NBA Awards 2025: Final Vote

Most Valuable Player

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

5. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Each season presents several deserving MVP candidates, and this year`s competition was incredibly tight until the very end between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, arguably the league`s top two players, both of whom had phenomenal seasons.

The Thunder, propelled by Gilgeous-Alexander`s league-leading 32.7 points per game with a 51.9% field goal percentage, became only the seventh team in NBA history to achieve at least 68 wins. Jokic, meanwhile, delivered a historically impressive statistical season, ranking in the top three for points (29.6), rebounds (12.7), and assists (10.2) while shooting 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range – truly remarkable numbers.

Interestingly, while deliberating between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic in recent weeks, a quote from former Nuggets coach Michael Malone resonated with me. `If you were unaware that Nikola had already won three MVPs, and I presented Player A and Player B on paper… he would win unanimously,` Malone stated last month.

`And if anyone disagrees, they are mistaken.`

Malone`s viewpoint was certainly valid. However, to secure a fourth MVP award in five years – a feat only accomplished by LeBron James and Bill Russell – Jokic needed to perform exceptionally. And he did.

Yet, if the race is as close as most media members, players, coaches, and executives believe, the advantage should lean towards the leader of what is arguably the most dominant regular-season team in NBA history.

The Thunder set a new record for point differential, outscoring opponents by over 1,000 points and by 12.7 points per 100 possessions. They achieved 68 wins in a season where Chet Holmgren missed 50 games and offseason acquisitions Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso both missed significant time.

The Nuggets performed nearly 20 points better per 100 possessions with Jokic on the court. While Oklahoma City arguably has more talent surrounding Gilgeous-Alexander than Denver does around Jokic, the Thunder still performed 11.5 points per 100 possessions worse when Gilgeous-Alexander was off the court. Without him, the NBA`s top offense would rank 22nd in the league.

As for the remainder of the ballot, Antetokounmpo was an obvious choice for the third spot, marking his seventh consecutive season in the top four. While Tatum was in consideration for third at one point, Antetokounmpo`s strong finish over the past couple of months – especially after Damian Lillard`s injury – propelled him ahead of Tatum.

There was a significant gap between Tatum and several players vying for the fifth spot, with the decision ultimately between Brunson and Donovan Mitchell. Ultimately, Brunson secured the fifth spot due to his clutch performances, which may earn him additional accolades.

Defensive Player of the Year

1. Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers

2. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

3. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Leading up to the All-Star break, the primary question for DPOY was who would come in second to Victor Wembanyama. However, Wembanyama`s season-ending diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis opened up the race, with several players – including the three listed, as well as Rudy Gobert, Draymond Green, Dyson Daniels, Amen Thompson, and Luguentz Dort – all likely to receive votes, possibly even first-place selections.

The final decision came down to Zubac and Mobley. The Clippers have been among the league`s top defensive teams, ranking third in defensive rating. Zubac has been central to this, allowing the lowest shot quality as the primary defender among players contesting at least 700 shots this season, according to GenuisIQ tracking data. Mobley, on the other hand, might be the league`s most versatile defender, uniquely guarding guards, forwards, and centers for at least 900 half-court matchups this season – a valuable asset in today’s fast-paced game.

Ultimately, Zubac received the nod. He played nine more games and approximately 500 more minutes than Mobley. His dominant paint presence significantly contributed to the Clippers` top-five defensive rating, slightly edging out the Cavs` All-Star center.

Similar to Mobley, Jackson`s versatility is his key attribute, with Memphis`s defense being over four points per 100 possessions worse when he is on the bench. Jackson is one of the few players to defend guards, forwards, and centers for at least 800 possessions this season, and the only player with at least 75 steals and 100 blocks.

Coach of the Year

1. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers

2. J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons

3. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets

The top two candidates have been consistent for weeks, though I fluctuated between them since mid-March. The Pistons more than tripling their win total from last season is an extraordinary achievement, and Bickerstaff has effectively instilled a defensive mindset in his young team.

However, the most challenging leap in the NBA – for both players and teams – isn`t from poor to good, but from good to great. The Cavaliers transitioned from being expected to contend for home-court advantage in the first round to securing home court throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, winning 64 games, and witnessing significant improvements across the roster.

Other coaches deserving first-place votes include Udoka, who led a team initially expected to compete for a play-in spot to the second seed in the Western Conference, and Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers. Despite flying under the radar all season, Lue has done an exceptional job managing the Clippers, especially given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard`s availability. Lue deserves recognition for this award, and it was difficult to exclude him from my ballot.

Rookie of the Year

1. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks

2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

3. Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

This year`s rookie race is less impactful than last year’s, where Wembanyama and Holmgren were both exceptionally impactful as rookies, likely winning the award in almost any season over the past two decades.

This season’s choice narrowed to Castle, who assumed a larger individual role in San Antonio, and Risacher, who effectively integrated into a playoff-contending team. I opted for Risacher, the top pick in last year’s draft, who has averaged 14 points and shot 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range since January 1.

Wells, a second-round pick who became a starter for the playoff-hopeful Memphis Grizzlies, ranked third. (It`s worth noting that Wells is recovering well after a scary fall that resulted in a season-ending wrist fracture last week against the Charlotte Hornets.)

Most Improved Player

1. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers

3. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

I question the necessity of this award. Similar to the NBA`s decision to retire the Comeback Player of the Year award in 1986 due to unclear criteria, defining `most improved` remains ambiguous.

What constitutes the greatest improvement? What metrics are most important? This award is often applicable to many players and tends to favor young, high-draft picks making significant leaps, as Lakers coach JJ Redick recently noted.

My ballot reflects this trend, with Mobley at the top. His progression from minimal All-Star consideration last year to potentially an All-NBA selection this season makes him a deserving recipient.

Zubac has also had a remarkable season for the Clippers, showing substantial growth in nearly every aspect of his game – notably in minutes played, as he has taken on a larger role and excelled. Reaves has not only thrived since Luka Doncic joined the Lakers but has been instrumental in the Lakers` second-half surge to the West`s third seed.

Sixth Man of the Year

1. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

2. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves

3. Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons

This was among the easiest decisions on my ballot. Pritchard has consistently been one of the Celtics` top performers (alongside Tatum and Derrick White), providing significant energy and production off the bench. As a 40% three-point shooter on nearly eight attempts per game, he has frequently been a catalyst for Boston`s wins and has been my clear Sixth Man leader for months.

The final two spots were more contested, with Alexander-Walker, Beasley, and Cavaliers players De`Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome as the main contenders. Hunter has arguably had his best season, initially with the Atlanta Hawks and then with the Cavaliers after a mid-season trade, improving his shot selection and averaging a career-high 17 points per game.

Jerome`s journey is particularly noteworthy, recovering from nearly a full season lost to injury to average 12.5 points on 51.6% shooting overall and 43.6% from three-point range.

However, my second and third votes went to Alexander-Walker and Beasley. Alexander-Walker has been a crucial, often understated, player for Minnesota, contributing on both ends of the court and effectively playing on and off the ball during injuries to Donte DiVincenzo and Mike Conley. He shot 38.1% from three-point range and is a capable defender who can close out games.

My third spot went to Beasley, who ranks seventh in the league in three-point attempts per game and is the only player in the top 20 for attempts shooting over 40% for the season. Beasley`s career-best year has been a key factor in Detroit’s improvement.

Clutch Player of the Year

1. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

3. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

While LeBron James was considered, these three were my clear top choices in this order. Brunson`s 5.6 clutch points per game this season are among the highest in the past 25 years for players in at least 20 clutch games, consistently securing close wins for New York while maintaining the league`s highest clutch usage rate.

Jokic, consistently excellent, ranked in the top five for both clutch points and assists. Young led the league in total fourth-quarter points and assists, becoming the first player since John Stockton in 1997 to record at least 200 fourth-quarter assists in a season.

All-NBA First Team

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

• Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

• Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

• Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

All-NBA Second Team

• Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

• Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

• Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

• LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

All-NBA Third Team

• James Harden, LA Clippers

• Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

• Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

• Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

• Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

All-Defense First Team

• Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

• Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

• Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers

• Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

• Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

All-Defense Second Team

• Derrick White, Boston Celtics

• Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

• Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder

• Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves

• Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

All-Rookie First Team

• Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks

• Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

• Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

• Kel`el Ware, Miami Heat

• Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

All-Rookie Second Team

• Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans

• Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers

• Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards

• Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns

• Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls