NBA Predictions 2024-25: Who wins MVP? Rookie of the Year? Our experts make their picks

With the 2024-25 NBA season about to tip off, it’s time to make predictions! Who will win individual awards this year? Our writers weigh in.

Check out our championship predictions here.

Who will be the Rookie of the Year?

Dan Devine: Reed Sheppard. As tempting as it was to pick Zach Edey as the Day 1 starting center on a team with title aspirations, I’m banking on Sheppard’s combination of knockdown shooting, pick-and-roll playmaking and turnover-generating on-ball defense to break through the roster logjam in Houston, earning him big minutes to rack up big production and help propel the Rockets back into the postseason.

Kevin O’Connor: Zach Edey. Edey will play a pivotal role for the Grizzlies as a post presence, a lob threat for Ja Morant, and even as a floor spacer from the corners. On defense, Edey will be an imposing presence around the rim who inhales rebounds.

Vincent Goodwill: Reed Sheppard. This isn’t about best player or best potential, because this wasn’t that kind of draft. But what this is about is who’s in the best possible position to have the ball in his hands immediately and produce. Sheppard is a really good shooter and sound decision-maker. Houston should contend for at least the play-in, and in lieu of a Day 1 superstar, Sheppard can snatch the ROY.

Tom Haberstroh: Zach Edey. I strongly believe Reed Sheppard will be better this year, but Edey has a clearer path to big-time minutes. The Grizzlies need Edey to fill in 30 minutes at the center position whereas Sheppard has Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green ahead of him on the depth chart. Stephen Curry lost to Tyreke Evans for Rookie of the Year in similar fashion.

Dan Titus: Zach Edey. Edey is the only one who projects to earn starters’ minutes from day one. That’s a significant advantage compared to the field because winning Rookie of the Year is about productivity. He’ll play 20+ minutes per night and should average a low-end double-double while being an impactful rim protector defensively. With a draft class that lacks immediate star power, it could only take averaging 10-11 points per game to take home the award like Malcolm Brogdon in…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-21 18:41:00

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