NBA 2025-26 Award Predictions

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With preseason games starting to take place, the 2025-26 NBA season is under 20 days away. The 2025 offseason saw plenty of movement and change across the league, leaving many questions for the season ahead. With the 2025-26 season set to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, the same cannot be said for the award winners.

Wilt Chamberlain Trophy / Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg

The 2025 NBA Draft class has always been focused on Cooper Flagg. The first overall draft pick by the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg has landed in the best situation to grow quickly and win. In his single season with the Duke Blue Devils, Flagg would average 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.4 BPG, leading the team in all five statistical categories. He would shoot 48% from the field and 38% from three.

Joining a Mavs team that includes veterans Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving (who signed a new three-year, $$119$ million deal and is predicted to be back around midseason 2026 from a torn ACL), and Klay Thompson, Dallas is expected to be a playoff lock. For Flagg, he is expected to have the ball in his hands from opening night, being a part of the starting lineup alongside players like D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis. Most projections for Flagg’s rookie season stats are in the range of 14-17 points, 5-7 rebounds, and 3-4 assists per game, with strong defensive numbers (around 1.1-1.7 steals and 1.0-1.5 blocks). Via BetMGM, Flagg is the overwhelming favorite to win ROY, with the Washington Wizards’ Tre Johnson and Philadelphia 76ers’ V.J. Edgecombe having the second and third best odds, respectively.

Jerry West Trophy / Clutch Player of the Year: Nikola Jokic

Last season, several teams would play over 30 clutch games, including the Denver Nuggets. Their leader, Nikola Jokic, would play 33 clutch games, averaging 4.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG, and 1.1 APG in just four clutch minutes per game. In the 33 clutch games he played, Jokic would lead the Nuggets to a 19-14 record. Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Nuggets are once again in true championship contention in a stacked Western Conference.

Over the last two seasons, Jokic has been recognized for his performance in the clutch, finishing fourth in Clutch Player of the Year voting in 2024 and finishing as the runner-up to Jalen Brunson in 2025. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Nikola Jokic is currently tied for the second-best odds with last year’s winner, Jalen Brunson, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards currently has the best odds to win the award.

Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy / Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama

If the NBA had not created a limit for games played for award eligibility, the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year conversation would have gone much differently. From the beginning of the season, many had predicted San Antonio Spurs sophomore Victor Wembanyama to win the award. Before being sidelined for the rest of the season with deep vein thrombosis, Wembanyama was averaging 11.0 RPG, a league-leading 3.8 BPG, and 1.1 SPG across 46 games. Wembanyama would fall short of the NBA’s newly implemented 65 games played minimum requirement for reward eligibility.

Heading into the 2025-26 season, Wembanyama has looked to increase his size and focus as the Spurs move closer to playoff contention. Cleared to play, Wembanyama is expected to be right at the front of the DPOY conversation. If he meets or exceeds the 65 games played minimum requirement, he may run away with the award, as his odds are currently as short as -180. BetMGM currently has Victor Wembanyama as the overwhelming favorite to win the award. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren (+650 odds) has the second-best odds, and last year’s winner, Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley (+1200 odds), has the third-best odds.

George Mikan Trophy / Most Improved Player: Andrew Nembhard

After years of the Most Improved Player award going to those reaching an All-Star level, the award shifted back to its historical roots in 2025. Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels would win the award, jumping from 5.8 PPG to 14.1 PPG. For the second year in a row, the MIP award has a strong chance of going to another breakout player, this time in Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard. Last season, Nembhard averaged a career-high 10.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 5.0 APG in 65 games. Nembhard would see a slight increase in his stats during the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals, where he averaged 11.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals on 46.6% from the field and 42.3% from three.

With the loss of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton to an Achilles tear, the Pacers will be without their star guard for the entire season, likely giving Nembhard the starting point guard spot. For Nembhard, the Pacers’ starting guard slot gives him the chance to take his game to the next level. Betting odds have Nembhard with the second-best odds to win the award, with Portland’s Deni Avdija and Chicago’s Matas Buzelis in front of and behind him.

Coach of the Year: Jamahl Mosley

With there being multiple questions for the 2025-26 season, numerous names could be in contention for the 2026 Coach of the Year. One name to look out for is Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. Entering his fifth season as head coach of the Magic, Mosley has had the team on an upward path. From his first season leading the Magic to a 22-60 record in 2022 to 47-35 in 2024, the team has seen constant growth. Last season, the Magic would fall to 41-41 due to numerous injuries to players, including Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, affecting team chemistry and consistency. The team was still able to squeeze into the playoffs despite the injuries.

With the additions of Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones and questions at the top of the Eastern Conference, Mosley has an open opportunity to load a healthy Magic team towards the top of the conference and into the playoffs. For Mosley, winning Coach of the Year would pay off years of growth and development with the Magic. Mosley currently has the best odds to win the award, with the Atlanta Hawks’ Quin Snyder closely behind him, having a playoff-caliber roster heading into next season.

John Havlicek Trophy / Sixth Man of the Year: Payton Pritchard

Last season was a breakout year for Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard. He would play 80 games last season, only starting three games. In those 80 games, Pritchard would average a career-high 14.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 3.5 APG on shooting splits of 47% from the field and 40% from three. Pritchard would be Boston’s best option coming off the bench as the team won over 60 games. Pritchard’s performance off the bench would land him the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year award.

Heading into the 2025-26 season, Pritchard’s role off the bench is only going to grow. With the Celtics losing Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles tendon in the second round last season and Tatum stating he will not be out there to start the 2025-26 season and is focused on a “full recovery,” Boston is going to need to make up for Tatum’s scoring. With a starting lineup likely featuring Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta, Pritchard will be the first player off the bench and will likely get more time with the lack of depth. Betting odds have Pritchard repeating with Cleveland’s DeAndre Hunter and 2024 Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid behind Pritchard with the next best odds.

Michael Jordan Trophy / Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokic

Last season saw what was a two-man race for the Most Valuable Player award. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would have a career year, while Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic would somehow have another dominant season, averaging a triple-double. SGA would win his first MVP award while Jokic would finish as runner-up, while also finishing top two in voting for the fifth season in a row. While SGA and the Thunder are still going to be a dominant team heading into next season, the same can be said for Jokic and the Nuggets.

For Jokic, he is expected to have another dominant season alongside the Nuggets, who added several championship-caliber players. This upcoming season, oddsmakers see another close race between Jokic and SGA. Oddsmakers currently give SGA the best odds to win the award, with Jokic and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic tied with the second-best odds to win the award.