Forecasting NBA award winners for the 2022-23 season

The NBA is set to begin its 2022-23 season soon and fans are already speculating on who will take home the various awards. From the Most Valuable Player to Rookie of the Year, the NBA features a number of highly competitive awards that are highly sought after by players and fans alike. In this article, we will take a look at some of the leading contenders for each of the major awards and make some predictions on who is most likely to come out on top.

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic has quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league, and he seems poised to take another leap forward in the 2022-23 season. With a new head coach in Jason Kidd, who was known for his playmaking ability during his own playing career, the Mavericks will likely rely even more on Doncic to run their offense. If he can continue to put up eye-popping numbers while leading his team to a top-four seed in the Western Conference, he'll be the clear favorite for MVP.

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Rudy Gobert has won this award in two of the last three seasons, and there's no reason to think he won't be in the running again in 2022-23. He's a dominant force in the paint, blocking shots and altering others on a nightly basis, and his presence alone makes the Jazz one of the league's best defensive teams. If he can continue to anchor Utah's defense while staying healthy, he'll be tough to beat for the DPOY award.

Rookie of the Year (ROY): Jalen Green, Houston Rockets

Jalen Green was one of the most exciting prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft, and he landed in a perfect situation with the Houston Rockets. With the departure of James Harden, the Rockets are in rebuilding mode, and Green will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his scoring ability. He's an explosive athlete with a deadly outside shot, and if he can put up big numbers as a rookie while leading Houston to some victories, he'll be the favorite for ROY.

Most Improved Player (MIP): Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns

Deandre Ayton took a big step forward in the 2021 playoffs, helping lead the Suns to the NBA Finals with his dominant play in the paint. He's already one of the league's best rebounders and interior defenders, but if he can continue to develop his offensive game and become a more consistent scoring threat, he'll be a strong candidate for MIP. With Phoenix expected to be a top team in the Western Conference again in 2022-23, Ayton will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his improved game.

Coach of the Year (COY): Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat

Erik Spoelstra has already won two NBA championships as head coach of the Miami Heat, but he could add another piece of hardware to his collection in 2022-23. After a disappointing season in 2021, the Heat retooled their roster in the offseason, adding veterans like Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker to go along with their young core. If Spoelstra can get all the pieces to fit together and lead Miami back to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, he'll likely be a top contender for Coach of the Year (COY) in the NBA for the 2022-23 season.

Spoelstra has a proven track record of success with the Miami Heat organization, having served as head coach since 2008. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to adapt and maximize the talent at his disposal, and the addition of experienced players like Lowry and Tucker to the roster provides him with even more tools to work with.