With most of the big name free agents being signed to their respective teams, it is time to look ahead towards the 2023-24 NBA Season.
In this article I will be predicting the winners of the awards around the league and predict who I think will make All-NBA.
MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo
This one feels pretty self explanatory. Giannis is starting his villain arc and after taking a 3 year hiatus from winning any trophies, he’s back for his 3rd MVP.
ROTY: Chet Holmgren
Chet’s rookie campaign will remind people a lot of a former ROY winner in Ben Simmons. Chet is being put in the large shadow of Victor Wenbanyama but side by side these two have identical games.
The only difference between the two is that Chet has had a year to sit on the sidelines and adjust to the NBA’s coaching and style, all for a team that was just two wins away from making the playoffs.
DPOY: Evan Mobley
The DPOY typically goes to the best defender in the league for that year. However, I think this year it will be going to Mobley not because he is the best defender in the league but because he will be anchoring the best defense in the league. I expect Cleveland to over succeed in the regular season and finish with the best defense in the NBA.
Most Improved: Cade Cunningham
Cade has faced injuries throughout the course of his first few years in the league. With that being said, I see Cunningham succeeding under newly hired head coach Monty Williams and forming a dominant 1-2 punch with Jaden Ivey.
6th Man: Gabe Vincent*
There is an asterisk next to this award because I don’t know who will be the 6th man for the Lakers this year. Whether it is DLo, Reaves or Vincent, one of those three will win it.
I expect LeBron and AD to slow down their pace of play and look to the younger guys to be a spark to this team. I think Vincent is the perfect piece for them.
COTY: Rick Carlisle
Rick Carlisle is the most underrated coach in this league. The Pacers have had a sneaky good offseason and as a result, I see the Pacers pushing to be a low seeded playoff team which will help Carlisle’s campaign for COY.
All NBA Teams:
The NBA recently put in place that All-NBA teams will now be positionless. Seeing that most of the players that consistently make these teams play multiple positions, I love this implementation. Here are my predictions for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd team.
1st Team:
- G: Stephen Curry
- F: Jayson Tatum
- F: Kevin Durant
- F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- F: Nikola Jokic
2nd Team:
- G: Jalen Brunson
- G: Devin Booker
- G: Anthony Edwards
- F: LeBron James
- F: Joel Embiid
3rd Team:
- G: Tyrese Haliburton
- G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- G: Donovan Mitchell
- F: Kawhi Leonard
- F: Anthony Davis
