As time runs out on the 2023-24 regular season, several players are vying to win at least one of the annual end-of-season NBA awards.
It’s been a particularly entertaining season. All-Stars on the outer rim of their prime —from LeBron James to Kawhi Leonard—continue to dominate. Up-and-coming stars are jostling for position as fans try to figure out who’ll be the future face of the league.
In all of the excitement, multiple players have become award favorites. Yet, there’s always a surprise victor for at least one. This season should be no different.
Most Valuable Player (The Michael Jordan Trophy)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played at an MVP level throughout the season. He didn’t flip a switch. He didn’t hit a wall. He’s just been a steady force from start to finish. That’s the main reason why the Thunder are 51-22, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the best record in the Western Conference. They’re one of just four teams to have reached 50 wins this season.
Alexander is averaging 30.4 points, 6.3 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game this season, shooting 54.0 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from 3. His steals average ranks first in the NBA. His field goal percentage is a career-high.
Defensive Player of the Year (Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy)
Rudy Gobert — Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is projected to win his fourth Defensive Player of the Year Award. With the Timberwolves sitting atop the West at 51-22, Gobert’s been their defensive anchor. He’s holding them down too, as Minnesota ranks first in opponent’s points per game (106.2) and defensive rating (108.7).
On paper, the winner is San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama. He’s averaging twice as many steals as Gobert (1.2) and leads the league in blocks per game (3.4). No rookie has won Defensive Player of the Year before but Wembanyama is no stranger to making history.
Rookie of the Year (Wilt Chamberlain Trophy)
Victor Wembanyama — San Antonio Spurs
The Rookie of the Year Award race seems like it’s been over for a while. Maybe it has. In any case, Wembanyama appears to be the runaway winner with averages of 21.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He leads all rookies in total points (1,365), rebounds (682), blocks (223), and steals (81) while ranking fourth in assists (235).
A walking highlight reel who can make history any time he’s on the floor, Wembanyama already looks like he can be the future face of the NBA.
Sixth Man of the Year (John Havlicek Trophy)
Malik Monk — Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season with a knee injury. However, Monk has been the favorite for the Sixth Man of the Year Award for months. Barring a spectacular finish by Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid or another projected Sixth Man of the Year candidate, he’ll still be the favorite when the regular season ends on Apr. 14.
Monk is averaging career-highs of 15.4 points and 5.1 assists per game this season. He ranks second on the Kings in total clutch points (98), behind only the face of the franchise, De’Aaron Fox.
Most Improved Player (George Mikan Trophy)
Cam Thomas — Brooklyn Nets
In the Most Improved Player Award race, Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas is presumably behind Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and Chicago Bulls guard Coby White. Thomas may be the only one of the aforementioned MIP candidates who’s having a true breakout season.
White is breaking through the wall he hit midway through his young career and is scoring +4.2 more points per game than his previous career-best. Maxey is building off his 2023-24 campaign, averaging +5.3 more points per game than last season. Thomas is averaging +11.2 more points per game than last season, more than doubling his previous career-high (10.6).
Clutch Player of the Year (Jerry West Trophy)
Stephen Curry — Golden State Warriors
This season, Chicago Bulls veteran DeMar DeRozan appears to be the favorite for the Clutch Player of the Year Award. However, he may not be the best choice for it.
DeRozan (172) ranks only behind Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (181) in total clutch points. If filtered for the final 30 seconds of a game with a five-point differential in either half, DeRozan (57) is ahead of Curry (49). Filtered to only include the fourth quarter and overtime, when there’s a one-point differential, Curry (15) leads the field in total clutch points again. DeRozan (12) isn’t far behind Curry but he’s 2-10 from the field in those situations while Curry is 5-10.
