More than a quarter of the NBA season has already elapsed, with the NBA Cup dominating headlines these days. Around 25 games provides a solid enough sample to begin thinking about end-of-season awards. For the first time this season, let’s divvy out way-too-early NBA awards and honorable mentions.
As NBA fans know (and largely detest), the 65-game minimum for award eligibility has already taken out several likely frontrunners and podium participants. For the moment, I’ll consider games missed but I won’t adhere to a strict limit to widen the pool.
🏆 Most Valuable Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander’s legendary offensive output is driving a season reminiscent of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors, currently averaging 35.5 points per 75 possessions on true shooting 11.3 percent above league average. The only modern scorers in his neighborhood are some of the most potent offensive players ever. His plus-11 Estimated Plus-Minus leads the NBA and is the highest mark in the metric’s history (since 2001-2002); only 2015-16 Curry finished a season in double-digits (plus-10.5).
Beyond his usual midrange mastery and automatic advantage creation, Gilgeous-Alexander’s continual outside shooting improvement has supercharged his offense. Once a wonky 3-point shooter without much gravity from outside, he’s launching 7.1 threes per 100 possessions and sinking an insane 45.4 percent of them.
He’s posting his highest potential assists mark per 100 possessions (18.5) since 2021, dialed in as an all-in-one offense. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s offense improves by 14.7 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, led by one of the best offensive players of all-time, who also ranks in the 96th percentile for Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus (plus-1.9).
Nikola Jokic is a worthy choice as well, averaging a triple-double (29.5-12.3-10.5) on plus-14.5 relative true shooting and ranking second in Estimated Plus-Minus (plus-9.5). These two all-time greats will battle for the top spot throughout the season but Gilgeous-Alexander has leveled up again and is deserving of a second-straight MVP trophy.
Honorable Mentions: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic
🔒 Defensive Player Of The Year: Chet Holmgren
Wembanyama’s otherworldly defensive start deserves recognition, despite him already missing 12 games. But that gap opens the door for Holmgren’s first trophy. He’s the backstop of Oklahoma City’s all-time defense, currently sitting 12.5 points better than league average. Offenses struggle to score at the rim, let alone find paths to the paint against OKC, and opponents attempt 2.5 percent fewer shots at the hoop with Holmgren in the game.
Among high-minutes players (min. 500 minutes), he ranks fifth in blocks (2.5) and sixth in rim points saved per 100 possessions (2.2). Those numbers aren’t eye-popping but his influence is still clear on a special defense in a year without tons of excellent Defensive Player of the Year candidates.
Bam Adebayo is a strong choice, though, anchoring the Miami Heat’s fourth-ranked defense. He’s an impenetrable individual defender and the Heat defense improves by 4.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, often carrying offensively slanted lineups.
Honorable Mentions: Bam Adebayo, Victor Wembanyama
👶 Rookie Of The Year: Kon Knueppel
The leader of our most recent Rookie Ladder, Dylan Harper, isn’t on pace to meet eligibility requirements for postseason awards, already missing 10 games. That vaults the runner-up, Knueppel, to the top of the Rookie of the Year race after a stellar start to his career. He leads all rookies in per-game scoring (18.6 points per game) on plus-3.4 percent true shooting.
If those averages hold, Knueppel would join Jared McCain, Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon, OJ Mayo, Brandon Roy, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Steve Francis as backcourt rookies since 2000 to average 15 or more points per game on at least league-average efficiency. Knueppel is already one of the league’s best shooters, canning 40.3 percent of his nine threes per 75 possessions and 53.1 percent of his midrange shots.
A healthier Harper or progression from Cooper Flagg might flip this award by midseason but Knueppel has been the best rookie through a quarter of the season. He’s ascending toward offensive stardom with the production and impact to earn this tentative Rookie of the Year crown.
Honorable Mentions: Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen
📈 Most Improved Player: Jalen Duren
Duren’s presence as a secondary offensive option for the Detroit Pistons is central to their scorching 20-5 start, scoring on absurd efficiency with increased volume and sturdier defense. He ranks 23rd in Estimated Plus-Minus (Plus-2.8), averaging 18.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on plus-11.8 percent true shooting.
For more on Duren and the rest of the candidates, read our Most Improved Ladder here.
Honorable Mentions: Austin Reaves, Jalen Johnson
🪵 Sixth Man Of The Year: Ajay Mitchell
Injuries derailed a promising start to Mitchell’s rookie campaign but he’s picked up where he left off as one of the NBA’s best reserves. He’s provided critical ball-handling support for an elite Thunder team, especially early on while Jalen Williams missed time, posting 14.2 points, 3.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game on efficiency just below league average.
Mitchell’s slashing and ball security open OKC’s offense, fueled by his excellent burst, footwork and touch. He’s placing in the 75th and 73rd percentile for free-throw attempts (4.4) and rim attempts (5.4), ranking third on the Thunder in drives per game (11.5) behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams.
His plus-2.4 Estimated Plus-Minus is a top-50 mark, fueled by 98th percentile defensive impact. While that overstates his individual influence, he’s been a productive defender, racking up steals, deflections and stops. During his second NBA season, Mitchell is a critical rotation piece for the best team in basketball, contributing on both ends of the floor.
Honorable Mentions: Reed Sheppard, Collin Gillespie
📋 Coach Of The Year: JB Bickerstaff
Two years removed from a historic losing streak as the NBA’s worst team, the Pistons sit atop the Eastern Conference and second league-wide at 20-5. It’s no fluke, as Detroit also boasts a top-five net rating (plus-8.0) and top-two defense (110.8 defensive rating). Bickerstaff brought his team to the playoffs after a 44-win season in 2024-25 and is reaching new heights this year.
Detroit swapped out Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, Simone Fontecchio and Dennis Schroder for Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, Javonte Green and Daniss Jenkins, an offseason many considered lateral for the Pistons. Robinson has helped Bickerstaff unlock offense next to Cade Cunningham. Role players like Jenkins, Paul Reed and Isaiah Stewart are playing some of the best hoops of their careers.
Stewart and Jalen Duren shared a front-court for eight total minutes last season. But that double-big duo has been a staple of the 2025-26 season, producing a massive plus-15.6 net rating during their 158 minutes together. Bickerstaff’s willingness to adapt, ascend his team to a higher tier and make the most of Detroit’s talent all point toward his influence, worthy of the award after his second-place finish last season.
Honorable Mentions: Darko Rajakovic, Joe Mazzulla
All stats accurate prior to games played on Dec. 13.
