The League Leader

The 2023-24 Season is on the way and fans are getting excited for the next season. With stacked rosters, breakout stars, and historical prospects, the Season is set to be a roller coaster. In California Basketball, we will predict the TOP 3 possible winners of next year’s awards and the main reasons why they would win.

MVP

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
3. Luka Doncic

After winning the first ring in Nuggets History, Nikola Jokic and his teammates are favorites to repeat next season. With the odds so high, the most unguardable player in the league, Nikola Jokic, could look to join Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and other Bigmen Greats by winning his 3rd MVP.

Giannis Antetokounmpo could look at winning it too, but certainly has the potential of winning his 3rd too, but with his recent comments of not resigning if the Bucks don’t go all in for their next championship, he probably won’t work hard for the MVP anyways. For Luka Doncic, he could’ve had the highest odds if Jokic didn’t prove himself as the most unguardable players in the league. However, with his team being worse than the other candidates, he will have to put in more efforts than other candidates to win this award.

ROTY (Rookie Of The Year)

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Chet Holmgren
3. Scoot Henderson

Although most odds has shifted to Chet Holmgren, we still have Wembanyama as the winner. Similar to Victor Wembanyama, 20 years ago, Lebron James was the number 1 pick and one of the most hyped prospects of all time. During the Season, Lebron didn’t score the most points, nor did his team make the playoffs. However, he still won rookie of the year over Carmelo Anthony, who had better teammates yet still did what Lebron couldn’t.

This case could easily apply to this ROTY race. However, if the former 2nd overall pick secretly got more experienced with the Thunders last year, he can possibly win it too. However, if Scoot Henderson performs like he promised and takes revenge, he could be a wildcard winner for next season’s ROTY.

DPOY (Defensive Player Of The Year)

1. Evan Mobley
2. Nic Claxton
3. Jaren Jackson Jr.
   • Wildcards: Jrue Holiday, Walker Kessler, Anthony Davis

Next years DPOY race could be legit. Though many believes a repeat of a young players like Walker Kessler, if the Cavaliers stay a top seed next season, Evan Mobley can win this race by a mile. Last season, with a negative defensive back-court of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, their defense should’ve been awful. Luckily, with Evan Mobley’s underrated defensive impact, the Cavaliers became the best defensive team in the league. However, if anyone of the candidates or wildcards makes a breakout season, they could steal the award.

Sixth Man Of The Year

1. Immanuel Quickley
2. Austin Reaves
3. Chris Paul

Though Chris Paul’s impact for the Warriors bench is very important, if Quickley and Reaves stays bench players, they would have higher chances of winning the awards. Anyhow, the award remains hard to predict, as their may be rotation changes that could alter the race.

MIP (Most Improved Player)

1. Cade Cunningham
2. Austin Reaves
3. Mikal Bridges
   • WILDCARD: Desmond Bane

It’s either the Sophomores or the someone from the FIBA World Cup roster (or Some Surprises). That has been an obvious possibility for next years’ MIP, since Austin Reaves and Mikal Bridges has proved themselves as future stars. With the Grizzlies not having Ja Morant, Bane could prove himself as an all-star and a wildcard MIP winner. However, the MIP is still the hardest to predict, because it is meant for a surprising player.

COTY (Coach Of The Year)

1. Mark Daigneault (OKC THUNDERS)
2. Taylor Jenkins (MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES)
3. Michael Malone (DENVER NUGGETS)

If the Nuggets still are the best team, Michael Malone could be the typical COTY winner. However, what COTY voters like to see are underdog stories. This could apply to the Non-Ja Grizzlies, who could still make the playoffs. However, the most possible pick is the Thunders. Making the play-in last year, the Thunders are certainly able to make the playoffs next year. Their potential next season could be as high as any team in the West.