NBA award finalists 2022: Full list of candidates for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more

Jordan Greer

NBA award finalists 2022: Full list of candidates for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more image

Which players will win the most prestigious awards for the 2021-22 NBA season?

The league announced the finalists for six individual awards, and the races have come down to three candidates for the following honors: Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year.

MORE: The MVP case for Nikola Jokic without advanced stats

Finalists were chosen based on voting results from a global panel of media members, which includes both broadcasters and writers. Winners will be announced at later dates.

Check out the full list of finalists below.

(Note: Voters submitted their ballots prior to the start of the Play-In Tournament and NBA Playoffs.)

Most Valuable Player

Finalists

  • Nikola Jokic, Nuggets (winner)
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
  • Joel Embiid, 76ers

Previous winners

Season Winner
2021-22 Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2020-21 Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
2019-20 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2018-19 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2017-18 James Harden, Rockets
2016-17 Russell Westbrook, Thunder
2015-16 Stephen Curry, Warriors
2014-15 Stephen Curry, Warriors
2013-14 Kevin Durant, Thunder
2012-13 LeBron James, Heat
2011-12 LeBron James, Heat

Rookie of the Year

Finalists

  • Scottie Barnes, Raptors (winner)
  • Cade Cunningham, Pistons
  • Evan Mobley, Cavaliers

Previous winners

Season Winner
2021-22 Scottie Barnes, Raptors
2020-21 LaMelo Ball, Hornets
2019-20 Ja Morant, Grizzlies
2018-19 Luka Doncic, Mavericks
2017-18 Ben Simmons, 76ers
2016-17 Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks
2015-16 Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves
2014-15 Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves
2013-14 Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers
2012-13 Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
2011-12 Blake Griffin, Clippers

Defensive Player of the Year

Finalists

  • Marcus Smart, Celtics (winner)
  • Mikal Bridges, Suns
  • Rudy Gobert, Jazz 

Previous winners

Season Winner
2021-22 Marcus Smart, Celtics
2020-21 Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2019-20 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2018-19 Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2017-18 Rudy Gobert, Jazz
2016-17 Draymond Green, Warriors
2015-16 Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
2014-15 Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
2013-14 Joakim Noah, Bulls
2012-13 Marc Gasol, Grizzlies
2011-12 Tyson Chandler, Knicks

Sixth Man of the Year

Finalists

  • Tyler Herro, Heat (winner)
  • Cam Johnson, Suns
  • Kevin Love, Cavaliers

Previous winners

Season Winner
2021-22 Tyler Herro, Heat
2020-21 Jordan Clarkson, Jazz
2019-20 Montrezl Harrell, Clippers
2018-19 Lou Williams, Clippers
2017-18 Lou Williams, Clippers
2016-17 Eric Gordon, Rockets
2015-16 Jamal Crawford, Clippers
2014-15 Lou Williams, Raptors
2013-14 Jamal Crawford, Clippers
2012-13 J.R. Smith, Knicks
2011-12 James Harden, Thunder

Most Improved Player

Finalists

  • Ja Morant, Grizzlies (winner)
  • Darius Garland, Cavaliers
  • Dejounte Murray, Spurs

Previous winners

Season Winner
2021-22 Ja Morant, Grizzlies
2020-21 Julius Randle, Knicks
2019-20 Brandon Ingram, Pelicans
2018-19 Pascal Siakam, Raptors
2017-18 Victor Oladipo, Pacers
2016-17 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
2015-16 C.J. McCollum, Trail Blazers
2014-15 Jimmy Butler, Bulls
2013-14 Goran Dragic, Suns
2012-13 Paul George, Pacers
2011-12 Ryan Anderson, Magic

Coach of the Year

Finalists

  • Monty Williams, Suns (winner)
  • Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies
  • Erik Spoelstra, Heat

Previous winners

Season Winner
2021-22 Monty Williams, Suns
2020-21 Tom Thibodeau, Knicks
2019-20 Nick Nurse, Raptors
2018-19 Mike Budenholzer, Bucks
2017-18 Dwane Casey, Raptors
2016-17 Mike D'Antoni, Rockets
2015-16 Steve Kerr, Warriors
2014-15 Mike Budenholzer, Hawks
2013-14 Gregg Popovich, Spurs
2012-13 George Karl, Nuggets
2011-12 Gregg Popovich, Spurs

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.