Way Too Early NBA Award Predictions

This off-season was one of the most exciting in history as multiple big-name players were shuffled around. We saw the Minnesota Timberwolves add experienced players in Jimmy Butler and Jeff Teague and the Oklahoma City Thunder get All-Stars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony for role players. The Cavs also got some steals by acquiring veteran Dwayne Wade and former MVP Derrick Rose as their backup point guard.

And of course, there was the blockbuster Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade, and the Celtics have paired up Kyrie with Gordon Hayward. There were countless players switching jerseys as more and more teams are trying to build super-teams like the Golden State Warriors have. Super-team or not, every organization is going to be gunning for the championship trophy, and every player is going to be eyeing these awards.

Most Valuable Player: Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard has proven himself to be a superstar, keeping the San Antonio Spurs a contender year in and year out. Averaging 25.5 points and almost two steals, he showed himself as a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the court and helped the Spurs get the second seed last season. With no other superstars on the team, he will have free reign much like Westbrook did last season, and because the Spurs will rely on him heavily, he will win MVP.

Rookie of the Year: Dennis Smith Jr.

Dennis Smith Jr. has an immense amount of natural talent with his explosive driving and finishing ability that I would compare to Westbrook’s. He also has a decent shot at 36 percent from the three-point range. He displayed his skills by averaging 18 points in the Atlantic Coast Conference and being named ACC Freshman of the year in his one year at NC State. But the biggest advantage he has over his competitors, like favorites Lonzo Ball and Jayson Tatum, is that he is playing on a team without any young talent to carry the team forward. Instead, the Mavericks have seasoned veterans like JJ Barea and Dirk Nowitzki that can help him improve his game. He is a dark horse, but he has enough talent and will receive enough playing time to win the ROTY race.

Most Improved Player: Myles Turner

Though the Indiana Pacers might lose more games this season than last year, Myles Turner will have a chance to improve his stats. He averaged 14.5 points on 51 percent shooting on a team with Paul George. He has a nice jumper and can play the pick and roll well, so with George gone, he can flourish on a team where he is the primary offensive option. All of his numbers will go up, giving him a chance to steal the MIP award from some of the bigger names.

Sixth Man of the Year: Derrick Rose

Yes, I think that the former MVP will be the best bench player in the NBA. It is safe to assume that Rose will become the backup point guard as soon as Isaiah Thomas is healthy, who has a hip injury and is likely to return by December. A seasoned player who was MVP not too long ago and averaged a respectable 18 points and four assists on a dysfunctional Knicks organization is sure to produce efficiently for the Cavaliers. He is, hands down, the best bench player in the league and will prove that this upcoming season.

Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green

Green is one of the essential pieces of the Warriors. His most important asset is that he can run the floor and guard all five positions as a big man and does it with a force that can even be over the top sometimes. He averaged 2.0 steals and 1.4 blocks last season and was first in Defensive box Plus-Minus and second in defensive win-shares. He is more well-rounded than his competitors and will bring the same intensity he brings every year.

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich

Coach “Pop” is one of the greatest coaches of all-time, with a streak of 20 consecutive winning seasons. He creates a great locker room environment for his players and runs a spaced out offense that gets every player involved. This type of offense led the San Antonio Spurs to 61 wins, clinching the second seed in the West with only one All Star on his team. He has a defense-first mindset that had the Spurs ranking third in defense last year. This year, his team has added Rudy Gay and still has veterans like Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol. His emphasis on defense with a solid offensive core will help the Spurs win and help Gregg Popovich claim Coach of the Year.