In addition to the NBA’s Most Valuable Player awards, a Most Valuable Coach, Most Valuable Bench Player and beyond – these awards simply go by a different name.
Let’s take a look at the Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player and Clutch Player of the Year possibilities at DraftKings Sportsbook through April 8.
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coach of the year
JB Bickerstaff (Pistons): -310
Joe Mazzulla (Celtics): +250
Mitch Johnson (Spurs): +2200
what to know: The last time the Pistons finished the regular season with the best record in the East was in 2006–07. Now, despite star guard Cade Cunningham missing 18 games and counting, Detroit will be the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and finish with the third-best record in the NBA behind JB Bickerstaff.
most improved Player
Nickell Alexander-Walker (Hawks): -340
Jalen Duren (Pistons): +280
Deni Avdija (Blazers): +2800
Jalen Johnson (Hawks): +7000
what to know: Now on his fourth team, in his seventh professional season, NAW is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and minutes per game. His 20.8 PPG is well above his previous career high of 12.8 PPG in 2021-22.
sixth man of the year
Keldon Johnson (Spurs): -350
Jaime Jacquez Jr. (Heat): +320
Reed Shepard (Rockets): +2500
what to know: Johnson has spent all seven of his pro seasons with the Spurs, and his 13 points per game are nowhere near his career-high 22 PPG in 2022-23. However, the Spurs have the second-best record in the NBA, and are shooting 52% from the field and 37% from 3 in just 23.3 minutes per night. He has not missed a single game so far this season.
clutch player of the year
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): -2500
Jamal Murray (Nuggets): +1400
what to know: This is a slam dunk. SGA is averaging a league-leading 6.5 points in the clutch, and his Thunder are 20-7 in games decided in the clutch with a score differential of five points or less in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.
