Green and Kuminga are the highlights of ESPN’s price predictions for the 2024-25 season. Originally published on NBC Sports Bay Area
The basketball world has been quiet since the Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals and Warriors superstar Steph Curry dominated the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, winning gold for Team USA.
So the forecast season is getting more intense.
ESPN recently published a superlatives column for the 2024-25 NBA season, highlighting some interesting Golden State stories. The network released more predictions on Tuesday, voted on by its experts, which also include some Warriors players:
Who will be named Defensive Player of the Year?
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: 76 points (67% of first place votes)
2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves: 29 points (5%)
3. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat: 26 points (14%)
4. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers: 14 points
5. Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks: 10 points (5%)
6. Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics: 8 points (5%)
7. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: 5 points (5%)
T-8. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors: 4 points
T-8. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks: 4 points
T-8. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: 4 points
T-9. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 points
T-9. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies: 3 points
T-9. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 points
T-10. Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans: 1 point
T-10. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics: 1 point
T-10. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder: 1 point
Green, 34, is no longer the two-way star he once was.
However, the four-time NBA champion never shies away from a challenge – especially on defense.
Green was named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2016–17 season after averaging two steals, 1.4 blocks and 7.9 rebounds.
Green is on ESPN’s list because he was named All-Defensive eight times during his 13-year NBA career.
Warriors fans would love to see the four-time All-Star return to form on defense, and Golden State as a team would appreciate it, too.
Who will be recognized as the player with the greatest performance improvements?
T-1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: 26 points (14% of first place votes)
T-1. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder: 26 points (10%)
3. Coby White, Chicago Bulls: 25 points (14%)
4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons: 22 points (14%)
5. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets: 14 points (10%)
T-6. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs: 12 points (5%)
T-6. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets: 12 points (5%)
7. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers: 11 points (5%)
8. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors: 10 points (10%)
9. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic: 7 points
T-10. RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors: 5 points (5%)
T-10. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: 5 points (5%)
T-10. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets: 5 points (5%)
The fact that Wembanyama is at the top of this list…after being selected No. 1 in the 2023 NBA Draft and being the reigning Rookie of the Year…shows what the Most Improved Player award is all about.
Nevertheless, Kuminga deserves this consideration.
The rising star played a phenomenal fourth NBA season, averaging career-highs of 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds, a big jump from his previous season’s averages of 9.9 and 3.4, respectively.
With Klay Thompson gone and Golden State also needing points, Kuminga should get even more freedom, which, if all goes well, makes him a potential candidate for the NBA All-Star.
1. Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks: 29 points (19% of first place votes)
2. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder: 24 points (19%)
3. Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics: 22 points (19%)
4. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs: 18 points (5%)
5. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers: 16 points (14%)
6. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers: 15 points (5%)
7. Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies: 14 points (10%)
8. Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat: 13 points (5%)
9. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets: 12 points (5%)
10. Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic: 8 points
Other recipients of votes: Ty Lue, LA Clippers, Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix Suns, Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings, Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves, Steve Kerr, Golden State WarriorsJason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
Kerr was named NBA Coach of the Year with the Warriors in the 2015/16 season. The year before, he came in second.
Kerr was named Coach of the Month eight times during his 11-year NBA coaching career – always with Golden State.
Named to the “15 Best Coaches in NBA History” list for the 2021-22 season, Kerr now has the opportunity to add to his resume by leading the struggling, aging Warriors team — which was supposed to be led by Curry — to excellence.
Golden State frustratingly missed the playoffs last season, and if Kerr can revitalize the franchise, he could be in line for a second Coach of the Year award.
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