The NBA preseason is drawing to a close, with the new look New York Knicks traveling to Boston to face the reigning champion Celtics, while Anthony Edwards leads the Minnesota Timberwolves into Los Angeles to face LeBron James and the Lakers. With the season on the horizon, there’s no better time to predict the 2024-25 NBA season.
Most Valuable Player
Vincent: Luka Dončić, Guard, Dallas Mavericks
I’m doubling down on my pick from last year and banking on Dončić to bring home the award. He finished third in the award voting, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, who brought home his third MVP award of his career. Dončić produced career bests in points, rebound, assists and three-point percentage. I think he is going to have another boost in production, especially after coming off a Final appearance.
Reece: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
After finishing second in the MVP race in the 2023-24 season, I think this is Shai’s year to finally take the crown. Not only did he show last year that he’s the most consistent player in the league, he also led OKC to the top seed in a very tough Western Conference. With OKC adding some veteran pieces including Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, I believe that we’ll see career high numbers for Gilgeous-Alexander.
Rookie of the Year
Vincent: Rob Dillingham, Guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
This season’s draft class is significantly weaker than previous classes. I think team success will benefit each rookie’s case and odds are the Timberwolves will be about as successful as they were last year. Dillingham being able to play alongside a prolific scorer like Edwards will prove to be beneficial. In his lone season at the University of Kentucky, Dillingham was effective, averaging over 15 points per game on high shooting percentages, not to mention he’ll most likely be in a similar bench role that he had with the Wildcats.
Reece: Dalton Knecht, Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
Last year with Victor Wembanyama being one of the biggest prospects in NBA history, it was almost certain who was bringing home the ROTY trophy. This year is the complete opposite. There has been one player from this class that has stood out to me in college, summer league and the preseason, and that was Knecht. The Los Angeles Lakers have been looking for the third option for the past couple years and nothing has panned out. I believe Knecht could become that third scoring option for this desperate Lakers roster. Knecht displayed his ability to score at all three levels at Tennessee. He’s the oldest and most experienced player out of this draft class and I believe that will play in his favor during the Rookie of the Year race.
Defensive Player of the Year
Vincent: Victor Wembanyama, Center, San Antonio Spurs
In his rookie season, Wembanyama was exceptional on both sides of the ball, winning the Rookie of the Year award and finishing second in the Defensive Player of the Year award. He had better counting stats than Ruby Gobert, who won his fourth award. Wembanyama came into the preseason with added muscle mass, making him an even tougher defender.
Reece: Victor Wembanyama, Center, San Antonio Spurs
With Victor Wembanyama being snubbed of the DPOY award in the 2023-24 season, the league better watch out because it’s going to be scary hours. Coming off an amazing rookie campaign, maybe even the best ever, Wemby is bound to have a monster season on both sides of the floor. Don’t be surprised if he averages four blocks per game this upcoming season.
Most Improved Player
Vincent: RJ Barrett, Guard, Toronto Raptors
Barrett was a former top-three pick and was a solid player for the Knicks, but never truly turned into the superstar New York had hoped for. He was dealt to Toronto last season and in 32 games, averaged career best stats. Barrett has now had an offseason to get acclimated to Toronto. This Raptors team doesn’t have high expectations as a team this season, but they are hoping Barrett can turn into the go-to guy that New York thought they once had.
Reece: Shaedon Sharpe, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers
Coming off a surgery from last season that got in the way of his sophomore year campaign, Sharpe is due for a big year. Sharpe started the year off strong averaging 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, before his season came to an end after 32 games. With the Trail Blazers looking for their next star, Sharpe is going to make a strong run to become that guy. He showed lots of promise with his ability to score the ball, while also being one of the most athletic players in the league. As long as Sharpe stays healthy, his name will be in the conversation this season.
Sixth Man of the Year
Vincent: Norman Powell, Guard, Los Angeles Clippers
Powell has been a phenomenal bench player since joining the Clippers, finishing top-five in Sixth Man voting each of the last two seasons. With Paul George having gone to the 76ers, Powell will have the chance to have more shots this season. His percentages will stay in a similar range that he has had previously, but will see his counting stats climb.
Reece: Malik Monk, Guard, Sacramento Kings
After a close race for Sixth Man of the Year last season, Monk is destined to finally win the award. With the Sacramento Kings improving over the off-season adding Demar DeRozen, this will allow Monk to be an even bigger spark plug off the bench. The amount of offensive threat coming from the King’s offense will make Monk’s job much easier.
NBA Champions:
Vincent: Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City had an insane turnaround, winning a Western Conference best 57 games, just two seasons after winning just over 20. Gilgeious-Alexander emerged as the top guy in OKC, with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren proving to be the perfect right-hand men to SGA. Luguentz Dort is still one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, with fellow guards Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe are great role players, both being knockdown three-point shooters. The Thunder brought in Caruso, a player with a similar style to Dort, and Hartenstein, an interior force who stepped up tremendously for the Knicks playoff team last season and will fill the one role Oklahoma City lacked, though he’ll miss some time due to a left hand fracture. Many of the roster had their first playoff experience from Oklahoma City’s run last season and now with the taste of success, OKC is destined to bring home the championship that general manager Sam Presti has been desperately chasing.
Reece: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks went all in this summer to up their chances to bring a championship to the Big Apple. The Knicks traded for star, Karl-Anthony Towns, and brand new Nova-Knick, Mikal Bridges. Not only does this spread the court and give All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson more space, it also brings defensive versatility to help match up against other competitors like the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Leon Rose has been making moves for the past couple of seasons to put together a roster that he believes can take it all. After finishing top five in MVP, Bruson took a $113 million pay cut this off-season to save his team some money to improve the roster. Carrying the momentum from last season, I think the Knicks will bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to New York for the first time in over 50 years.
All stats are from Basketball Reference as of Oct 20.
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