Yaron Weitzman
FOX Sports activities NBA Author
Melissa Rohlin
FOX Sports activities NBA Author
The 2024-25 NBA season suggestions off on Tuesday and FOX Sports activities’ NBA workers is locking of their predictions earlier than the video games get going.
Denver Nuggets heart Nikola Jokić was voted the league’s Most Precious Participant for the third time in his nine-year profession final season, beating out Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić. Jokić might be within the combine once more this season, however there’s motive to consider the MVP award will go to a first-time winner.
Let us take a look at our professional predictions for the league’s main awards:
Rookie of the 12 months
Yaron Weitzman: Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets
In a weak class, Sheppard is perhaps essentially the most NBA-ready of all of the lottery picks. And, regardless of being on a group with a crowded depth chart, his capacity to shoot and guard the perimeter ought to assure him enjoying time.
Melissa Rohlin: Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey must be a starter and an actual contributor for a Grizzlies group that might make the playoffs. He is 7-foot-4 and can complement Ja Morant. I anticipate him to be a standout amongst his class.
Sixth Man of the 12 months
Weitzman: Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves
A 40 % 3-point shooter final yr on excessive quantity, DiVincenzo might be overqualified for this function. He is additionally going to get a ton of minutes, particularly with the Wolves seeking to preserve Mike Conley wholesome for the playoffs.
Rohlin: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
If the Kings can safe a high spot within the Western Convention, this award ought to belong to Monk. He was a standout final season, ending first in bench factors (15.4), bench assists (5.1) and clutch factors by a bench participant.
Defensive Participant of the 12 months
Weitzman: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
If he does not get injured, Wemby’s going to personal this award for the subsequent decade. The NBA has by no means had a participant like him. It is not simply the numbers, both, although the league-leading 3.6 blocks per sport final season—together with 1.2 steals—are fairly good. His influence, although, is in contrast to something we have ever seen. Simply have a look at this:
Rohlin: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
If Wemby does not win this award, one thing can have gone very improper. He may’ve received the award final season as a rookie with the numbers he put up and the influence he had. Now, with a season beneath his belt, he ought to dominate this discipline.
Coach of the 12 months
Weitzman: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Daigneault is a superb coach, and the West appears like OKC’s for the taking. This group can be younger sufficient and deep sufficient to get inside 60 wins.
Rohlin: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Daigneault has already reworked a really younger group right into a powerhouse. In the event that they carry out even higher this season, which I anticipate they need to, he must be a shoo in for this award.
Government of the 12 months
Weitzman: Sam Presti, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
No group within the NBA is healthier positioned than the Thunder, and after including Alex Caruso and isaiah hartenstein this offseason to his stacked younger core, Presti will get acknowledged for placing this complete factor collectively.
Rohlin: Sam Presti, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Even LeBron James just lately praised Presti. He has assembled a group that might dominate the league for years, making good transfer after good transfer, together with his choices this summer season. The Thunder’s rise has been swift and notable – they usually may simply be championship contenders.
Most Precious Participant
Weitzman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Sensing a theme? SGA completed second in MVP voting final season and fifth the yr earlier than. He is younger and solely getting higher, and his group ought to run away with the highest seed within the Western Convention.
Rohlin: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
I can not see Nikola Jokić profitable the MVP award 4 instances, that means he’d be part of the rarest of the uncommon firm, together with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Invoice Russell (5), Michael Jordan (5), Wilt Chamberlain (4) and LeBron James (4). As an alternative, I see this being Gilgeous-Alexander’s yr. He is made huge jumps yearly, he was the runner-up for this award final season and if the Thunder dominate within the West, anticipate him to stroll away with the league’s most prestigious award.
Yaron Weitzman is an NBA author for FOX Sports activities. He’s the writer of “Tanking to the High: The Philadelphia 76ers and the Most Audacious Course of within the Historical past of Skilled Sports activities.” Observe him on Twitter @YaronWeitzman.
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA author for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand lined the league for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Instances, the Bay Space Information Group and the San Antonio Categorical-Information. Observe her on Twitter @melissarohlin.
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