The NBA's 65-game eligibility rule has dramatically reshaped this season's awards race, sidelining some of the league's brightest stars from major honors. Luka Dončić's MVP candidacy is off the table, Cade Cunningham misses out on a deserved First-Team All-NBA spot, and Anthony Edwards also fell short of the games-played threshold. It's a stark reminder of how crucial availability is in the modern NBA.

This year's MVP debate delivered another epic showdown, but with a thrilling new twist. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic battled it out once more, Victor Wembanyama crashed the party, turning it into a legitimate three-man race. Wembanyama's meteoric rise is the defining narrative of the season, living up to the generational hype that preceded his arrival. Though he's the clear favorite for next year and destined for multiple MVP trophies, this season ultimately belongs to a different superstar.

With the regular season in the books, let's break down our picks for every major NBA award.

For half a decade, Nikola Jokic has reigned as the NBA's best player. This season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seized the crown. Choosing SGA over Jokic is agonizing, especially when the Denver big man led the league in rebounds and assists while maintaining his elite scoring. But that just highlights how phenomenal Gilgeous-Alexander has been. Dismissing him as just a "free throw merchant" or crediting OKC's success solely to defense misses the mark entirely. His evolution this year—unleashing a deadly step-back three to win multiple games at the buzzer—cemented his status as the game's premier guard. Averaging 45.3 points per 100 possessions on 66.5% true shooting is a statistical marvel for a 6'6" guard. In the post-Jordan era, only Steph Curry's peak arguably sits higher. SGA isn't just the MVP; he's a force redefining guard play.