Who are the MVP favorites next season?

Summary

The Athletic NBA Daily: “Who are the MVP Favorites Next Season?” – Detailed Summary

Release Date: July 15, 2025
Hosts: Dave DeFore, Zena Keita, Esfandiar Baraheni
Special Guest: Sam Vicini

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Dave DeFore, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni, alongside special guest Sam Vicini, delve into predictions for next season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) race. Filmed live from the Summer League, the discussion revolves around top contenders, their current odds, and the factors that could influence the awards.

MVP Favorites for Next Season

Top Contenders

The conversation kicks off with a focus on the leading MVP candidates. Sam Vicini outlines the odds from MGM Sportsbook, highlighting Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Shay) as front-runners.

• Nikola Jokic: Priced at +220, Jokic remains a strong favorite due to his consistent performance and significant impact on the Denver Nuggets.

  Sam Vicini [22:37]: “They have Nikola Jokic plus 220.”

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Shay): Currently at +280, Shay's exceptional playmaking and scoring abilities position him as a serious MVP contender.

  Sam Vicini [22:37]: “They have Nikola Jokic plus 220. Shay it plus 2.280.”

• Giannis Antetokounmpo: With odds at +1,000, Giannis’s potential to average 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists could propel him back into the MVP conversation, especially if the Milwaukee Bucks secure a playoff spot.

  Sam Vicini [23:07]: “If Giannis averages 35, he's probably going to win the MVP.”

• Luka Doncic: Positioned at +700, Luka’s performance with the Lakers could make a significant impact, especially if he returns to peak physical condition and leads his team deep into the playoffs.

  Sam Vicini [27:02]: “Luka made first team all NBA, like five times in his first six years in the NBA.”

Factors Influencing MVP Race

The hosts discuss how team success, individual statistics, and narrative elements play crucial roles in MVP voting. Jokic’s consistency and Shay’s rising star status are contrasted with Giannis’s potential resurgence and Luka’s quest for redemption.

Dave DeFore [26:23]: “How do you repeat that? I don't know.”
Zena Keita [25:09]: “The tide has switched and now everyone's getting into the... We don't appreciate Nikola Jokic enough.”

Rookie of the Year Candidates

Dylan Cooper Flag: The Front-Runner

Dylan Cooper Flag emerges as the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, favored at -225, significantly ahead of other rookies.

Sam Vicini [02:35]: “Cooper is rightfully listed here as the clear favorite.”
Sam Vicini [04:35]: “If he takes 15 shots a game, he's winning.”

Other Notable Rookies

• Trey Johnson: At +900, Johnson is seen as a promising talent with the potential to ascend in the standings.
• Ace Bailey and VJ Edgam: Both standing at +10 to 1, they are recognized for their solid performances but lack the standout edge of Cooper Flag.

Barahenny raises concerns about Cooper Flag’s role and shot opportunities, questioning whether he'll secure sufficient playing time to maintain his frontrunner status.

Zena Keita [03:17]: “But Rookie of the year is not just, hey, you're really good. I think he's got to perform...”

Defensive Player of the Year

Victor Wembanyama: A Dominant Force

Victor Wembanyama is heavily favored to win Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), with odds at -180. His defensive prowess is unparalleled, though concerns about his ability to play 65 games due to a prior blood clot issue remain.

Sam Vicini [12:00]: “Victor Wembanyama -180.”
Dave DeFore [12:37]: “Wembanyama is generational. Genuinely one of the best defenders I've ever seen.”

Chet Holmgren: The Agile Defender

Chet Holmgren is another strong candidate at +6.5 to 1. His anticipation and defensive versatility make him a formidable opponent, potentially surpassing even Wembanyama in certain defensive metrics.

Sam Vicini [14:25]: “Chet Holmgren is one of the best defenders like at his age I've ever seen.”
Sam Vicini [15:01]: “Chet is always ahead.”

Draymond Green: The Veteran Leader

Draymond Green, although listed at +50 to 1, is lauded for his defensive intelligence and leadership. The hosts debate his chances, emphasizing the Warriors' defensive strategies and his critical role.

Sam Vicini [18:00]: “Draymond Green may or may not have been on the original list of 50, and I immediately hit the person and was like, no, Draymond Green.”
Dave DeFore [18:05]: “He really spurred this small ball revolution by being able to do what he does.”

Most Improved Player

Deandre Ayton: A Strong Contender

Deandre Ayton is discussed as a top candidate for Most Improved Player, reflecting his career growth and potential to significantly enhance the Phoenix Suns’ performance.

Zena Keita [30:35]: “It's about his career, not the expectations.”

Other Candidates

The episode also touches on other notable candidates, including Amen Thompson, Scoot Henderson, and Ben Matheran, highlighting their individual improvements and contributions to their respective teams.

Sam Vicini [32:17]: “Amen Thompson, Scoot Henderson, Andrew Demarten, Ben Matheran...”

Potential Dark Horse Candidates

Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant

Emerging as dark horse contenders, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant demonstrate exceptional skills and potential to surprise voters with their performances.

Sam Vicini [32:30]: “I am really excited to watch Cooper Flag.”
Zena Keita [33:05]: “He just switched his hips and got up. Recovery time is incredible.”

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

The episode concludes with the hosts expressing excitement for the upcoming season, emphasizing the emerging talents and the evolving dynamics of MVP and other award races. They highlight the importance of performance consistency, team success, and the narratives that shape voters' decisions.

Zena Keita [35:19]: “I am a believer in Cooper Flag. I've seen enough.”
Sam Vicini [35:22]: “It's easy to be honest.”

The discussion underscores the unpredictability of the MVP race and the multitude of factors that will influence the outcome, making the next NBA season one of the most anticipated in recent memory.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sam Vicini [02:35]: “Cooper is rightfully listed here as the clear favorite.”
• Zena Keita [03:17]: “But Rookie of the year is not just, hey, you're really good. I think he's got to perform...”
• Sam Vicini [12:00]: “Victor Wembanyama -180.”
• Dave DeFore [12:37]: “Wembanyama is generational. Genuinely one of the best defenders I've ever seen.”
• Sam Vicini [14:25]: “Chet Holmgren is one of the best defenders like at his age I've ever seen.”
• Sam Vicini [18:00]: “Draymond Green may or may not have been on the original list of 50, and I immediately hit the person and was like, no, Draymond Green.”
• Sam Vicini [22:37]: “They have Nikola Jokic plus 220. Shay it plus 2.280.”
• Sam Vicini [27:02]: “Luka made first team all NBA, like five times in his first six years in the NBA.”
• Sam Vicini [32:17]: “Amen Thompson, Scoot Henderson, Andrew Demarten, Ben Matheran...”
• Zena Keita [35:19]: “I am a believer in Cooper Flag. I've seen enough.”

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This comprehensive summary captures the depth and breadth of the discussion in The Athletic NBA Daily episode, providing listeners with valuable insights into the upcoming NBA season's award races.

Transcript

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[Barahenny]

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily Live from Summer League. I'm Dave DeFore here with s Barahenny and our special guest Sam Vicini tapping in. We're thinking about the future because we're at summer league. So we're gonna preview next season's awards. We're gonna try to guess who's gonna win based on the bet. MGM current odds at summer league because Sam Vizini thought ahead on this. Sam, you want to start with rookie of the year? I mean we're at summer league. There's all these rookies out here. Dylan Cooper Flag face off looked amazing. Who's your favorite for rookie of the year?

[Sam Vicini]

So per the bet? MGM Sportsbook partner.

[Dave DeFore]

Yes.

[Sam Vicini]

Oh, it's for rookie of the year. Cooper flag is minus 225. Trey Johnson plus 900. So that's nine to one.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Ace Bailey 10 to one, VJ Edgam 10 to one, Dylan Harper 14 to one. Con caniple 30 to one ball of Jeremiah Field. Here's Derek Queen, Cedric Coward 35:1. And then we get deeper and deeper into it. So look, I think Cooper is rightfully, rightfully listed here as the clear favorite.

[Barahenny]

As the, as the best player in the draft class, at least that we know of. But what about his role there? Right? Because Rookie of the year is not just, hey, you're really good. I think he's got to perform and it's not like he's going to get a ton of shots compared to if he was on a bad team.

[Guest]

Right.

[Sam Vicini]

I think he might, I'm really honest with you. I think he might just. Because look at the, you know, Mavericks backcourt at the end of the day, right? Like it's going to be d' Angelo Russell.

[Guest]

Yep.

[Sam Vicini]

It's going to be Dante Marshall.

[Barahenny]

Right.

[Sam Vicini]

You know, Dante Exon is going to be there. You know, Caleb Martin's going to be on the wing obviously as well. And then you have the PJ Washingtons, you obviously have Anthony Davis who will take up a share of shots as well. And you know, Daniel Gafford, like the front court is somewhat loaded and I do think that Cooper flags best position in the NBA is going to be as like a mismatch, you know, hybrid 3, 4 in the way that you often see with guys like that. But I do think that they're probably going to let him kind of rock a little bit because this year's like a little bit of a throwaway for them as they try.

[Barahenny]

Is it a throwaway? Can it be a throwaway?

[Dave DeFore]

Because we don't know when Kyrie's coming back.

[Barahenny]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

And then the other aspect is their offense is going to be wonky until Kyrie comes back anyways. And there's going to be opportunities. To your point, mismatch hunting. You need to have someone who's going to be able to attack the basketball. Yeah, sure, AD can work in certain actions, post ops, etc. But I think Cooper will have opportunity to get some touches and some shots. That just might be it for like can you get 15 shots a game.

[Barahenny]

From Cooper Flag, in which case you feel like he's, he's clearly the front runner.

[Sam Vicini]

If he takes 15 shots a game, he's winning.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

Okay.

[Guest]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

I don't know if you'll get the 15.

[Dave DeFore]

It's a lot.

[Sam Vicini]

Like, the other thing about Cooper is that he's actually a real passer as well, right?

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Like he can genuinely mismatch, create, force the help and then hit the kick out. Like, he's genuinely very capable passer.

[Dave DeFore]

Like, the connection he had with Kaman Malach and Duke was really impressive.

[Barahenny]

And Jason Kidd loves a big point guard. Right. So he's going to have. We, we've seen him have opportunities. He's pushing the ball on the break, bringing the ball up a lot in summer league, taking a lot of shots off the dribble, you know, playing aggressively. I, I can see why you, you know, you feel like he's going to get, get a lot of run.

[Sam Vicini]

Yeah. So like. So I'll ask you because you've done a lot more into the season. He does way more draft work than I have.

[Barahenny]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Who would you have it to?

[Dave DeFore]

I do like Trey being second at odds here because Washington is going to have a lot of opportunity for him to take some shots. The egalitarian offense and also I think with the way their offensive system works, there's a world in which he can get a lot of looks in transition, a lot of easy opportunities from three point line. If you think about like the way they work with Bub Carrington, Right. And Alex Sar in pick and roll situations, he can just feed off of those guys and get to like 12 points a game. Just because he's so streaky as a shooter, he can catch fire for, I don't know, one quarter, end up, end up with like 20 points in a game. I think he's just so explosive that he could have a month where he averages like 20 a game for the.

[Barahenny]

Kind of like Jerry McCain last year, right, where he just gangbusters scoring a lot, had the ball in his hands, a lot of opportunity with the defense behind him. I think that he's going to have so many opportunities on offense because I think that defense is going to be okay. You know, they're young, but I do think that they're going to create a lot of transition opportunities for him and those guys are going to want to fly up and down the court.

[Dave DeFore]

Honestly, I'll throw it back to you because I know a lot of the question about Trey was the finishing at the basket and how much he could improve on that part. The spacing feels like it's helped him get to the basket more, at least in summer league.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

How will that work in the NBA?

[Sam Vicini]

It's a great question. I'm like a little bit concerned just in terms of what Washington space is.

[Guest]

Right.

[Barahenny]

Not a lot of shooting.

[Sam Vicini]

More than anything like. And again, I mentioned this on the athletic show that I recorded a little while ago, obviously, but they have a lot of wings. Like, they just have a lot of wings. They have Keyshawn George who's going to get minutes. They have Will Riley who maybe won't get minutes this year, but then they have Kim Whitmore and Corey Gisberg. Obviously Chris Middleton's gonna play on this team. Like, he needs to play because the.

[Barahenny]

Thing I assume all other veterans forget.

[Dave DeFore]

About the vets when there's so many young guys on this team.

[Guest]

Right.

[Sam Vicini]

You can't forget about the vets because this Washington team just lost by 20 last night to the Summer Suns.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

And that summer sun scene was like half filled with guys are going to be in Europe. So they need the vets, like pretty desperately, I think.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

But the thing is about Trey Johnson, like, he provides a skill set that the younger guys don't really like. I like the growth from Keyshawn George that I've seen particularly here. His first game at summer league was outstanding. Yeah, beyond that, like, you know, Cam Whitmore is obviously a scorer. I would want to have one of Trey Johnson or Cam Whitmore on the court at all times. But like, my idea would be like, I would love to see them go even like small, small at times and just say, like, we're gonna throw Chris Middleton, Trey Johnson, Bilal Cool Bali out there on the wing, Buck Carrington at points are hopefully backing them up at center and trying to make it work that way. Like, you know, you have your defense, you have your vet, you have a guy who's like a real rhythm shooter. Like Trey Johnson is a lights out shooter. Guys like, he is a special shooter.

[Dave DeFore]

And also like that unit can run.

[Barahenny]

Maybe that's the way. I think that that's their goal. I mean, when you watched him last year, I mean, Sar, I think a lot of his growth came when they started getting out more into transition. He got more comfortable with that stuff. And when you've got that sort of speed with the ball handling of Trey Johnson, I think that you want to lean into that stuff. I mean, when they got on their, their nice little run last year with Chris Middleton out there, Jordan Pool really benefited greatly from that. Right. And Middleton is another playmaker. Allows you to release some pressure from the young guy. I mean, it's. I think it works pretty well. Who would you have third?

[Dave DeFore]

I would out better than that. Who is like a Dark horse.

[Barahenny]

Because I think, I think the clear.

[Dave DeFore]

Cut is like Vijay Dillon. Those guys.

[Barahenny]

Well, see, but the thing about, I say Ace Bailey probably has a great shot. Right. Because who else is going to get run in Utah that's going to pop? I worry, you know, Dylan Harper, obviously. I think the spurs are just loaded.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

This is going to be. It's the spurs also.

[Dave DeFore]

So how are those touches going?

[Barahenny]

Yeah.

[Guest]

Right.

[Barahenny]

You know, and unexpected, too. I mean, it seems like we had a different Rookie of the Year leader month by month throughout the season last year, so.

[Sam Vicini]

Yeah, especially early on.

[Barahenny]

Yeah, it's a little bit different.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

Who's the dark horse?

[Sam Vicini]

I mean, like, the fact that Dylan Harper isn't third for this is like, kind of wild to me because his.

[Barahenny]

First could be good and he might contribute.

[Sam Vicini]

I think he's better than Steph Castle. I'm just gonna be honest. Like, I, I, I. That speaks more about Dylan than it does about Steph. I think is outstanding.

[Barahenny]

Right.

[Sam Vicini]

That dude's gonna like, have a real shot to maybe hit an all star game at some point. Like, I think Dylan is a stud. Like, the fact that he's not third is a little while. But, like, if I'm going really off the board here. Right. I mean, Walter Clayton at 40 to 1.

[Barahenny]

I like it.

[Sam Vicini]

Big number.

[Barahenny]

It's like fit Jamal Murray out there, man.

[Dave DeFore]

We had the comp earlier where we're like the movement, movement that he has in pick and rolls, where he snakes the pick and roll gets downhill. Like, that does remind you of Jamal Murray.

[Sam Vicini]

Ish. Yeah. He plays at a very like, hoppy cadence. That is hard, I think, for defenders to time.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Because he's such a threat to pull up at any point on the court. Like, he'll just rhythm, rhythm, dribble, rhythm, dribble, and then he'll burst to the rim at times or he'll step back. He's always playing off of two feet and he's always on balance. To your point. Unbelievable shooter, obviously. Yeah. So Utah needs somebody who can get buckets.

[Dave DeFore]

They've gotten rid of Jordan Clarkson, like Isaiah Collier. And I'm missing a guard that they are absolutely gonna.

[Barahenny]

Because no one can remember these.

[Dave DeFore]

They have so many guards. So is he's better than them?

[Barahenny]

I, I like, I just think day one, he comes in probably their best point guard. You know, am I wrong here?

[Sam Vicini]

I don't know if he's their best point guard. Like, I think that Isaiah Collier is like a genuine passer and like downhill presence who's capable getting Paint touches. Like Walt's not gonna get those paint early on. The Collier can do that. The problem, Collier is he can't really score effectively in the NBA right now.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

I like them being able to play together. Like Collier is this like big bowling ball who can maybe guard up the lineup a little bit. Walt, you play on ones like. I kind of think it can work, honestly.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

I love his level of competition. Walter Clayton on defense, you know, like being a smaller guard, you always worry. It's. It's more than effort when you're small.

[Guest]

Right.

[Barahenny]

Like there's physical stuff, but you can overcome a lot of that by being as aggressive and as strong as he is. I mean, he's solid.

[Sam Vicini]

I mean, former football player.

[Barahenny]

Exactly.

[Sam Vicini]

You know, all state football player. I believe in Florida. Like it's unbelievable.

[Barahenny]

I'm always a believer in guys that have an NBA body when they're drafted. Right. I mean, I think that's the history has proven that to be pretty good. Okay, let's move on to defense square of the year. And s we pretty much can pencil in Victor Weminyama for this award if he plays 65 games. I mean, I think we all agree.

[Dave DeFore]

Here, but that's the big question. Can you play 65 games?

[Sam Vicini]

Obviously he played 70 in his rookie year. Like I do want to mention that.

[Guest]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

And it's not this question of like this is an injury riddled player.

[Barahenny]

Sure.

[Dave DeFore]

Or anything, anything like that. It's just the blood clot situation is obviously serious. If that reoccurs, then you have a situation where like you don't know if he's going to play 65.

[Barahenny]

And the spurs are conservative.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

You know, I mean an ankle turn for Victor Womenyama is different than an ankle turn for, you know, Dylan Harper. What might be what we would consider a 10 day injury maybe becomes 20.

[Sam Vicini]

Sure.

[Barahenny]

And to miss 17 games in the NBA now, it's not hard.

[Guest]

Hard.

[Dave DeFore]

Also, like before I say this, Wembanyama is generational. Genuinely one of the best defenders I've ever seen in my life.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

And he very easily will win multiple defensive player of the year.

[Barahenny]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

But the way OKC's defense is and how important voters stress on rim protection and how essential that is to defenses in general. Chat might be the guy for this award just because of that. Like if they're ending up as the number one defense again next year and they're top of the Western Conference and Chet takes another step offensively which puts him in another pedestal in terms of all star conversations. Etc. Why not check?

[Barahenny]

Where's he on the odds?

[Sam Vicini]

So we've got the odds from athletic sportsbook partner GM.

[Guest]

Yep. Yep.

[Sam Vicini]

Victor Wembanyama -180. Chet Holmgreg 6 1/2 to 1. Evan Mobley 11 to 1. Dyson Daniels 25 to 1. Amen Thompson, 25 to 1. Anthony Davis 30 to 1. Both of these Zubots in Lou Dort, 40 to 1. I mean, the fact that.

[Barahenny]

What does Anthony Davis even have to do to win? I mean, they have to have a top five for sure.

[Dave DeFore]

Defense winning plus defense.

[Barahenny]

45 games and a top five defense, at least for Anthony Davis. That'd be a tough one.

[Sam Vicini]

I do just want to call out that all of Jaren Jackson, Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert and Draymond Green are 50 to 1.

[Dave DeFore]

Crazy.

[Sam Vicini]

Those numbers are bonkers. They should be bet down immediately, hopefully by some of our listeners.

[Barahenny]

If you're listening, if you partake for. For entertainment purposes, by all means. That's absurd.

[Sam Vicini]

That's completely absurd.

[Barahenny]

Yeah. Like, if Rudy has a great year next year, are we being too biased toward these younger guys?

[Dave DeFore]

Kind of.

[Sam Vicini]

That's kind of what I think's happening here. Although I will say to S's point, Chet Holmgren is one of the best defenders like at his age I've ever seen. Just point blank. And I've said that since he was at Gonzaga. His anticipation defensively is unlike anything that I like. It is better than Victor Wembanyama's anticipation defensively.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

It's just that Victor has these.

[Barahenny]

He doesn't have to anticipate. Victor can make up. He can be three seconds late and make it up. Whereas Chat is always ahead.

[Sam Vicini]

Like, think about the difference here. Like, Chat is seven foot tall with like a seven foot six wingspan.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Victor is seven four with an eight foot wingspan.

[Barahenny]

Are we still saying seven four?

[Sam Vicini]

I don't know.

[Intuit QuickBooks]

What do you think?

[Barahenny]

I don't know.

[Dave DeFore]

We need.

[Barahenny]

Can we get an official Victor women.

[Dave DeFore]

That's actually a recounting that he looks.

[Barahenny]

So tall when he's next to all these other guys that are seven footers.

[Sam Vicini]

I mean, that's the point. I'm gonna say, like, I mean, dude, the difference between like Victor and Chat and Chet and like Keegan Murray.

[Barahenny]

Right.

[Sam Vicini]

Is the same. You know, like that's, that's the level to which Chet. I'm sorry. To which Victor has margin for him.

[Dave DeFore]

Like that.

[Sam Vicini]

Defensively, that's what you have to think about it as though, like it's like keegan Murray is 6 foot 8 or so with a 7 foot wingspan. Chet is 7 foot with a 7 foot 6 wingspan.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Victor is 74 with a 8 foot wingspan. It's crazy. The level to which he has margin for error on defense and the level to which he gives San Antonio the ability to get aggressive defensively. Because one thing that you mentioned to me, having just now seen Dylan Harper and Carter Bryan out on the court, is how aggressive they are defensively. Like, Carter Bryant has been the best defensive player I've seen in summer league so far.

[Dave DeFore]

Absolutely.

[Sam Vicini]

Like, he's been awesome.

[Barahenny]

The block on Cooper flag, unbelievable.

[Dave DeFore]

The way he moved.

[Barahenny]

He just switched his hips and got up.

[Dave DeFore]

Recovery time is incredible.

[Sam Vicini]

Unbelievable. And then they have Stefan Castle, who's a very good defender as well. Like, they have a number of bodies now that can get super aggressive on defense at the point of attack and try to bother opposing players on. On the ball right now and fighting over screens knowing that they have Victor behind them.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

To clean up what it's worth, that.

[Dave DeFore]

Could also, because I've seen this in the past where if you have a lot of good defenders on one team, works against you, works up against you, it cannibalizes the boat. And so maybe that. Yeah, exactly.

[Guest]

For sure. Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

So look, I think Victor is the bet here, for sure.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

But man, like, I don't know, like, Draymond Green was the best defender in the NBA for the last 25 games this year. That's right. He. Look, I don't think. I don't think he should have won defense player of the year this year. I feel quite strongly about. About that because the middle portion of his season was just not quite what it should have been. But for the last 25 games of the year, I don't really even think it was close. Yeah, I think he was aggressively the best defensive player in the NBA. So for him to be at 50 to 1 on this thing.

[Barahenny]

But are the warriors going to win enough games for him to be.

[Dave DeFore]

You know what I mean, really good with Jimmy, man.

[Barahenny]

Yeah. But okay, I think we don't know, like, we don't know even what that team's going to be. And it may be older than it already is and it's pretty old.

[Sam Vicini]

I think that I would. What I would say though is like, I expect them to have a great defense almost regardless, though, like, what I'm worried about is like secondary shot creation.

[Barahenny]

Right.

[Sam Vicini]

Like, you know, Jimmy is out and, you know, Steph misses a game or two here and there. Like it's going to be hard for them to create shots at the end of the day. Like, kind of like we saw in the middle of the season this year where they got really, really rough. Right.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

So I think that they can rely on their defense, to be honest with you, and that'll be, you know, Draymond.

[Barahenny]

Right.

[Sam Vicini]

I mean, we don't talk enough about how good. Like, Draymond talks enough about how great.

[Dave DeFore]

He's the greatest defender of his generation.

[Sam Vicini]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Or at least maybe like, the smartest.

[Barahenny]

And one of the greatest of all time.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

You know, he really spurred this small ball revolution by being able to do what he does.

[Guest]

Right. By being.

[Barahenny]

With chat, like, doing it.

[Dave DeFore]

Raymond size. Exactly. Incredible.

[Sam Vicini]

And captaining the defense, like, if you watch him on the back line, the way he's communicating to all of his teammates at all times is unbelievable. There's a project that I'm a part of that I won't get into too many details on where I was asked to rank, like, the top 25 players in the 20th century or 21st century to this point, like, the last 25 years, basically. And Draymond Green may or may not have been on the original list of 50, and I immediately, like, hit the person and was like, no, like, Draymond Green. You guys forgot Draymond, because, like, I. I think there's a realistic chance that I vote him in the wait.

[Dave DeFore]

Of the 2000s.

[Barahenny]

Yeah. Of the 2000s.

[Sam Vicini]

2000S.

[Intuit QuickBooks]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Like, yeah. Like, is him or Tracy McGrady had a more relevant career?

[Dave DeFore]

That's a good question. Like, hoop enthusiasts will be like, well, of course, Tracy McGrady, but just impact.

[Sam Vicini]

Yeah. Like, think about, like, impact on the NBA. I think it's Draymond Green, like, undeniably.

[Guest]

Absolutely.

[Barahenny]

I mean, the peel switch, right. It becomes a thing because Draymond Green is so amazing at it.

[Sam Vicini]

Or the purposeful switch, Frank.

[Barahenny]

I mean.

[Sam Vicini]

Yeah, it's real.

[Barahenny]

So.

[Sam Vicini]

No, I mean, I think the world of Draymond Green, like, I think that dude is an unbelievable, somehow still might be underrated defender. Even though he reminds us at every single, like, opportunity how good he is.

[Barahenny]

Well, that's a little bit of the Tyrese Halliburton stuff, right? Because Draymond attracts a lot of his own attention. I think people just, you know, they tune it out at a certain point.

[Dave DeFore]

He's not a bad bet. No, that's honestly not.

[Barahenny]

I mean, that's pretty good. I don't gamble, but, you know, if you do.

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[Barahenny]

Mvp.

[Sam Vicini]

Sure.

[Guest]

All right.

[Barahenny]

Shay just won it. We know it's hard to win a second one in a row. You really gotta take it up a notch. I don't know how he could possibly take up what he just did another notch. Maybe it's some of that playmaking that we saw in the finals. Maybe it's more, you know, higher assist totals. Whatever it is, how do you guys. How do we rank Shay? By the odds.

[Sam Vicini]

So I just want to say that that MGM right now does not have Shea as the favorite brand VP.

[Dave DeFore]

Okay?

[Sam Vicini]

They have Nikola Jokic plus 220.

[Barahenny]

That was my assumption.

[Sam Vicini]

Shout out our partners bet MGM Shay it plus 2. 280. Luca at plus 700, Giannis at plus a thousand. Wemby at plus 1300. Ant at plus 1400. And then we get into Jalen Brunson at 30 to 1, Kate at 40 to 1, Mitchell at 50 to 1, Steph at 66 to 1, Paulo 66 to 1.

[Dave DeFore]

I like the Giannis.

[Barahenny]

Bet Giannis is pretty good because like.

[Dave DeFore]

Who is going if, if, if the Bucks end up becoming a playoff team next year? It's because Giannis has a ridiculous season like he had last year. Truthfully, this was a guy who averaged like 30, 12 and 6 last year on crazy efficiency, worked in the mid range and a career level. If he just does that again for a team that ends up like the 4, 5 seed and he's willing a team with Miles Turner, I think he's.

[Barahenny]

Going to, they're going to have the top three in the east.

[Sam Vicini]

So, so here would be my thing. And I mean no disrespect to our fellow media folks that vote on this.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

At least some of them do the work on it. There are genuinely a lot of voters that do an enormous amount of work. Like I was talking to Fred Katz who is a voter.

[Barahenny]

Absolutely.

[Sam Vicini]

And like the number of players that he called to like really dig in and like do like. I don't, I mean, no shots at the people who really do the work.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

But there are a lot of voters where the narrative means a lot to this.

[Guest]

Yep.

[Sam Vicini]

And Giannis's narrative is going to be a very easy pitch next year, I think to S's point. Like Giannis leading a team where the second best player is Miles Turner and A.J. green is playing 30 minutes a night.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

And Kevin Porter Jr. Is your, your starting point guard.

[Barahenny]

Best ball handler. Right.

[Sam Vicini]

He is, honestly. So like, I think that the narrative, If Giannis averages 35, 12 and 6.

[Barahenny]

If he averages 35, he's probably going to win the MVP. And I don't think he needs a.

[Dave DeFore]

Top three seed either.

[Barahenny]

You don't think so?

[Dave DeFore]

I think like top six because what Jokic won that year where he won, they were sixth.

[Guest]

Right.

[Sam Vicini]

Something like that. And you know, Russ won when he.

[Barahenny]

Was 16, but you have to do something, something incredible. Totally. Like statistically to do that. He's at 35 a game. Yeah, I, I agree with that. I like that.

[Sam Vicini]

I think he's capable. But like Jokic and Che are the two here.

[Barahenny]

Jokic is as the front runner. I mean, it makes sense. Right. Like they improved their team so much.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

The thing, you know, there's a been a little bit of burnout, but I think that the, the tide has switched and now everyone's getting into the. We don't appreciate Nicola Jokic enough. Right. Like, YIC and Giannis kind of have a similar thing here where they're multiple time MVPs. You could say there's been a little bit of like, voter fatigue.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

And it's. Now, it's been a couple years. I think Jokic is probably, if they, if they do what we expect them to do and they're one of the two best teams in the, in the West. It's Jokic's award, essentially. I, I would guess. I mean, we know the numbers he's.

[Guest]

Going to put up.

[Barahenny]

He's too consistent. He plays so many games.

[Sam Vicini]

I do wonder like, like how voters will see like the Shay vs. Jokic thing next year after this year where it was like such a scratch and claw thing. I kind of think those two and Giannis are the three guys worth. They always will be, including here. So I'm just really fascinated to kind of like, again, like, I, I think of it when I'm talking about MVP as what voters will do, what I think a lot of the time, because that's kind of, if you're, you know, we're talking about gambling odds and everything, like, that's the most important part of gambling odds. You know what I mean? So.

[Dave DeFore]

And also Shay's case, like, the threshold is so high for him to win it again.

[Barahenny]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

Because of the 68 win.

[Barahenny]

The team is so good.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah. He, like, in soccer terms, this man had like the treble in terms of the season that he had.

[Guest]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

How do you repeat that? I don't. I don't know.

[Sam Vicini]

You can.

[Barahenny]

And the secret's out on J Dub now, right? If we're talking. Everyone knows how good his sidekick is. His sidekick scored 40 in a final.

[Sam Vicini]

Way too long for people to figure that out.

[Barahenny]

I agree with that. I mean, I don't know how a guy makes like all NBA.

[Dave DeFore]

Like, he has to prove it when it matters, you know?

[Barahenny]

Well, he had to make some shots in the playoffs is really what it was about. Let's talk about Luca real quick because this is actually an interesting one.

[Sam Vicini]

Sure.

[Barahenny]

We've all seen skinny Luca.

[Sam Vicini]

Can I just note real quick before you get into this, LeBron is 150.

[Barahenny]

To 1 to an MVP and we all love narrative. That would be a narrative we could cook up. So. But with Luca, okay, he plays for the Lakers. That's. That's a narrative. Okay.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

If they are good at all, it's going to be because Luca has a ridiculous season.

[Sam Vicini]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

What does he have to do and what do the Lakers have to do for him to get into the conversation with those other three guys?

[Sam Vicini]

I think that before I. Before I answer that, like, I think people have kind of forgotten how good Luca is. Like a little bit like the short term mindset of things.

[Dave DeFore]

Absolutely.

[Sam Vicini]

Luca made first team all NBA, like five times in his first six years in the NBA. Yeah, that's unheard of. Like, that's completely bonkers. Guys, he is one of the smartest basketball players I've ever seen in my life. He's 6 foot 8. He's a tank. Nobody can deal with him.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Honestly, I think if he comes back in shape consistently, it's a totally different ball game. And I will note, like, I think the last image that people have of Luca is him being heavier in the playoffs. And I think that it's probably a misnomer a little bit. Like, I'm not saying he's gonna look like rookie year Luca did necessarily, but I think it's a little bit of a misnomer because he dealt with the calf injury and really, I think struggled to kind of condition himself and get him back into shape.

[Dave DeFore]

Looked like the Luca of old when he was with the Lakers. Like, he. He had certain moments, but it still felt like he was getting in rhythm, especially for the first couple months. Like his shot was.

[Barahenny]

Well, when he first came back, remember, he was a little bit early coming back from a calf injury and. And he pushed to come back.

[Guest]

Y.

[Barahenny]

Because, you know, there's all this pressure. You play for the Lakers now we're going to put you on tv. And he was never. I. I mean, honestly, I think that if he would tell you the truth, he was probably never fully healthy that season. You know, the. The calf injuries, these guys re aggravate them all the time. It's hard. It's hard to do their cardio up.

[Dave DeFore]

Okay, so the. The question would be, like, what do.

[Barahenny]

The Lakers have to do? They. They would have to be. I mean, he would have to either do the Giannis thing where his numbers are ridiculous and they are the six seed or whatever, or his numbers are Luca numbers, but they're top four, you know, and I don't know if they've got the talent for that. Like, do you love the Ayton move for them?

[Sam Vicini]

I am going to be endlessly entertained by the Ayton move, and I am very appreciative of The Lakers for doing it. DeAndre and JJ Redick is going to give us some real comedy that I'm excited to watch. And that's not like DeAndre might be totally great.

[Barahenny]

I think he's going to be good.

[Sam Vicini]

Like he might be great. Like there's a real chance if he comes in, set screens, makes contact on screen, rolls hard to the rim, does not live in the mid range to take mid range jumpers, which I felt like he did way too often in Portland and just does exactly what he did when he was in Phoenix. I think that he can be great for them. He also has to get back in transition. Like there are a number of things here. The maddening, infuriating thing about DeAndre is he has all of the tools to be exactly what the Lakers need. Not just like, you know, a perfect pair. Yeah. Not just like, oh yeah, like he's an upgrade on Jackson Hayes. No, he has a chance to be a massive upgrade.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

For them and be like a top 15 center in the league. We've seen it happen before. But it comes down to him is the thing. And he needs to make the right decisions to do that. And I hope that JJ Redick is able to motivate him in the way that he needs.

[Dave DeFore]

So Luca's MVP case is Aiden having.

[Barahenny]

An all st. What if. What if deandre Ayton. This isn't a word we're going to talk about, but deandre Ayton for most improved player to me seems like a nice, like the number one overall pick.

[Dave DeFore]

Wins most improved Player. I don't know.

[Barahenny]

It's about his career, not the expectations. You know what I mean? I mean, if you look at the year he had, last year's not good at all. Right. I mean, and, and then his reputation at this point where essentially when we found out that the buyout was happening, there were more jokes being made about the buyout and, and snow days than there were people speculating where he might.

[Dave DeFore]

Wind up one and a half free throws per game in his time.

[Guest]

Yeah, Portland.

[Barahenny]

I mean, that's going to have to go up. He's going to have to be more aggressive, especially around the hoops. Yeah, he's got to get. And I like his jump hook. It's a great jump hook. But sometimes you've got to just power dribble and go up because you need to put pressure on the rim.

[Sam Vicini]

Correct.

[Barahenny]

And this is the biggest thing that hampered him in that Finals run. You know, they go up two zero and all of a sudden he wants to touch no one. And they. They died because of it. I. I do think that he's landing in the right spot. If LeBron is going to be there, I think that that's a massive boost to deandre Ayton just having that. That presence in the room.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

And it's like the seriousness of what they're doing. I think this is a really good position for him to be in.

[Sam Vicini]

I think so. I hope so. Honestly. I really genuinely hope that for DeAndre. I don't love it when players don't live up to what they have potential to be. And just a few other most improved player candidates. No name dropping here because this is a different thing. We'll talk about. Denny Abdia is listed very highly.

[Guest]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Amen. Thompson, Scoot Henderson, Andrew Demarten, Ben Matheran, Shayden Sharp, Basar Thompson, Jonathan Kamingo wherever he ends up. Trey Murphy, Jalen Johnson, Max Christie is the name here.

[Dave DeFore]

You know, I like the nem hard pick because that's, that's where I was just like, opportunity.

[Barahenny]

Yeah. Necessary. Gonna have the ball in his hands so much.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Barahenny]

Can hit the mid Ranger. I mean, you know, in that list, by the way.

[Sam Vicini]

No.

[Barahenny]

No. Huh.

[Sam Vicini]

Sleeper.

[Barahenny]

Sleeper.

[Sam Vicini]

I don't know.

[Barahenny]

I. I don't know the narrative though. Where's the narrative for most improvement? Anything on. On your mind about next season? Like, what are you excited for, Sam?

[Sam Vicini]

I am really excited to watch Cooper flag.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

You obviously have not watched a ton of Cooper.

[Barahenny]

No, but I've seen.

[Sam Vicini]

It's awesome, guys.

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Sam Vicini]

Like, and look, I want to give people like a little bit of a pause here. Like, it's gonna take a little bit of time for him with like, he's not gonna come in at 18 years old and be like a maestro in ball screens. That is out here like dominating like slicing defenses up all the time. But man, that dude's like competitive character in just the way he plays hard. Like it's summer league here. It's very clear to me that Dallas has come in with strategy of like, we're going to give you all the on ball reps that you want, man. Like, we have Ryan Nemhardt here. If you need to, you know, offload the ball or get the ball court, go ahead. But you have any problems with Carter Bryant?

[Barahenny]

I keep watching the guy make the right pass, make the right play, and he's fast with it too. Like the 0.5 decision making is. Is there and that's huge for a rookie.

[Dave DeFore]

He's also so big that like ball pressure doesn't I mean obviously he will have some turnovers but generally bone pressure will not matter as much against him because of his physicality.

[Sam Vicini]

What he is so good at, so good at because he's so physical to your point is when defenders try to like chase him. Like he takes an early screen in the back court. Right. He is so good at just cutting off the angle and leaning into them and making it so they cannot get back. Like Carter Bryant is six foot six with a seven foot wingspan. With a six foot six barefoot. The seven foot wingspan 200 and you know, 20 pounds or whatever. He had no chance to get back in front of him. Like he had no chance. Like he had that incredible recovery block.

[Barahenny]

Right?

[Sam Vicini]

Undeniably. But actually getting back in front Cooper is so good at cutting off that angle and being able to keep in front of his man to maintain the advantage and force that help. I think that's something that like will genuinely translate. Day one the shooting. We will see like the shooting is gonna.

[Barahenny]

The shot looks good to me off the catch.

[Dave DeFore]

It'll be better than pull up obviously.

[Barahenny]

Yeah, I would say that the, the pull up off the dribble is his wrist is a little bit loose. Not to get in the weeds on shooting.

[Guest]

No.

[Barahenny]

Yeah, his wrist a little bit loose on. On the way up and it's a.

[Sam Vicini]

Super wide base as well. Like when he takes pull ups.

[Barahenny]

Wide is okay except for on pull ups and so but these are all things that when he gets in the into the NBA gym and he's working with these guys, it's going to go. He's going to fix and stuff. I I am a believer in Cooper flag. I've seen enough.

[Dave DeFore]

It's easy to be honestly.

[Barahenny]

Yeah, he looks like he's going to be great. Sam, thanks for hanging out with us, man. I really appreciate you joining the show. For Sam Basini and Esperah Henny, I'm Dave Defor and this is Ben the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.

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