Predicting the 2024-25 NBA season MVP, champion, DPOY, ROY and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
A new NBA season is here.
To jog memories, the previous campaign ended with the Boston Celtics finally claiming Banner No. 18, doing so in a gentlemanly sweep over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Celtics are essentially running it back with the same personnel as no major changes to the roster have been made under head coach Joe Mazzulla. But other teams, like the Mavericks, will be hoping to dethrone an elite Boston side.
Individually, Nikola Jokic will hope to repeat as league MVP and chase his fourth such honor as the Denver Nuggets also look to bounce back into Finals contention.
The newbie landscape is more precarious for the first time in a while. Headlined by overall pick Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks, it’s not entirely clear which youngsters will emerge as the best of their respective class.
So, who will win NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and more? Let’s predict everything before the 2024-25 NBA campaign is officially announced:
Who will win the 2024-25 NBA Finals?
The Celtics and Nuggets, winners of the last two titles, exhibited the formula of a title-winning and contending team: superstars who defy the tactics of the opposition offensively and deploy a foundation of changeable defenders who are disciplined and can handle multiple positions.
Denver dropped a few levels after losing key role players in Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, while Boston, as mentioned, is running it back.
As long as the Celtics stay healthy, it’s safe to have them high on the list. Other teams that fit the bill are the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder. Teams a few levels below include the Philadelphia 76ersMilwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Mavericks and Nuggets due to injury concerns or lack of enough quality.
There are a few sleeper teams worth keeping an eye on, but that will be explored later.
Prediction: Thunder victory.
Who will win 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year?
Last season saw Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Chet Holmgren of the Thunder were the obvious candidates for Rookie of the Year. It’s a tighter forecast this time around because of the uncertainties surrounding most of the lottery picks.
How Risacher is doing in Atlanta, as well as number 2 pick Alex Sarr with the Washington Wizardsis unknown They are not as NBA-ready compared to Wembanyama and Holmgren, so players who could have more defined roles will compete for the honor.
Other names to watch include Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who will have a solid supporting cast to do the tougher work around him in Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Co. Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware could have interesting numbers under Erik Spoelstra, with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro all present.
San Antonio could go back-to-back with guard Stephon Castle, depending on how many touches he gets on the ball with Chris Paul in town. The Los Angeles Lakers could also have a contender if Dalton Knecht connects well from the bench along with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Co. in JJ Redick’s first season as head coach.
Prediction: Zaccharie Risacher, Falcons.
Who will win 2024-25 NBA MVP?
Denver’s Jokic and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo have been mainstays in the MVP conversation the last few seasons. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who placed second last season, should be in contention again if the team can regain the top overall seed out West.
Mavericks star Luka Doncic finished third in voting and could place higher if he finds his form early and maintains it longer. Dallas wouldn’t have made the Finals without his increase in production in recent months, but it will require him to be more consistent from the start.
Prediction: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder.
Who will win 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player?
The Most Improved Player award is tough because the most improved player doesn’t always win. Tyrese Maxey claimed the award last year and while some of his stats have improved, he has already proven that he can consistently play at a high level over multiple seasons.
With that aspect in mind, some players who could be in the mix are Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, Mavericks center Dereck Lively II and Spurs center Wembanyama. Others include Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski and Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson.
Prediction: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs.
Who will win 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year?
This award is simpler. Rudy Gobert is a mainstay, but after winning last season, there’s a good chance Wembanyama unseats him this year and for years to come.
Lakers star Davis should get more credit for his impact as long as he stays healthy again like he did last season, while the Cleveland Cavaliers will be hoping for more from Evan Mobley.
Prediction: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs.
Who will win 2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year?
Last year’s Sixth Man of the Year controversially went to Timberwolves center Naz Reid, who started more often as a result of Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury and thus wasn’t exactly a true sixth man.
This time, it might fall into the hands of whoever deserved it more last season — Sacrament Kings guard Malik Monk.
Prediction: Malik Monk, Kings.
Who will win 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year?
Mike Brown of the Kings and Mark Daigneault of the Thunder rightfully won the award in each of the last two seasons after leading their teams to impressive leaps. Who could it be this season?
Well, Brown might be in the mix again after Sacramento missed the playoffs last season, though it will depend on how high it can climb after adding DeMar DeRozan. Spurs legend Gregg Popovich could find himself back depending on how Wembanyama and Co. is doing, while Taylor Jenkins of the Grizzlies, Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets and Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic are possibilities.
Prediction: Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies.
Who are the NBA’s sleeper teams in 2024-25?
The Thunder, Magic and Indiana Pacers all made the jumps last season, as predicted. The Kings don’t fully count because they rose to prominence in 2022-23 and now have one of the more complete starting lineups in the league, while Memphis will be back as long as it avoids the many injuries of last year, with Morant as well. available
So, attention then pivots to the Rockets, who under Udoka have shown plenty of defensive promise but need long-term rotation planning. They have several talented youngsters, but may need to cash in on a few of them for more proven stars to move up the ladder.
San Antonio, as said, could compete for at least a Play-In Tournament spot with more guards complementing Wembanyama and Co.
The complete outside shot is the Charlotte Hornets, who with LaMelo Ball made the Play-In Tournament twice but suffered blowout losses in both. Ball staying healthy is the biggest question mark, while Mark Williams and Brandon Miller showed promise last season. Can first-year head coach Charles Lee develop an identity for the team when rookies Nick Smith Jr. and Tidjane Salaun enters the frame? It will be a tall task.
