Multiple former Kentucky players among favorites to win NBA Player awards

Kentucky owns the NBA. Yes, the embarrassment of riches that has passed through the halls of the Craft Center should have led to more championship banners in Rupp over the last 15 years, but that is a gripe for another day. Former ‘Cats own the NBA right now in a way that a single college may never duplicate or even come close to mimicking ever again.

Case in point: There is a Kentucky player in the running for every major NBA player award this season and several of them are favored to win it.

Last year, we saw De’Aaron Fox win the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award, but he was the only former ‘Cat to take home any individual hardware. Immanuel Quickley got hosed for 6th Man of the Year, as did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who finished second in the Most Improved Player category.

This year, expect more trophies to land on the selves of former Wildcats.

Most Valuable Player

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished fifth in MVP voting last season and will most likely come in second or third this season. Nikola Jokic is the runaway favorite to win his third NBA MVP after controversially finishing as the runner-up to Joel Embiid in 2023.

Despite likely coming up short, SGA had a monstrous year. He finished the regular season with 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. His rebound and steal numbers set career highs, and he finished second in the league in steals behind De’Aaron Fox.

Sometimes he gets criticism for drawing so many fouls, but Gilgeous-Alexander made 10.1 field goals per game this season, the third most in the league.

Usually, players stay deflective when talking about individual awards, deferring to the team, but not Gilgeous-Alexander. When asked about the MVP Award, SGA said, “I hope I get it, yes. I think all the guys are deserving, all have their case. Whatever happens, happens. Whoever gets it is deserving, for sure.”

The case for Gilgeous-Alexander to win MVP is simple. Not only are his numbers off the chart, but he is by far the most important player on arguably the best team in the league. Where would the Oklahoma City Thunder be if not for SGA? Not winners of the Western Conference, I can tell you that. They likely don’t even make the playoffs. What he has done for OKC this year is uncanny, and if Steve Nash can win back-to-back MVPs over Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James by scoring 15 points per game, then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can win it over Nikola Jokic.

Odds

• Nikola Jokic: -1200
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: +1100
• Luka Doncic: +2000

Most Improved Player

The 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player award is Tyrese Maxey‘s to lose. With reigning MVP Joel Embiid missing a good chunk of time this year with injury and James Harden sulking his way out of yet another city, the Philadelphia 76ers franchise turned the keys over to Tyrese for much of the season.

Maxey averaged career highs in points (25.9), assists (6.2), rebounds (3.7), steals (1.0), and blocks (0.5) this season, not to mention minutes played (37.5). His point total was up over five per game from last season and he had nearly double the assists from a year ago.

His closest competitor for MIP this season is Coby White of the Chicago Bulls, who also saw a big jump in his stats, but did not rise to the level of star Maxey did, who made his first All-Star game this year.

Barring a crazy upset, Tyrese Maxey should be MIP.

Odds

• Tyrese Maxey: -275
• Coby White: +200
• Jalen Williams: +12500

6th Man of the Year

Tyrese Maxey is the favorite to win Most Improved Player, but if Malik Monk were to miss out on 6th Man of the Year, it would be a downright travesty.

Monk was incredible for the Sacramento Kings this season, averaging 15.4 points and 5.1 assists per game, both career highs, all off the bench. For comparison, he served a similar role that Rob Dillingham played for Kentucky this year, a scorer who can come in the game after a handful of minutes and light it up.

Unfortunately, he injured his knee late in the season, putting his playoff availability in serious jeopardy. It is a shame, too, because the Kings are a fun team with three former ‘Cats on the roster. They are due for a deep playoff run, but injuries have plagued them all year.

Monk also had what the NBA called the second-best dunk of the year, as he posterized Kris Dunn off of a steal and assist from his old Kentucky backcourt mate, De’Aaron Fox.

Odds

• Malik Monk: -700
• Naz Reid: +500
• Normal Powell: +4000

Defensive Player of the Year

A former Kentucky player may not win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, but it will likely have two finish in the top five. The clear favorite this year is Rudy Gobert, but All-Stars, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis are right there, tied with the third-best odds to win the hardware.

Davis has seen a resurgence this season after battling injuries the last few years. His 173 blocks rank 4th in the NBA and are his most since the 2017-18 season.

As for Adebayo, he earned his second-career All-Star bid this season and will likely finish in a similar spot when it comes to defensive awards. Bam has been voted 2nd Team All-NBA Defense each of the last four years while also finishing in the top five in Defensive Player of the Year votes during that stretch.

Both Davis and Bam will now represent the United States of America in the Olympics this summer in Paris. My guess is that they will be happy to trade out a Defensive Player of the Year trophy for a gold medal.

Odds

• Rudy Gobert: -1200
• Victor Wembanyama: +700
• Anthony Davis: +10000
• Bam Adebayo: +10000

Clutch Player of the Year

Do you want another reason Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should win MVP? He is the third favorite to win Clutch Player of the Year.

He likely won’t win it, as this one is seen as a two-horse race between Steph Curry and DeMar DeRozan, but the fact he is even considered in the conversation should bump him over Jokic in MVP votes, in my opinion.

The NBA considers clutch time under two minutes or in overtime when the game is within five points. SGA averaged 3.3 points in the clutch this season in 34 qualifying games and shot an incredible 58.1 percent from the field during this crucial time. He also led his team to a 23-11 record in these close contests, once again, elevating his star power.

Kentucky players won’t repeat in this category, but SGA made sure to leave a big blue mark on it.

Odds

• Stephen Curry: -150
• DeMar DeRozan: +110
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: +2900

Rookie of the Year

No one is going to beat Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year this season, although Chet Holmgren gave it a shot. These players were by far the best rookies all season and it wasn’t particularly close.

That being said, Cason Wallace had a sneaky efficient first year in the NBA. The former Kentucky guard played significant minutes for the regular season Western Conference champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. He played in all 82 games, started 13, and finished the season averaging 6.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per game.

While the numbers might not blow you away, he played his role well all season as a solid, reliable defender and someone who can knock down the open shot. Wallace knocked down 41.9 percent of his 3-point attempts, making him a tremendous 3-and-D guy.

Look for his stock to continue to skyrocket as his career marches on, just like you can anticipate Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard in the mix for Rookie of the Year in 2025.

Odds

• Victor Wembanyama: -5000
• Chet Holmgren: +2000
• Ausar Thompson: +10000
• Julian Strawther: +20000
• Cason Wallace: +25000