NBA Award Predictions: 2022-23
It is almost that time of the year again, the NBA season is right around the corner.
Preseason is officially underway and this should be a great season for fans.
What better way to prepare for the upcoming season than some early award predictions?
MVP
First we have the most coveted award; the Most Valuable Player. These lists will all be chosen by my top-3 picks to take home the award in order from most likely to less likely.
1. Luka Doncic
Doncic is coming off yet another impressive season, but better yet a Western Conference Finals appearance and a playoffs in which he absolutely dominated - again. Although the Mavs lost guard Jalen Brunson, they did add Christian Wood, and didn’t really give up much.
They also still have Spencer Dinwiddie who should be able to fill Brunson’s role just fine. Doncic has a great shot at MVP, and the best chance to win it. We all know he is going to put up his numbers, but the team will win games, and Doncic will be at the helm of this.
Stats Prediction: 29.8 ppg 8.2 rpg, 9.7 apg
2. Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid, the MVP runner up for the second year in a row. You could argue that he deserved the MVP last season, for him, it’s likely a thing of the past at this point.
Embiid is coming off a season where he was the first center to be the league’s scoring champion since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000, and the first center to average 30 points in 40 years (Moses Malone averaged 31.1 ppg in ‘81-82).
The 76ers have improved majorly during this offseason, and a lot of that is due to Embiid’s co-star James Harden taking a pay cut. Daryl Morey added more pieces around his stars, and this could be the year that the 76ers make it out of the second round. Embiid will have a big year, and once again be in MVP contention.
Stats Prediction: 28.5 ppg 12.2 rpg 4.4 apg
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Soon enough people are going to have to acknowledge the fact that as long as the Bucks are contenders, the Greek Freak will always be in the MVP conversation. As we know, he is one of the best two-way players in the world, and the most dominant force in the league.
The already two-time MVP will be looking to add a third to his resume. Antetokounmpo, who finished last year’s playoff run without his all star teammate Khris Middleton, took the eventual Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics to Game 7.
We all know what Antetokounmpo can do and what he is capable of. Another MVP caliber season from him is surely in the works.
Stats Prediction: 30.6 ppg 12.5 rpg 5.1 apg
Rookie of the Year
1. Paolo Banchero
This might be most people’s ROY selection. The No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero has become highly favored to take home this award with the season ending injury to Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren.
After an impressive summer league campaign where he showed exactly why he was drafted No. 1 overall, do not look for Paolo to slow down. He has superstar potential, and Magic fans should be absolutely excited about this pick.
Stats Prediction: 17.3 ppg 7.2 rpg 3.9 apg
2. Jaden Ivey
The future is bright in Detroit and the Pistons might have found their backcourt of the future in Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham.
Ivey showed a bit of everything in the summer league, from his ability to attack downhill, his passing, his explosiveness and even the ability to knock down the 3-ball.
The Pistons could have a very solid season and it wouldn’t be surprising if they make a play-in push. This is one of the best young teams in the East, and Ivey already looks like a future All Star. Do not be surprised when you hear this kid's name in the Rookie of the Year race.
Stats Prediction: 14.3 ppg 4.1 rpg 6.2 apg
3. Jabari Smith Jr.
Jabari Smith could have very well gone No. 1 overall. This kid is no slouch, he is a future All-NBA Defensive team member and very well could end up being the best defensive player in the draft.
Smith Jr. has shown so much promise on the defensive side of the ball, with flashes of what’s to come on offense. He looks like one of those players that will do the little things, and make winning plays on the court. Look for him to have a solid year and be in contention for the ROY award.
Stats Prediction: 13.4 ppg 6.9 rpg 3.3 apg
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Rudy Gobert
Gobert is arguably the best defensive big in the league, and this season he will be paired with one of the best offensive centers in the league. Therefore, this season, Gobert will only be asked to do what he does best - get rebounds and play defense.
After all, that is what they brought him to Minnesota for. Gobert already has three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and with him only having to focus on his specialty this season, he may be able to add a fourth one to his resume.
Stats Prediction: 12.2 ppg 14.4 rpg 0.8 spg 2.9 bpg
2. Anthony Davis
There is no doubt that when Davis is fully healthy, and not in street clothes, that he is a top-10 player.
Staying on the court has been his biggest challenge over the last few seasons, but if he can stay healthy, he will be one of the best players in the game.
On the defensive end of the floor, Davis is one of the best bigs in the game. His ability to switch onto different players, as well as block shots, and change shots often goes unnoticed at times. However, if he stays healthy this season, do not be surprised if he is able to win this award.
Stats Prediction: 24.7 ppg 10.3 rpg 3.7 apg 1.6 spg 2.4 bpg
3. Ben Simmons
It’s hard to be a fan of Ben Simmons sometimes, but he is arguably the best defender in basketball. He is one of the few players that could realistically guard positions 1-5, and do it effectively. It has been over 15 months since Simmons has played in an NBA game, but if all things click and go right, the Nets will be one of the better teams in the league this upcoming season.
Simmons can most definitely have success in Brooklyn, as the Nets will allow him to play his game. This is due to the fact that he will be playing with two of the best scorers that the game has ever seen in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, along with some very good shooters.
Passing and defending are two of Simmons’ best attributes, and he will be able to showcase that in Brooklyn. Look for him to play a similar role that Draymond Green plays for Golden State.
Stats Prediction: 12.4 ppg 7.6 rpg 8.7 apg 2.2 spg 1.4 bpg
6th Man of the Year
1. Jordan Poole
Poole was arguably one of the most improved players in the league last season. Many believed that the award should have gone to him, as he went from a G-league player to a key contributor on a championship team.
This season, it might be his award to lose. With Klay Thompson starting most of the games this year, Poole will be the 6th man for Golden State, and he will be looking to pick up right where he left off last season. Not to mention the fact that Poole’s contract expires this season, and he will want to earn himself a nice payday this offseason.
Stats Prediction: 17.4 ppg 3.2 rpg 5.3 apg
2. Malcolm Brogdon
After the Celtics made the deal for Brogdon, most people thought that they would be starting him at the point guard position. However, it has been said that Marcus Smart will continue to start, and Brogdon will come off the bench.
Brogdon could very well be in the running for the 6th man award. If he stays healthy this year, he will have a great year ahead of him in his new situation.
Stats Prediction: 14.8 ppg 4.1 rpg 6.7 apg
3. De'Anthony Melton
This is one of the most underrated moves of the offseason. Seriously, the Sixers trading for Melton and only giving up Danny Green is not discussed enough.
Melton could be that spark off the bench that Philadelphia has not had in a while. Melton is one of the best 3-and-D guards in the entire league and he will be a key part in any type of success that the 76ers have this season.
Look for Melton to have a career year, and he could very well make a bigger name for himself this upcoming season.
Stats Prediction: 12.6 ppg 3.9 rpg 4.1 apg
Most Improved Player
1. Tyrese Haliburton
It is clear that the Pacers have handed Haliburton the keys to the franchise, and that he is their point guard going forward. Especially after they traded away Malcolm Brogdon.
Since being dealt to Indiana by the Kings, Haliburton has looked like the point guard of the future for the Pacers. Since he has been there, he has averaged 17.5 points per game with 9.6 assists per game all while shooting 41% from behind the arc.
Haliburton is only going to get better and look for him to have an even better season this year.
Stats Prediction: 21.3 ppg 4.5 rpg 9.9 apg
2. Desmond Bane
Bane is a player that if not for the amazing season from his teammate Ja Morant, could have very well won this award last season. He upped his points per game by about nine, and was one of the best shooters in the entire league.
However, as the Grizzlies look like they are a young threat out West for years to come, look for him to make another huge leap this season. If Memphis wants to remain competitive, then they will certainly need it.
Stats Prediction: 23.4 ppg 4.5 rpg 3.1 apg
3. RJ Barrett
After inking out a new deal with the Knicks that pays him about 30-million a season, Barrett is going to be on a mission to prove that he is worth that money.
The Knicks have finally re-signed a young player to a rookie extension. Knicks fans probably can’t even remember the last time the Knicks extended a player's rookie contract.
This is likely showing Barrett that New York believes in him and his talent. Barrett will likely be looking to prove that he is that franchise cornerstone, and that starts this season.
Stats Prediction: 24.6 ppg 6.9 rpg 3.3 apg
About the Contributors
Jaiden Hope
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