The NBA revealed its three finalists for the 2025-26 awards Sunday.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder will again vie for the league’s most coveted individual honor with three-time winner Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and first-time nominee Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
Former Duke teammates Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg are expected to contest a tight battle for Rookie of the Year. Knueppel became the first rookie in NBA history to lead the league in 3-pointers (273). Meanwhile, Flagg was tops among all first-year players in points (21) and assists (4.5), and second in rebounds (6.7). VJ Edgecombe is the sole finalist to reach the playoffs after bursting onto the scene in Philly.
Two-time All-Star Wembanyama is the consensus pick to win Defensive Player of the Year after leading the NBA in blocks (3.1), defensive win shares (5), and defensive rating (101). Thunder center Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson have both been nominated for a first time. Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley was named DPOY last season.
Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been in the discussion for Sixth Man of the Year all season. He’s joined by veteran Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and Spurs small forward Keldon Johnson for the distinction awarded to the league’s best bench player. Boston Celtics playmaker Payton Pritchard was last year’s winner.
Deni Avdija is the consensus favorite for Most Improved Player after taking a massive leap this season with the Portland Trail Blazers and earning a first All-Star selection. Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is being recognized amid a career year in his first season with the team, and Pistons big Jalen Duren had a breakthrough campaign, also receiving a maiden All-Star nod. Alexander-Walker’s teammate Dyson Daniels won this award last season.
While he may think the award is “stupid,” Celtics boss Joe Mazzulla is nonetheless a legitimate contender to pick up his first Coach of the Year prize thanks to his success leading a substantially different Boston squad this season. J.B. Bickerstaff also makes a strong case to improve on last year’s runner-up finish after returning the Detroit Pistons to the top of the East for the first time in nearly 20 years. Mitch Johnson gets credit for the Spurs’ own transformation this year after officially succeeding Gregg Popovich behind the bench.