2025 NBA Award Predictions

Published: 04/04/2025 12:00 am  

NBA 2025 Awards Predictions

By Quick Sports Chat Staff

As we near the end of the 2025 NBA regular season, the race for the league’s individual awards is heating up. With some clear frontrunners and a few surprise names rising to the top, here’s who we believe deserves the league’s highest honors this year.

Defensive Player of the Year: Evan Mobley

With Victor Wembanyama sidelined for the season, the door opened for another young defensive anchor to step up, and Evan Mobley has delivered. At 6'11", Mobley combines elite rim protection with the foot speed and switchability of a wing, making him one of the league’s most versatile defenders.

The Cavaliers are sitting atop the Eastern Conference with 60 wins, their highest total since the LeBron era, and Mobley’s impact on that success can’t be overstated. Cleveland ranks among the top 10 in defensive rating, and Mobley’s ability to anchor the paint while also switching onto perimeter threats is the key to that identity. His length, IQ, and motor make him the clear favorite to take home DPOY honors.

Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle

After a quiet start to the season, Stephon Castle has turned things around in a major way. Since the calendar flipped to 2025, Castle has averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, posting a solid 53.2 true shooting percentage.

Despite San Antonio’s struggles, especially following Victor Wembanyama’s injury, Castle has emerged as a bright spot for the franchise. He’s shown flashes of star potential and a growing confidence as the season has progressed. In what many consider a weaker rookie class, Castle stands out as the most consistent and dynamic talent, earning our nod for Rookie of the Year.

Sixth Man of the Year: Payton Pritchard

Payton Pritchard has been a spark plug off the bench all season long for a Celtics team that remains one of the league’s elite. While this year’s squad may not feel as dominant as last season’s champions, Boston has been just as good, if not better, and Pritchard’s emergence is a big reason why.

Whenever Boston’s offense stalls, head coach Joe Mazzulla looks to Pritchard to inject energy and scoring. The 26-year-old is averaging a career-high 14 points per game and knocking down 41% of his 7.9 three-point attempts per game. His clutch shot-making and relentless effort have been vital to Boston's success, making him a well-deserving Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

Most Improved Player: Dyson Daniels

The Most Improved Player award has often defaulted to high draft picks making expected sophomore leaps, but Dyson Daniels is redefining that narrative.

Daniels entered the season with modest expectations, but he’s taken a massive step forward on both ends of the court. He’s averaging career highs across the board and currently leads the league in steals with 3.1 per game. Early in the season, he was in serious DPOY conversations, and he’s maintained that elite level of defensive pressure all year.

Daniels isn’t just improved, he’s transformed. The NBA needs to fix this award and do what's right, Daniels’ all-around growth and defensive dominance make him our pick for Most Improved Player.

Want more award picks and playoff predictions? Stick with Quick Sports Chat as we roll into the NBA postseason.