By Zach Harper | The Athletic, 2026-02-12 10:30:59
在常规赛结束前的每一周，我们都会盘点各大个人奖项的竞争态势。本周，我们将从“年度最佳新秀”开始，看看谁才应该是目前的领跑者。
以下是“奖项观察”的运作方式：自 2019 年以来，我一直是被选中参与年度奖项投票的媒体成员之一。我非常看重这份荣誉，并竭力挑选出我认为最当之无愧的球员。由于投票是公开的，我也不想因为投出一张荒谬的票而沦为经久不衰的笑柄。我认为这种分析是对我个人想法/研究以及《The Athletic》其他作者和读者所提交意见的一次很好检验。
正如互联网上所有类型的排名和观点一样，我确信这会迎来大家的一致认可和握手言欢，而不是大声嚷嚷和人身攻击。如果你有不同意见，请在评论区留言。首先，让我们先把这些事情说明白：
- 是的，我看比赛。
- 是的，我看过数据。
- 不，我不讨厌那位球员。
- 不，我不讨厌那支球队。
- 如果你有不同意见并想吐槽我，尽管放马过来。只要试着提出一个站得住脚的论点就行。我对你对主队或心仪球员的偏见不太感兴趣，但我对那些我可能遗漏或考虑不足的视角非常感兴趣。对于这些奖项，我的宗旨是尽可能获取更多信息和观点。
- 在每个奖项板块，我会给出我的评选标准，同时兼顾我的想法以及我认为该奖项在历史上投票时所强调的重点。
- 别忘了 65 场比赛规则 ！单赛季出场不满 65 场的球员将没有资格参选 MVP、年度最佳防守球员或进步最快球员。
让我们进入正题。（赔率和统计数据截至周三比赛前。）
年度最佳新秀 (Rookie of the Year)
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两名荣誉提名： 塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward)，孟菲斯灰熊 | 德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen)，新奥尔良鹈鹕
3. VJ·艾奇科姆 (VJ Edgecombe)，费城 76 人（夺奖赔率 +8000）
2. 康·克内佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)，夏洛特黄蜂（夺奖赔率 +600）
1. 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)，达拉斯独行侠（夺奖赔率 -1000）
无意冒犯艾奇科姆或其他希望参与角逐的球员，但在克内佩尔和弗拉格之外，基本没人有机会挤进前两名。艾奇科姆在其他大多数年份都会是强有力的竞争者，但现在让我们把目光集中在弗拉格和克内佩尔身上。
目前，赔率大幅倾向于 2025 年选秀中无可争议的状元秀。没有一个选秀专家曾试图“整活”去讨论把迪兰·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)、艾斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey)、艾奇科姆或克内佩尔放在首位。弗拉格自始至终都是热门，即便对于一支并不缺乏前锋的独行侠队来说也是如此。但是，选秀前关于克内佩尔赛场表现的质疑，基本上都被他在场上的实际发挥回击了。
在这个奖项的争夺中，所有的资金都流向了弗拉格，但这并不意味着投票结果也会如出一辙。当我与 NBA 圈内人士（包括从业人员和报道人员）交流时，弗拉格是公认的赢家，但克内佩尔的表现也让很多人在做决定前陷入沉思。让我们拆解一下这场竞争实际上有多激烈：
- 得分： 弗拉格场均 20.4 分 | 克内佩尔场均 18.9 分。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 篮板： 弗拉格场均 6.6 个 | 克内佩尔场均 5.5 个。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 助攻： 弗拉格场均 4.1 次 | 克内佩尔场均 3.5 次。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 抢断： 弗拉格场均 1.2 次 | 克内佩尔场均 0.7 次。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 盖帽： 弗拉格场均 0.8 次 | 克内佩尔场均 0.2 次。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 失误： 弗拉格场均 2.2 次 | 克内佩尔场均 2.2 次。 优势： 无。
- 出场数与分钟： 弗拉格 49 场，场均 34.1 分钟 | 克内佩尔 52 场，场均 32.2 分钟。
- 投篮命中率： 弗拉格 48.2% | 克内佩尔 48.5%。 优势： 克内佩尔。
- 三分命中率： 弗拉格 30.2% | 克内佩尔 42.8%。 优势： 克内佩尔。
- 罚球命中率： 弗拉格 80.4% | 克内佩尔 89.9%。 优势： 克内佩尔。
- 场上影响力： 弗拉格在场时每百回合净负 4.1 分 | 克内佩尔在场时每百回合净负 0.6 分。 优势： 克内佩尔。
场上影响力这一指标包含太多杂音，必须谨慎参考。此外，克内佩尔的三分出手次数是弗拉格的两倍多，但弗拉格场均比他多出近两次罚球。这些因素都应计入基础数据中，而且克内佩尔的失误率比弗拉格更高。不过如你所见，克内佩尔的数据在整体上构成了非常有趣的挑战。虽然团队成功很少成为最佳新秀的考量因素，但对于那些犹豫不决的人来说，这可能会成为最终的胜负手。黄蜂队目前势头强劲，以 25 胜 29 负排名东部第 10。而独行侠队在经历了诸多自找的动荡后，战绩仅为 19 胜 34 负，排名不断下滑，目前位居西部第 12。
所有类别的差距都很接近。显然，弗拉格的名气更大。但克内佩尔正处于一个很好的上升期，且球队战绩更好。如果独行侠继续坠落，而黄蜂在克内佩尔的帮助下继续攀升，那么无论今天的博彩赔率如何，我们在四月份可能会看到一个票数非常胶着的结果。
最有价值球员 (MVP)
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濒临失去资格： 尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)，丹佛掘金（缺阵 16 场） | 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)，圣安东尼奥马刺（缺阵 14 场） | 斯蒂芬·库里 (Steph Curry)，金州勇士（缺阵 15 场）
已失去资格： 扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo)，密尔沃基雄鹿（缺阵超过 17 场）
五名荣誉提名： 泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey)，费城 76 人 | 斯蒂芬·库里，金州勇士 | 卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić)，洛杉矶湖人 | 安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards)，明尼苏达森林狼 | 杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)，纽约尼克斯
5. 维克托·文班亚马，马刺（无赔率，此前为荣誉提名）
4. 杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)，波士顿凯尔特人（夺奖赔率 +4000）
3. 凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham)，底特律活塞（夺奖赔率 +1600）
我觉得非常有趣的是，文班亚马没有出现在 MVP 的赔率榜上，却出现在了年度最佳防守球员的榜单中。这两个奖项都遵循 65 场比赛规则，虽然他缺席了 14 场，但他近来非常健康，且表现堪称疯狂。如下文所示，博彩赔率看好他获得最佳防守球员。马刺目前排名西部第二。文班在场均 28.9 分钟内能贡献 24.4 分、11.1 个篮板、2.7 次助攻和 2.7 次盖帽，真实命中率高达 62.5%。凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 甚至都有 +100000 的赔率！而文班却没能入围？我觉得这非常奇怪。
2. 尼古拉·约基奇，丹佛掘金（夺奖赔率 +300）
1. 谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)，俄克拉荷马城雷霆（夺奖赔率 -210）
前两名候选人之间的赔率已经有所缩小。上周我写到约基奇的回归让他重新回到了博彩名单中，并大幅缩小了差距。约基奇回归后参加了每一场比赛（本赛季他只能再缺席一场才能保持资格），而谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大因腹部伤势将缺席一段时间。他已经连续缺席了四场比赛，并将缺阵到全明星周末之后，届时将重新评估伤情。约基奇在出场时展现出的赛季表现更为惊人，但他因膝伤缺阵了太久。感觉即使他重获资格，也不足以让他回到领跑者的位置。他与吉尔杰斯-亚历山大之间曾有 14 场的出场差。现在，差距缩小到了 10 场。对于约基奇那惊人的赛场表现来说，这个场次差可能仍然太多了，难以追赶，尤其是考虑到吉尔杰斯-亚历山大自己在场上的表现也绝非等闲之辈。但差距正在缩小，博彩赔率也反映了这一点。
年度最佳防守球员 (Defensive Player of the Year)
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濒临失去资格： 文班亚马 | 科怀·伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard)，洛杉矶快船（缺阵 13 场）
已失去资格： 安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis)，华盛顿奇才（缺阵超过 17 场）
两名荣誉提名： 斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes)，多伦多猛龙 | 阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson)，休斯顿火箭
3. 鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert)，明尼苏达森林狼（夺奖赔率 +1600，此前排名第二）
2. 切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)，雷霆（夺奖赔率 +250，此前排名第三）
1. 维克托·文班亚马，马刺（夺奖赔率 -250）
既然文班亚马已经回归，且很有可能符合 65 场比赛规则（祈祷他保持健康），我们只会看到这位马刺球星与霍姆格伦之间的差距越拉越大。事实上，文班亚马与任何可能冲到第二名的人之间的鸿沟都会增大。戈贝尔正在经历一个出色的防守赛季，但博彩赔率让他看起来在这场讨论中几乎无足轻重。任何获得荣誉提名的球员也都望尘莫及。博彩赔率并不总是直接反映投票者的最终投票意向。文班亚马必须在防守端持续输出，但他目前的表现确实不可思议。如果一个月后，我们看到他夺冠的赔率降到 -1000 左右，我也不会感到惊讶。
年度最佳第六人 (Sixth Man of the Year)
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两名荣誉提名： 柯林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie)，凤凰城太阳 | 阿杰伊·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell)，雷霆
3. 小海梅·哈克斯 (Jaime Jaquez Jr.)，迈阿密热火（夺奖赔率 +500，此前为荣誉提名）
2. 纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid)，明尼苏达森林狼（夺奖赔率 +175，此前排名第一）
1. 凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson)，马刺（夺奖赔率 +300，此前排名第三）
二月份的低迷开局让里德跌出了榜首位置。而约翰逊则继续打出稳定的表现。他在马刺队中基本上扮演着强力前锋的角色，即便三分球命中率不像赛季初那么亮眼，他在场上的得分和篮板稳定性也几乎无人能敌。米切尔由于伤病本周跌出了前三，而他此前几乎整个赛季都是我最看好的获奖人选。哈克斯顶替了他的位置，他在迈阿密的表现非常出色，从大二赛季初期的低迷中完美反弹。虽然他在二月初也经历了一段艰难时期，但他整个赛季的表现都让他处于领跑梯队。
凯尔登·约翰逊在对阵休斯顿火箭球员里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard) 时轻松拿下一球。(Thomas Shea / Imagn Images)
年度最佳教练 (Coach of the Year)
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两名荣誉提名： 乔丹·奥特 (Jordan Ott)，太阳 | 乔·马祖拉 (Joe Mazzulla)，凯尔特人
3. J.B. 比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff)，活塞（夺奖赔率 -135，此前为荣誉提名）
2. 查尔斯·李 (Charles Lee)，黄蜂（夺奖赔率 +1600，此前为荣誉提名）
1. 米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson)，马刺（夺奖赔率 +900）
尽管黄蜂队的九连胜在追平 10 场的队史纪录前被终结了，但他们仍是过去两个月 NBA 最精彩的故事之一。那么，我们如何看待查尔斯·李凭借赛季中期的逆袭夺取该奖项？目前有四位教练（比克斯塔夫、马祖拉、奥特和约翰逊）的夺奖赔率更高，查尔斯·李在赔率榜上与丹佛的大卫·阿德尔曼 (David Adelman) 持平。但我很好奇，当到了投票时间时，关于“摆烂问题”的讨论是否会提升李的竞选声势。黄蜂队曾表现糟糕，本可以顺势继续摆烂争夺另一个高位选秀权，但他们选择了认真对待整个赛季去竞争。他们离附加赛第 7 名对阵第 8 名的席位并不遥远，这可能足以让李带走这座奖杯。
进步最快球员 (Most Improved Player)
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两名荣誉提名： 安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black)，奥兰多魔术 | 杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)，老鹰
3. 瑞安·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)，密尔沃基雄鹿（夺奖赔率 +5000，此前未提及）
2. 基昂特·乔治 (Keyonte George)，犹他爵士（夺奖赔率 +900）
1. 德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)，波特兰开拓者（夺奖赔率 -125）
脚踝伤势，加上爵士队采取了极端且“富有创意”的摆烂策略，最终可能会让乔治失去争夺该奖项的机会。他经历了一个伟大的赛季，但如果赛季因伤缩短，且在剩余比赛中出场不多，可能不足以让他从新晋全明星阿夫迪亚手中抢走奖杯。我一直想在这个板块重点提到的是雄鹿队的罗林斯。上个赛季有一些迹象表明罗林斯或许能在联盟立足，但当时他还没展现出现在的这种特质。在本赛季之前，他职业生涯中仅有 15 次得分上双，且全部发生在 2024-25 赛季。他曾两次得分突破 20。而现在，他在保持投篮命中率高效的同时，场均贡献 16.9 分，且仅有三次得分未能上双。他必须进入讨论范围。
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由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel locked in Rookie of the Year showdown: NBA Awards Watch
Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel locked in Rookie of the Year showdown: NBA Awards Watch
Each week through the end of the regular season, we’ll check in on where I think the major individual awards races stand. This week, we’ll start with Rookie of the Year and figure out who our leader should be there.
Here’s how the Awards Watch shakes out: Since 2019, I have been one of the media members selected to vote on the annual awards. It’s an honor that I take very seriously, as I strive to select the players I believe are most deserving. With it being public, I also don’t want to end up getting meme’d to eternity for casting a ridiculous vote. I like this analysis as a pretty good gauge of my thoughts/research and those opinions submitted by other writers and readers of The Athletic.
As is the case with all types of rankings and opinions on the internet, I’m sure this will be met with agreements and handshakes rather than yelling and name-calling. If you have a differing opinion, drop those in the comments. Let’s just get this out of the way first:
- Yes, I watch the games.
- Yes, I have looked at the numbers.
- No, I don’t hate that player.
- No, I don’t hate that team.
- If you have a differing opinion and want to roast me, by all means, have at it. Just try to have a point that makes sense. I’m less interested in your bias toward your favorite player or team, but I am very interested in a possible perspective that I have missed or haven’t considered enough. I’m all about acquiring as much information and as many opinions as possible for these awards.
- With each award section, I’m going to give my criteria for how it should be considered while taking my thoughts and what I feel the award has historically emphasized in voting into consideration.
- Don’t forget the 65-game rule! Players who don’t get to 65 games in a season are not eligible for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year or Most Improved Player.
Let’s get into it. (Odds and stats are entering Wednesday’s games.)
Rookie of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies | Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
**3. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers (+8000 to win)****2. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (+600 to win)**1. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (-1000 to win)
No offense to Edgecombe or anybody else hoping to be in the mix, but there is no chance anybody is cracking into the top two spots outside of Knueppel and Flagg. Edgecombe would be a viable candidate in most other years, but let’s focus on Flagg and Knueppel.
Currently, the odds are heavily favoring the unquestioned No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. Not for a second did any draft people try to get cute and start talking about picking Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey or Edgecombe or Knueppel at the top. It was Flagg all the way, even for a Mavericks team that didn’t need more forwards. But pre-draft questions about Knueppel’s game have essentially been scoffed at by his on-court play.
All of the money has flooded toward Flagg in this awards race, but that doesn’t mean the votes will shake out the same way. Flagg is the presumed winner when I talk to people around the NBA (both working in it and covering it), but Knueppel has a lot of people pausing before they decide. Let’s break down how close this race might actually be:
- **Scoring:**20.4 points per game for Flagg | 18.9 points per game for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Flagg.
- **Rebounds:**6.6 per game for Flagg | 5.5 per game for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Flagg.
- **Assists:**4.1 per game for Flagg | 3.5 per game for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Flagg.
- Steals: 1.2 per game for Flagg | 0.7 per game for Knueppel. Advantage: Flagg.
- Blocks: 0.8 per game for Flagg | 0.2 per game for Knueppel**. Advantage:**Flagg.
- **Turnovers:**2.2 per game for Flagg | 2.2 per game for Knueppel. Advantage: None.
- **Games and minutes played:**49 games, 34.1 minutes per game for Flagg | 52 games, 32.2 minutes per game for Flagg.
- **Field goal percentage:**48.2 percent for Flagg | 48.5 percent for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Knueppel.
- **3-point percentage:**30.2 percent for Flagg | 42.8 percent for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Knueppel.
- Free-throw percentage: 80.4 percent for Flagg | 89.9 percent for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Knueppel.
- Impact on the floor: minus-4.1 points per 100 possessions with Flagg | minus-0.6 points per 100 possessions with Knueppel. **Advantage:**Knueppel
The impact-on-the-floor metric has so much noise in it, and you have to take it with a giant grain of salt. Also, Knueppel takes more than twice as many 3-pointers as Flagg, but Flagg attempts nearly two more free throws per game. That stuff should be factored into the raw numbers, and Knueppel has a higher turnover rate than Flagg. As you can see, though, Knueppel’s numbers put up a very interesting fight overall. And while team success has rarely factored into Rookie of the Year, it might end up becoming a tiebreaker for anybody who is torn. The Hornets have surged ahead, sitting 25-29 and 10th in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks, having gone through plenty of self-inflicted turmoil, are just 19-34, falling in the standings and sitting 12th in the West.
All of the categories are pretty close. Flagg has the bigger name recognition, obviously. But Knueppel is surging at a good time with his team. If the Mavs keep plummeting and the Hornets continue to climb with Knueppel’s help, we may see a pretty split vote in April, no matter what the betting odds say today.
MVP
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On-track to be ineligible: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (missed 16 games) | Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (missed 14 games) | Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors (missed 15)
Ineligible: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (missed more than 17 games)
Five honorable mentions: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers | Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors | Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers | Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves | Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
**5. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs (no betting odds, previously honorable mention)****4. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (+4000 to win)**3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+1600 to win)
I find it fascinating that Wembanyama is not on the board for MVP, but he’s on the board for Defensive Player of the Year. Both awards adhere to the 65-game rule, and while he has missed 14 games, he’s been very healthy as of late, and he’s playing out of his mind. As you’ll see below, the betting odds favor him for Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs are second in the West. Wemby is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocks in 28.9 minutes with a 62.5 percent true shooting. Kevin Durant is even on the board at +100000 odds! Wemby doesn’t make it into the mix? I find that very strange.
**2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (+300 to win)**1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (-210 to win)
The odds have closed here a bit with the top two candidates for the award. Last week, I wrote about how the return of Jokić put him back on the betting board, and he had closed a dramatic gap. Jokić has played every game since returning (he can only miss one more game this season and remain eligible), and Gilgeous-Alexander is missing some time with an abdominal injury. He’s missed four consecutive games and will sit through the All-Star break. That’s when he’ll be re-evaluated. Jokić has had the more impressive season on the court when he’s played, but he missed so much time with that knee injury. It felt like even a return to eligibility wouldn’t put him back in the favorite position. There was a 14-game difference between him and Gilgeous-Alexander. Now, it’s down to a 10-game difference. That might still be too many games for Jokić’s amazing play to overcome, especially with Gilgeous-Alexander being no joke on the court himself. But the gap is narrowing, and the betting odds are reflecting that.
Defensive Player of the Year
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On-track to be ineligible: Wembanyama | Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers (missed 13 games)
Ineligible: Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards (missed more than 17 games)
Two honorable mentions: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors | Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
3. **Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (+1600 to win, previously second)**2. **Chet Holmgren, Thunder (+250 to win, previously third)**1. Wembanyama, Spurs (-250 to win)
Now that Wembanyama is back and will likely qualify under the 65-game rule (knock on wood), we’re only going to see this gap widen between the Spurs star and Holmgren. Actually, that gulf will grow between Wembanyama and anybody who could find their way into second place. Gobert is having an excellent defensive season, and the betting odds make him look borderline irrelevant in the discussion. Anybody qualifying for honorable mention won’t come close either. Betting odds don’t just outright reflect how the voters will actually vote. Wembanyama has to continue to deliver on that end of the court, but he’s playing incredible defense. It wouldn’t shock me if a month from now, we’re looking at his odds being around -1000 to win the award.
Sixth Man of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns | Ajay Mitchell, Thunder
3. **Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat (+500 to win, previously honorable mention)**2. **Naz Reid, Timberwolves (+175 to win, previously first)**1. Keldon Johnson, Spurs (+300, previously third)
A pretty cold start to February knocks Reid out of the top spot. And Johnson continues to play consistent basketball. He essentially plays like a bruising forward for the Spurs, and even though the 3-point shot isn’t falling as it did earlier in the season, he’s been about as consistent as it comes at making shots and grabbing boards in his time on the court. Mitchell’s injury knocks him out of the top three this week, and he has been one of my favorites to win the award most of the season. Jaquez takes his place in the top three, and he’s been so good for Miami. He’s bounced back perfectly from his poor sophomore showing. He’s had a tough start to February, as well, but his play all season long has him heavily in the running.
Keldon Johnson puts home an easy two points against Houston’s Reed Sheppard. (Thomas Shea / Imagn Images)
Coach of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Jordan Ott, Suns | Joe Mazzulla, Celtics
**3. J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons (-135 to win, previously honorable mention)****2. Charles Lee, Hornets (+1600 to win, previously honorable mention)**1. Mitch Johnson, Spurs (+900 to win)
Even though the Hornets had their nine-game winning streak snapped before they could tie the franchise record of 10, they’ve been one of the best stories in the NBA the last two months. So, how do we feel about Lee winning the award for a midseason turnaround? There are four coaches (Bickerstaff, Mazzulla, Ott and Johnson) with better odds to win, and Lee is tied with Denver’s David Adelman on the board. But I’m curious if the tanking problem boosts the narrative surrounding Lee’s candidacy when it gets down to voting time. The Hornets were awful and could have easily leaned into that for another high draft choice. Instead, they chose to take the entire season seriously to compete. They’re not far off from being in the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup in the Play-In Tournament, and that could be enough for Lee to take the award.
Most Improved Player
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Two honorable mentions: Anthony Black, Orlando Magic | Jalen Johnson, Hawks
**3. Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks (+5000 to win, previously not mentioned)****2. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz (+900 to win)**1. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (-125 to win)
This ankle injury, plus the Jazz going to extreme and inventive tanking procedures, could end up knocking George out of the race for this award. He’s had a great season, but if it’s cut short and he doesn’t play many games the rest of the way, it probably won’t be enough to get him the award over newly minted All-Star Avdija. Someone I’ve been meaning to highlight and mention more in this space is Rollins in Milwaukee. There were some glimpses that maybe Rollins could stick around in the league last season, but this type of player did not really present itself. He scored in double-digits 15 times in his career before this season, all of them happening in the 2024-25 campaign. He broke 20 twice. Now, he’s averaging 16.9 points without losing any efficiency in his shooting percentages, and he’s failed to score in double figures only three times. He has to be in the mix.
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By Zach Harper, via The Athletic