With the 2025-2026 NBA regular season wrapped up, it is time to hand out the hardware. Everyone knows the big awards (MVP, DPOY, 6MOY, ROY, COY and MIP) but that is only part of the story of the story. Every season has its own narratives and surprises that do not fit the traditional trophy awards. So along with the official award picks, I will be hanging the “2026 Sideline Seaqs NBA Banners” for the underrated, unexpected and forgotten storylines of the year. Here we go…
The Trophies
MVP- Nikola Jokic
No, he is not gonna win, but should he? Yes.
The baseline for this pick to me is quite simple: Value. Jokic is not just putting up elite numbers that the NBA has never seen before, he is the engine of everything the Denver Nuggets do. Anyone who is reading this is most likely already aware that no one has ever led the league in both rebounds per game and assists per game, until right now when Jokic just did that. Oh and by the way still averaged nearly 28 points per game. Statistically, it isn’t a question.
Sure SGA is the best player on the best team and everything he had done this season is undeniably impressive. But that’s exactly the point, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team. How they play has much more to do with the deep rotation of versatile players then straight up value of Shai. Meanwhile, Jokic is the Nuggets system. The style of play Denver runs is completely different when he is off the court versus when he is playing.
One final thing that I don’t think is being talked about a lot is the OKC dominance last year compared to this year significantly decreased. I can understand SGA winning it last year finishing with a 16 game lead in the west over the second place Lakers. That is undeniable dominance and in a case that like sure give it to the best player on the best team. This season the Spurs had them in must win games up until a week ago in order to win the conference. And that 16 game lead from first to second last year? That would include all 6 playoff teams this season.
DPOY- Victor Wembanyama
No need to waste my words on this one, it’s Wemby. Led the league in blocks by more then a block per game, no one went into the paint in San Antonio with a clean path, he met the game requirement, case closed.
6MOY- Keldon Johnson
Johnson really became the heavy favorite for this award when he followed Wembanyama’s footsteps and stated his case during media, and in his defense he isn’t entirely wrong. On a team that was not expected to be fighting for the one seed in the west, Keldon truly embraced his role of coming off the bench after starting in the prior seasons. He provided consistent scoring and efficiency with the second unit that provided smooth transitions when the starters would come off the court.
Johnson also averaged 23 minutes per game AND played in all 82 games on the season. The best ability is availability especially when the team is relying on your production off the bench.
ROY- Kon Knueppel
Over the last month or so of the NBA season this award had become a pretty interesting debate between the Duke teammates Knueppel and Flagg. Rightfully so because Cooper Flagg did have a tremendous last couple of weeks including a 50 burger. However, in my opinion Kon was a massive piece in the Hornets puzzle and was able to help lead them into a home game in the Play In Tournament. Now I will say winning isn’t really a factor in the ROY race, given most of these guys are placed into horrible situations. But, leading the league in 3 pointers made, setting the rookie record for 3 pointers in a season, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on a efficient 47.5% shooting and 42.5% from beyond the arc all while playing in 81 games is certainly deserving.
All that being said, If Cooper Flagg won it wouldn’t be the craziest robbery of all time. There is a part of me that thinks the league will give it to Flagg in order for him to stack trophies in his case for when they try and make him a face of the league, but… who knows.
MIP- Nickeil Alexander-Walker
I’ll be completely honest I think this award is stupid. Alexander-Walker is probably the most deserving given his PPG essentially doubling from last season in Minnesota and shooting slightly more efficiently. A case could be made for his teammate Jalen Johnson as well.The reason I think this award is dumb is because the NBA and statistics all come from being in the right place at the right time, especially for this award. The people who win this usually are bench players who are given a starting role on a new team, or an opportunity if someone on their team gets traded. I think a lot of NBA players would be just as good as NAW if they were traded to start in the Hawks lineup. It isn’t a coincidence the Hawks traded Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Dejounte Murray and all the sudden Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and NAW are getting better stats. Good for them I guess though, they’re still winning.
COY- J.B Bickerstaff
This one is pretty simple to me, the Pistons improved their win total by 16 games and won the Eastern Conference I would say quite convincingly. Mitch Johnson certainly has a case with the Spurs, along with Mazulla again in Boston. However, I value Bickerstaff winning the conference and completely turning around this franchise more then the other coaches in consideration.
The 2026 Sideline Seaqs Banners
The “Sorry we already forgot about you” Banner- Chris Paul — As unfortunate as it may seem, a lot of the NBA community forgets that a top 5 PG of all time just retired after playing in 16 games this year. I guess I wonder how different it may have been if he made the announcement prior to the year. Anyways, respect CP3.
The “Please stop dressing like that” Banner- Chet Holmgren — Maybe this stems from me simply not liking him, but the 7 foot 200 pound white guy needs to stop dressing up like he is at fashion week every gameday.
The “Lets just try and lay it in next time” Banner- Moses Moody — ………
The “Luke Kennard Award” Banner- Bez Mbeng — This award is given to the most random player to get a triple double this season. Shoutout Bez.
The “Bam Adebayo stat line of the year” Banner — Jahmai Mashack —
Can you believe it? The Luke Kennard award and the Bam Adebayo award are both given out in the same game?!? Yes, Jahmai Mashack of the Memphis Grizzlies messed around and finished with 13 points, 15 rebounds, 14 assists, 10 turnovers (quadruple double alert) AND 48:00 minutes. Didn’t sit for a single second. That is how you stack a stat line up.
In all seriousness this year in the association was full of great and fun story lines, and excited to see what the playoffs have in store.