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Early Predictions For 2027 NBA Awards: MVP, ROY, DPOY, And More
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- Early Predictions For 2027 NBA Awards: MVP, ROY, DPOY, And More
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Predicting NBA awards before the season is always fun. After all, the 2026-27 season could be shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
The established superstars aren't going anywhere just yet, but the next generation is no longer waiting patiently for permission to take over. From MVP and Defensive Player of the Year to Rookie of the Year, here are our early predictions for the major NBA awards in 2027.
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Coach Of The Year: Will Hardy
Will Hardy might finally have the perfect situation to make the rest of the NBA appreciate just how good a coach he is. He deserves this after a rough start to his career, holding a 107–221 record over four seasons with Utah.
The Jazz have spent years navigating the difficult part of a rebuild: losing games while trying to develop young players. The Jazz finished with a putrid 22-60 record and the worst seed in the Western Conference last season, ranking 30th on defense (126.0 OPPG).
Amazingly, the Jazz ranked 9th in offense (117.6 PPG), and that gives some optimism. Not to mention, No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson will suit up alongside Lauri Markkanen , Keyonte George , and Jaren Jackson Jr next season.
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Luckily, every rebuilding team reaches a point where development has to turn into winning. This could be that season for Utah.
With some fresh talent on the team and no more reason to tank, we predict that Hardy will showcase his coaching chops and lead the Jazz to at least double the amount of wins from last season.
Clutch Player Of The Year: Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards doesn't need to be told when the game is on the line because he knows what to do. The superstar averaged 5.3 clutch points per game last season, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5.9) and Nikola Jokic (5.7). He also put up 28.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.7 APG in 61 games.
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In 2026-27, having LaMelo Ball alongside him will give him the utmost confidence to take control in big games and go after the coveted Clutch Player of the Year award.
His mentality matters, and the next step in Edwards' evolution is becoming the player who consistently closes games against the league's best teams. The Timberwolves have already seen him embrace huge moments, but Edwards needs to close more than ever to capture his first major individual trophy.
There are plenty of more statistically efficient players in the NBA, but there aren't many who look as comfortable when the pressure starts rising. We expect Edwards to beat out stars such as Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the award.
Most Improved Player: Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller has already shown enough flashes to make this prediction feel like perfect timing. When does he officially become a star? In 2026-27.
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With LaMelo Ball gone and the keys to the franchise handed to him, Miller will have the best season of his young career. He is already coming off a 2025-26 campaign averaging 20.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, and 0.7 BPG on 43.5% FG and 38.3% 3-PT FG in 65 games.
Miller has the tools to average at least 25 PPG in the upcoming season, and the Hornets will need the 3-year veteran to showcase that growth to help the team get out of the never-ending play-in race.
Remember, Most Improved Player isn't always about a player going from promising youngster to All-Star. Sometimes it's about a very good young player making the jump into a completely different tier.
Sixth Man Of The Year: Dylan Harper
Dylan Harper might be too talented to come off the Spurs bench forever, especially if De'Aaron Fox continues to struggle with his health and overall play. But that doesn't mean coming off the bench would be a bad thing right now.
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In fact, it might be the perfect way to unleash him. Harper had an amazing rookie season last year, posting 11.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 3.9 APG on 50.5% FG, 34.3% 3-PT FG, and 75.6% FT in 69 games.
The best sixth men can be borderline starters, and Harper is the type of player who can be a borderline All-Star at times. Expect Harper to show an increase in production and run away with the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2026-27 because no other player will be able to compete with the figures on the stat sheet.
Rookie Of The Year: AJ Dybantsa
Being the No. 1 overall pick comes with pressure, but AJ Dybantsa has superstar potential. We understand that Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer are in perfect positions to produce big numbers in their rookie seasons, but we think Dybantsa will showcase his scoring skills better than both.
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But the opportunity is also there. Dybantsa will lead the Wizards with the offensive talent that can immediately translate into production. That matters for Rookie of the Year, and that's why we are choosing him.
Dybantsa is 6'9″ and 217 lbs, bolstered by the playmaking of Trae Young, and has free rein on the Wizards offense. Those are incredible advantages for the 19-year-old to be in, and what ultimately separates him from the rest of his competition.
Defensive Player Of The Year: Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama is the best defensive player in basketball, and it isn't close. He won Defensive Player of the Year last season, posting 25.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, and 3.1 BPG on 51.2% FG, 34.9% 3-PT FG, and 82.7% FT.
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Wemby also made the All-Defensive and All-NBA First Teams. What makes him so terrifying is that players refuse to shoot anywhere near him because his insane length will get to most balls aimed at the rim.
Want to go even deeper on what's scarier? He's still getting better.
The scariest part of the Wembanyama experience is that we're probably nowhere near the finished product. Wemby will win his second-straight DPOY award, and start the process of winning the most individual awards in NBA history.
MVP: Victor Wembanyama
After scooping up the DPOY award, Wemby will also come through with the MVP award. He finished 3rd last season, but he will come back better on both ends of the court.
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Wemby needs the numbers, obviously. But he will need team success, and there is little reason to believe that the Spurs won't finish with a top-two seed in the Western Conference last season.
Victor Wembanyama is getting closer to checking every box as a superstar big man, and that's why the stats, wins, and overall impact will be there. And that could be the beginning of something much bigger.
Wemby will become the undisputed best player in the world next season, and if our predictions stand pat, he will also be in a position to win the NBA championship and the Finals MVP award that escaped him last season. If the Frenchman hones in on what makes him special, his height and wingspan, there might be no stopping him.
