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Five contenders for every 2017-18 NBA award
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

Five contenders for every 2017-18 NBA award

The start of the 2017-18 NBA season is just around the corner, and already fans are salivating over what should be some very competitive award races. Last year we saw Russell Westbrook claim MVP, Draymond Green take home Defensive Player of the Year and Mike D'Antoni named Coach of the Year.

The following features five contenders for the league Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year.

 
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MVP: Kawhi Leonard, Spurs

MVP: Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
Kelvin Kuo / USA Today Sports Images

Leonard has finished in the top three in MVP voting over the last two seasons, and he's the favorite this year, according to Bovada. An elite defensive player, Leonard peaked at 25.5 points per game last season.

 
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MVP: LeBron James, Cavaliers

MVP: LeBron James, Cavaliers
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

The four-time MVP could take on a bigger scoring role early in the year with Isaiah Thomas working his way back from a major hip injury. He averaged 26.4 points and a career-high 8.6 rebounds last season.

 
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MVP: Kevin Durant, Warriors

MVP: Kevin Durant, Warriors
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Durant's 25.1 points per game last season was the lowest since his rookie season, but his value was still astronomical for Golden State. If the Warriors continue to win at will, Durant seems the most likely on the team to win the MVP.

 
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MVP: Russell Westbrook, Thunder

MVP: Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Justin Ford / USA Today Sports Images

The reigning MVP averaged a triple-double last season and will now have more help after the Thunder added Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. The company could hurt him on the stats sheet, but Westbrook has also led the league in points per game in two of the last three seasons.

 
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MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

The Greek Freak has made great strides in his four NBA seasons, finishing with 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season. With Milwaukee expected to take a big step forward this season, he's certainly in the MVP conversation.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Lonzo Ball, Lakers

Rookie of the Year: Lonzo Ball, Lakers
Richard Mackson / USA Today Sports Images

Ball has been the talk of the summer, and he will control the Lakers at the point. While he might not be an elite scorer, Ball very well could average a double-double in his rookie season.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Dennis Smith Jr., Mavericks

Rookie of the Year: Dennis Smith Jr., Mavericks
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Smith was a steal for the Mavs with the ninth pick in the draft, averaging 18.1 points in his only season at N.C. State. Without much of a supporting cast in Dallas, he will get plenty of opportunities to run up his stats.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons, 76ers

Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons, 76ers
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

After a full year off following injury, the 2016 first overall draft choice is ready to roll. He's a force to be reckoned with in the paint, averaging 19.2 points and 11.8 rebounds in his only season at LSU.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Jayson Tatum, Celtics

Rookie of the Year: Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Tatum has impressive offensive talent, though it remains to be seen how big of a role he will get with the competitive Celtics. He averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game at Duke last season.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Markelle Fultz, 76ers

Rookie of the Year: Markelle Fultz, 76ers
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

The first overall pick in the draft, Fultz will have a plenty of opportunities to shine on a young Sixers squad. He averaged 23.2 points on a very bad Washington squad last season, but he has the long shot (41 percent from three) and the ability to distribute the ball.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard, Spurs

Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
Adam Hunger / USA Today Sports Images

Leonard has won the Defensive Player of the Year Award twice already and is certainly one of the front-runners for the award entering this season. He's had at least 1.7 steals per game in each of his last five seasons.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green, Warriors

Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green, Warriors
Jaime Valdez / USA Today Sports Images

The defending award winner, Green had a league-high two steals per game last season while also averaged 1.4 blocks. His focus has been more on defense after the Warriors added Kevin Durant last season.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Jazz

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Chris Nicoll / USA Today Sports Images

Gobert has developed into an elite presence in the paint for the Jazz. He had a league-high 2.6 blocks per game last season.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Butler, Timberwolves

Defensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Butler, Timberwolves
Richard Mackson / USA Today Sports Images

Known as one of the top perimeter defenders in the game, Butler had an impressive 1.9 steals per game with the Bulls last season. He could get more attention this year on an improved Minnesota squad.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Hassan Whiteside, Heat

Defensive Player of the Year: Hassan Whiteside, Heat
John E. Sokolowski / USA Today Sports Images

Whiteside is a load in the paint. He had a league-high 3.7 blocks per game in 2015-16 and led the league with 14.1 rebounds per game last season. Miami's star player is certainly in the award conversation again this season.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, Clippers

Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, Clippers
Thomas Shea / USA Today Sports Images

Acquired in the Chris Paul trade, Williams won the Sixth Man Award in 2014-15 and will have another opportunity this year. He's well-versed in the role, averaging 17.5 points and with 5.5 three-point attempts per game last season.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Andre Iguodala, Warriors

Sixth Man of the Year: Andre Iguodala, Warriors
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Averaging more than 26 minutes per game off the bench in each of the last three seasons, Iguodala has taken well to his bench role in Golden State. His contribution doesn't go unnoticed for what will likely be the NBA's winningest team again.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Eric Gordon, Rockets

Sixth Man of the Year: Eric Gordon, Rockets
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The defending Sixth Man of the Year, Gordon averaged 16.2 points off the bench for the Rockets last season. His role will be similar this year after Houston's significant offseason.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Jae Crowder, Cavaliers

Sixth Man of the Year: Jae Crowder, Cavaliers
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

A starter over the last two seasons in Boston, Crowder will likely spend more time on the bench after moving to Cleveland. He's still a very important player for the team, averaging 13.9 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Celtics last season.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Derrick Rose, Cavaliers

Sixth Man of the Year: Derrick Rose, Cavaliers
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Moving to the bench could be just what the doctor ordered for the oft-injured Rose. He averaged 18 points for the Knicks last season and could still see plenty of starts for Cleveland until Isaiah Thomas is healthy.

 
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Most Improved: Rodney Hood, Jazz

Most Improved: Rodney Hood, Jazz
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

With Gordon Hayward out of the way, Utah will need someone else to step up as a scorer. Hood averaged 12.7 points per game last season but should get more shots this year.

 
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Most Improved: D'Angelo Russell, Nets

Most Improved: D'Angelo Russell, Nets
Noah K. Murray / USA Today Sports Images

Russell's situation with the Lakers became uncomfortable after his off-court woes, but he still averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 assists during his sophomore season. He will get an opportunity to lead the Nets this season with a change of scenery.

 
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Most Improved: Myles Turner, Pacers

Most Improved: Myles Turner, Pacers
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

Turner becomes the face of the Pacers after the team traded Paul George. He averaged 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game last season and could be on the cusp of becoming a truly dominant player this year.

 
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Most Improved: Brandon Ingram, Lakers

Most Improved: Brandon Ingram, Lakers
Richard Mackson / USA Today Sports Images

The second overall pick in last year's draft, Ingram started only 40 games in his rookie season. Now that he has more experience under his belt, Ingram should get more minutes and opportunities to use his advanced offensive game.

 
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Most Improved: Devin Booker, Suns

Most Improved: Devin Booker, Suns
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Booker already averaged 22.1 points per game last season, but his all-around stats were otherwise not jaw-dropping. As the centerpiece of the Suns roster, Booker has an opportunity to take another step forward in his third year.

 
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Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Warriors

Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Warriors
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Kerr has been on and off the court over the last two years due to back trouble, but he will hopefully be 100 percent this year. The Warriors remain the overwhelming favorites to win their third NBA championship in four years under Kerr.

 
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Coach of the Year: Mike D'Antoni, Rockiets

Coach of the Year: Mike D'Antoni, Rockiets
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

D'Antoni's squad was one of last year's surprise teams with 55 regular-season wins. After adding Chris Paul, the Rockets have a chance to take another step forward.

 
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Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Celtics

Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Celtics
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

Stevens has consistently exceeded expectations during his NBA tenure. Now the expectations in Boston are quite high after adding Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum. It would likely take at least 60 wins for Stevens to win the award, but the Celtics are capable.

 
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Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich, Spurs

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich, Spurs
Soobum Im / USA Today Sports Images

Always a top candidate for Coach of the Year, Popovich has won the award three times with the Spurs. Jumping Steve Kerr and Co. will be difficult, but Popovich is an elite tactician in his field.

 
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Coach of the Year: Billy Donovan, Thunder

Coach of the Year: Billy Donovan, Thunder
Thomas Shea / USA Today Sports Images

Donovan has done a nice job in his transition to the NBA, winning 102 games over his first two seasons. After the Thunder acquired Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, Donovan's squad has a chance to take a huge step forward.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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