figure in their success, getting the best out of his young stars.

Honorable Mentions: Joe Mazzulla (BOS), Mark Daigneault (OKC)

Rookie of the Year: Chet Holmgren

One of the toughest award races of the 2023-24 season is the Rookie of the Year race. Many see this as a two or three-player race. Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs and Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Heat have been two of the best rookies in the league, but Oklahoma City Thunder Center Chet Holmgren barely stands above the two. In the 29 games he’s played so far, Holmgren has averaged 17.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.7 BPG, and 2.5 APG, all in starts. He is currently shooting an impressive 37% from beyond the arc as a center. While Victor Wembanyama is currently the leading scorer among all rookies, Holmgren has directly contributed to the Thunder’s 20-9 (second-best) record in the West. Some may argue that Holmgren should not be eligible for the award as he was drafted before last season, he had not played in an official NBA game until this preseason.

In San Antonio, it is clear Victor Wembanyama is a generational talent, but his body may not be 100% NBA-ready. Averaging 18.3 PPG, 10.6 RPG, and 3.0 BPG, Wemby has shown he will be one of the best players in the league soon. San Antonio has unfortunately struggled to a 5-25 record, the worst record in the West. Of those in the ROY race, Wemby is the biggest threat to Chet Holmgren to win the award. In Miami, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been a pleasant surprise, fitting right into the Heat Culture Miami is known for. In Miami, Jaquez has averaged 13.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 2.5 APG, but has been one of the most impactful people on the court, putting up 30 points against the Sixers on Christmas day win without Jimmy Butler. If there is a dark horse contender for ROY, it is Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Honorable Mentions: Victor Wembanyama (SAS), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA)

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert has been one of the most impactful players on the defensive end this season. After a rough 2022-23 season, Gobert has returned to DPOY form, averaging 12.0 RPG and 2.2 BPG. He has anchored the league’s best defense, leading to one of the best records in the league. While he’s taken a small back on the offensive end, he completely changes the game on the defensive end. This season, Gobert has averaged a defended field goal percentage of 43.8%, leading to a player defensive rating of 103.4.

In Los Angeles, Anthony Davis has been a dominant presence on the defensive end. Currently having a defensive rating of 107.5, Davis has the third-best individual defensive rating in the league. He leads the league in rebounds with 12.4. RPG and is fifth in blocks per game. In Miami, Bam Adebayo has been the key to the team’s top-10 defense. Adebayo has averaged 9.9 RPG, 1.0 BPG, and 1.1 SPG, leading the Heat in all three categories.

Honorable Mentions: Anthony Davis (LAL), Bam Adebayo (MIA)

Most Improved Player of the Year: Tyrese Maxey

The crazy start of the 2023-24 season has given plenty of opportunities for players to take the next step. No player has taken more advantage of the situation than Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyreese Maxey. When James Harden requested a trade, many sports media outlets and personalities argued that Philly would collapse if Maxey didn’t take the next step alongside Joel Embiid. When the season started, Maxey took advantage of Harden’s absence and eventual trade. After averaging 20.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 3.5 APG, Maxey has jumped up to 25.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 6.6 APG. He has taken the next step, quickly becoming the young star Joel Embiid needs beside him. Maxey has played a significant role in the Sixers’ 21-9 record. Joel Embiid cannot lead the Sixers alone, and Tyrese Maxey stepping up is the best thing that could’ve happened to the team.

In Brooklyn, Cam Thomas has become a key player for the Nets. Going from benching and DNPs last season, Thomas leads the Nets in scoring, jumping from around 10 PPG last season to over 22 PPG this season. He has started in all but two of the games he’s played so far this year, finally becoming the player that many saw glimpses of last season. In Chicago, Coby White has gone from a trade candidate to a key piece of the Bulls’ next era. With Zach Lavine and the Bulls agreeing to look for a new home for the guard and Lavine then sitting out due to an injury, White has blossomed into a top option for the Bulls. Averaging 23.4 PPG, 6.3 APG, and 5.8 RPG in the games Lavine has missed, White has quickly garnered attention from around the league as a player to watch for.

Honorable Mentions: Cam Thomas (BKN), Coby White (CHI)

Most Valuable Player of the Year: Joel Embiid

The 2023-24 MVP race may be one of the tightest races in years. Many of the players in contention over the last few years remain in contention while several young superstars have played their way into the race. In a trend the NBA has seen three times in the last nine seasons, the league may see its fourth back-to-back MVP. Joel Embiid continues to dominate as one of the best centers in the league. Currently averaging 35.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG, and 6.0 APG, Embiid has somehow gotten even better compared to his first MVP season. He currently leads the league in scoring and is on pace to be the league’s scoring champion for the third season in a row. Embiid has continued to show he is one of the best players in the entire league, leading the Sixers to the third-best record in the East.

Joel Embiid has more competition than ever for the MVP award. Nikola Jokic continues to be one of the best players in the league, if not the best, as he continues to lead the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Giannis Antetokounmpo is having another strong season in Milwaukee, with the addition of Damian Lillard taking some of the load off. In Boston, Jayson Tatum is leading the Celtics to the best record in the league while Luka Doncic continues to get even better down in Dallas. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is another star leading the young Thunder to one of the best records in the West. While the MVP race can change at any time, Embiid is slowly increasing the distance between him and everyone else in contention.

Honorable Mentions: Nikola Jokic (DEN), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Luka Doncic (DAL)