What will the NBA awards races look like in 2022?
Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic edged out a host of contenders, including two-time defending MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, for the NBA's top honor in 2021, but Antetokounmpo went on to bring a title to Milwaukee and was named Finals MVP. Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant should be healthy again and surely ready to avenge his team's last-second loss to the Bucks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green, the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in 2021, respectively, lead a strong class competing for Rookie of the Year honors. Cunningham and Green join the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets, teams looking to build around their young talent.
Can second-year Nets head coach Steve Nash take home the Coach of the Year honor with a healthy trio of Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving? He'll face tough competition from Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, whose team added Kyle Lowry in free agency, along with Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams and a deep field of candidates.
The NBA awards, however, don't compare to winning a title. The Nets' superstar trio should help them be the top contender all season, but LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers retooled to compete for the Larry O'Brien trophy, too. And they'll each have to get past tough competition in conference foes.
Our expert panel is predicting the NBA awards, along with which teams will win each conference and eventually the NBA title.
Note: Our 2021-22 NBA summer forecast will continue Friday with our predictions on Team Turnaround, Team Turmoil and other pressing questions.
Who will win NBA MVP?
Two former MVPs lead this vote. Durant should be helped all season by fellow All-Stars Harden, who also made the list, and Irving. Antetokounmpo will look to follow last season's title with another regular-season MVP title.
1. Kevin Durant | Brooklyn Nets: 45 points (38.9% first-place votes)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks: 38 points (33.3% first-place votes)
3. Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks: 35 points (16.7% first-place votes)
4. Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers: 14 points (5.6% first-place votes)
5. James Harden | Brooklyn Nets: 11 points (5.6% first-place votes)
6. Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors: 10 points
7. LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers: 7 points
Others receiving votes: Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis.
Who will win NBA Rookie of the Year?
Though Cunningham was the No. 1 overall pick, he's edged out in this poll by No. 2 pick Green. Green and Cunningham both had strong summer league performances, as did the rest of this deep field.
1. Jalen Green | Houston Rockets: 75 points (72.2% first-place votes)
2. Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons: 58 points (27.8% first-place votes)
3. Jalen Suggs | Orlando Magic: 17 points
4. Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers: 6 points
5. Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors: 4 points
6. Josh Giddey | Oklahoma City Thunder: 1 point
7. Davion Mitchell | Sacramento Kings: 1 point
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Who will win Coach of the Year?
After a disappointing first-round exit from the playoffs, Spoelstra's team signed the best free agent available in Kyle Lowry. He slightly edged out Nash, who should have a healthy trio of All-Stars to start the season.
1. Erik Spoelstra | Miami Heat: 23 points (5.6% first-place votes)
2. Steve Nash | Brooklyn Nets: 22 points (22.2% first-place votes)
3. Ime Udoka | Boston Celtics: 16 points (16.7% first-place votes)
4. Quin Snyder | Utah Jazz: 14 points (5.6% first-place votes)
5. Taylor Jenkins | Memphis Grizzlies: 13 points (11.1% first-place votes)
6. Monty Williams | Phoenix Suns: 12 points (5.6% first-place votes)
7. Steve Kerr | Golden State Warriors: 11 points (5.6% first-place votes)
T-8. Frank Vogel | Los Angeles Lakers: 8 points (5.6% first-place votes)
T-8. Rick Carlisle | Indiana Pacers: 8 points (5.6% first-place votes)
T-8. Nate McMillan | Atlanta Hawks: 8 points (5.6% first-place votes)
Others receiving votes: Tyronn Lue, Billy Donovan, James Borrego, Michael Malone, Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd, Willie Green, Mike Budenholzer.
Who will win Defensive Player of the Year?
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert is projected to take home his fourth such title, edging out Anthony Davis and Antetokounmpo.
1. Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz: 40 points (33.3% first-place votes)
2. Anthony Davis | Los Angeles Lakers: 33 points (27.8% first-place votes)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks: 30 points (11.1% first-place votes)
4. Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors: 15 points (11.1% first-place votes)
5. Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers: 15 points (5.6% first-place votes)
6. Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers: 11 points (11.1% first-place votes)
7. Bam Adebayo | Miami Heat: 8 points
Others receiving votes: Paul George, Myles Turner, Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holiday, Clint Capela.
Who will win Sixth Man of the Year?
Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz runs away with this one, handily edging out the No. 2 finisher, Derrick Rose. The Jazz fell short of the Western Conference finals last year, and they'll need a strong playoff performance from Clarkson to get by the strong competition in the West.
1. Jordan Clarkson | Utah Jazz: 41 points (33.3% first-place votes)
2. Derrick Rose | New York Knicks: 27 points (16.7% first-place votes)
3. Joe Ingles | Utah Jazz: 21 points (16.7% first-place votes)
4. Kevin Huerter | Atlanta Hawks: 20 points (5.6% first-place votes)
5. Tyrese Haliburton | Sacramento Kings: 18 points (16.7% first-place votes)
6. Tyler Herro | Miami Heat: 12 points (5.6% first-place votes)
7. Eric Bledsoe | LA Clippers: 5 points (5.6% first-place votes)
Others receiving votes: Kendrick Nunn, Carmelo Anthony, Goran Dragic, Dennis Schroder, Talen Horton-Tucker, Alex Caruso, Patty Mills.
Who will win Most Improved Player?
Michael Porter Jr. missed his entire rookie season with the Nuggets due to a nagging back injury, but he has since developed nicely alongside Jokic. The Nuggets will start the season without Jamal Murray, who is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in April, which leaves the door open for Porter Jr. to continue his development in his fourth year alongside Jokic and Aaron Gordon.
1. Michael Porter Jr. | Denver Nuggets: 30 points (16.7% first-place votes)
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder: 20 points (5.6% first-place votes)
3. Kevin Porter Jr. | Houston Rockets: 19 points (5.6% first-place votes)
4. LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets: 18 points (16.7% first-place votes)
5. Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves: 11 points (5.6% first-place votes)
6. Jaren Jackson Jr. | Memphis Grizzlies: 11 points (11.1% first-place votes)
T-7. Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies: 10 points (11.1% first-place votes)
T-7. Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans: 10 points (11.1% first-place votes)
Others receiving votes: De'Aaron Fox, Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, Fred VanVleet, Christian Wood, Malcolm Brogdon, Mikal Bridges, Lonzo Ball, Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Tyrese Haliburton.
Who will win the Eastern Conference finals?
The Nets are heavily favored to win the East, which is consistent with the thinking that Durant will be the MVP with help from his two superstar teammates.
1. Brooklyn Nets: 85 points (78.9% first-place votes)
2. Milwaukee Bucks: 54 points (10.5% first-place votes)
3. Miami Heat: 21 points (5.3% first-place votes)
4. Philadelphia 76ers: 9 points (5.3% first-place votes)
5. Boston Celtics: 1 point
6. Atlanta Hawks: 1 point
NBA predictions: Records for the Nets, Bucks and East teams
Who will win the Western Conference finals?
The Lakers added veteran talent in the offseason, creating a roster with several likely Hall of Famers. Age could be a factor here, especially given that James and Davis both missed significant time last season. Can the Suns and Jazz catch up?
1. Los Angeles Lakers: 87 points (78.9% first-place votes)
2. Utah Jazz: 40 points (10.5%)
3. Phoenix Suns: 17 points (5.3%)
4. Denver Nuggets: 11 points (5.3%)
5. Golden State Warriors: 11 points
6. Dallas Mavericks: 5 points
NBA predictions: Lakers, Suns and West team records
Who will win the NBA title?
The Nets are a strong favorite to win it all, particularly since they got additional help in free agency. The Lakers, however, also made splashes in free agency, adding veterans Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony. And the reigning champions still have one of the best two-way players in the league in Antetokounmpo.
1. Brooklyn Nets: 80 points (78.9% first-place votes)
2. Los Angeles Lakers: 49 points (15.8%)
3. Milwaukee Bucks: 30 points (5.3%)
4. Philadelphia 76ers: 4 points
T-5. Miami Heat: 3 points
T-5. Phoenix Suns: 3 points
T-7. Utah Jazz: 1 point
T-7. Denver Nuggets: 1 point
Image credits: Frank Franklin II/AP Photo; Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images; Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images; Kim Klement/USA Today Sports; Jeffrey Swinger/USA Today Sports; David Zalubowski/AP Photo; Mike Stobe/Getty Images; Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images; Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images