By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic are finalists for the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also a candidate.
The NBA revealed three nominees for the MVP of the 2024-25 Regular Season on Sunday, alongside the respective options for the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Kia NBA Most Improved Player, Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year, and NBA Coach of the Year awards.
In addition to the Greek and Serbian superstars of the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets, French Zaccharie Risacher is a finalist for the Rookie of the Year distinction and Croatian Ivica Zubac is in the running for the Most Improved Player nod. Also, Jokic entered the Clutch Player of the Year list.
Finalists 2024-25 NBA season awards
Kia NBA Most Valuable Player
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Kia NBA Rookie of the Year
- Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
- Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
- Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
- Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kia NBA Most Improved Player
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
- Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers
Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons
- Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
NBA Coach of the Year
- Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
- J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
- Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
The winners will be announces over the next few weeks, alongside the Kia All-NBA Teams, Kia All-Rookie Teams, Kia All-Defensive Team, NBA Basketball Executive of the Year, NBA Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year, NBA Hustle Award, NBA Social Justice Champion, NBA Sportsmanship Award, and J. Walker Kennedy Citizenship Award (Professional Basketball Writers Association).