By: Mark Luo

Stats taken up to date as of December 19th 2024

As we near the midpoint of the NBA season, there has already been a ton of action in the league, with standout performances, rising stars, and plenty of surprise performances. This raises the question: which players have set themselves apart from the rest so far? While it's still very early, clear frontrunners are already emerging for the league’s major awards. Here's a breakdown of the leading candidates, their performances, and what sets them apart from the field.

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Nikola Jokić

Coming into the season, we all knew that Nikola Jokić was going to be in the MVP conversation. However, many speculated that voter fatigue would prevent him from reclaiming the award unless he produces an undeniable, all-time great performance this season. That’s exactly what he’s delivered so far.

Somehow, in some way, the Joker can level up his game even further every season. He is essentially averaging a 30-point triple-double with 30.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game while shooting an absurd 55.8% from the field and 48.9% from three. The numbers speak for themselves, but what’s more impressive is how he’s single-handedly keeping the Denver Nuggets afloat. With much of his supporting cast underperforming, Jokić’s ability to control the offense, grab rebounds, and hit clutch shots has carried Denver to key wins. If he wins his fourth MVP award this season, he will join a generational group including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Lebron James, cementing himself as one of the all-time NBA greats.

Honorable Mention(s):

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): After a 2-8 start to the season from the Bucks, Giannis has dragged them to a winning record, as they continue to climb the standings in the East. He is currently leading the league in scoring with around 33 PPG and is still a monster on the defensive end. Being the MVP of the NBA Cup is helping his case, but that still does not detract from the fact that the Bucks are still not off to an ideal start to this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder): Shai continues to cement his place in the league as a superstar, putting up over 30 points per game while leading the #1-seeded Thunder in the West. His offensive output and his leadership have been great so far, but Jokić's historic production gives him the edge for now.

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Victor Wembanyama

Source: Thearon W. Henderson. Getty Images.

In just his second year, Victor Wembanyama has already established himself as one of the most dominant defensive forces in the league. The 7’4” star leads the NBA with 3.5 blocks per game. Wemby is a perfect blend of size, athleticism, and defensive instinct. His skills and impact on the defensive end go beyond the box score. His height, absurd wingspan, and mobility allow him to guard both the rim and the perimeter effectively, making him the definition of a versatile defender. The Spurs' defensive on/off metrics significantly improve when Wembanyama is on the court. The Spurs with Wemby has had a 113.8 defensive rating so far this season, but in games that he has missed, the team’s rating drops to an abysmal 118.9 defensive rating, which puts them near dead last in the league.

Honorable Mention(s):

Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers): Mobley anchors the Cavaliers' defense, which currently ranks among the league’s best. He is also among the league leaders in defense metrics so far this season, and his presence is felt whenever he’s on the court. This in combination with the Cavs’ early success makes him another strong contender in the DPOY race so far.

Rookie of the Year (ROTY): Stephon Castle

Despite an underwhelming rookie class this year, the Rookie of the Year race so far has been very interesting. Currently, Stephon Castle from the Spurs is the front-runner for the award, as he has shown flashes of brilliance with around 11.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. He has also shown to be a strong defender, with good defensive instincts and the ability to make plays in key moments down the stretch, which has helped keep the Spurs somewhat competitive throughout the season so far. While his shooting splits are less efficient, he has strong upside on the offensive end and has the potential to be a great player. There is still a lot of room for him to grow as a player for the rest of the season to come.

Honorable Mention(s):

Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers): Taken 16th overall in the draft, McCain has far exceeded expectations, averaging 15.3 points per game on impressive 46/38/87 shooting splits in just 26 minutes per game. His production has stood out among the rest of his draft class. Unfortunately, McCain’s recent torn meniscus has put him out indefinitely, which hurts his candidacy for the award.

Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers): Knecht brought his name into the race during his amazing stretch in the second half of November, where he averaged just under 19 PPG while playing over 31 minutes per game, stepping up in the absence of Rui Hachimura. His production has dropped off a bit since then, as he is now averaging around 10.8 points, but he has already established himself as a valuable piece for the Lakers’ rotation thus far already.

Most Improved Player (MIP): Jalen Williams

The OKC Thunder have faced a lot of injuries this year. With many players out since the start of the season, the Thunder needed someone to step up, and Jalen Williams has done just that. JDub’s numbers have gotten better and better each season, improving in virtually every statistical category. He is putting up career numbers this season with around 22/6/5 on a very efficient 50% FG and 38% from 3. Williams has also been very strong on the defensive end, ranking third in the league in steals per game. He is a huge contributing factor as to why the Thunder have the best record in the Western Conference. If Williams can maintain his production and stay healthy, he has a very strong case to take the award this year.

Honorable Mention(s):

Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic): Wagner’s breakout season has been a tremendous factor in the Orlando Magic’s strong start. The 23-year-old small forward has increased his scoring to 24.4 points per game, a jump of about 5 points from last year, while still maintaining great shooting efficiency. Wagner’s playmaking has taken a leap, as his assist numbers have gone up, and his on-court decision-making has improved from the eye test as well. Unfortunately, he was sidelined recently with a torn oblique, and like McCain’s case, hurts his candidacy going forward.

Sixth Man of the Year (6MOY): Payton Pritchard

Payton Pritchard has emerged as a key spark off the bench for the Boston Celtics. He’s averaging 16.5 points per game while shooting a very efficient 48/43/84. He isn’t just getting it done as a sixth man, he is one of the best volume three-point shooters this season. His 43% from three is the highest amongst players who have attempted over 200 threes. His sharpshooting and energy make him a frontrunner for 6MOY, and potentially even for MIP. This leap in production is even more remarkable considering that just two years ago, he was seeking a trade for a larger role.

Honorable Mention(s):

Amen Thompson has been essential to the Rocket’s strong defensive season. He has been one of the strong anchors of a top 5 defensive team so far this year. His athleticism and physicality give him the skills to stay in front of elite offensive players. Although his shot is still lacking, he has also slowly improved on the offensive end, making great cuts toward the basket and creating strong options for his teammates once they get into the paint.

Coach of the Year (COTY): Kenny Atkinson

Kenny Atkinson has revitalized the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading them to a #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the best record in the NBA so far. The Cavs are still a strong defensive team like last season, boasting a 112.1 defensive rating, but their biggest improvement has come from their offense, where they currently hold the best offensive rating in the league with 121.3. Since winning NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November, he has been widely praised for bringing the best out of the talented players in the team and building strong chemistry.

Honorable Mention(s):

Ime Udoka (Houston Rockets): Udoka has coached the team to a complete turnaround in Houston. The Rockets currently hold a 17-9 record and sit 3rd in the Western Conference, which is a massive improvement from the .500 record they had last year. Udoka’s emphasis on defense and discipline has turned the Rockets into serious playoff contenders.