The 2025-26 NBA regular season has wrapped, and as the playoffs loom, the debate over the league's annual awards is reaching a fever pitch. Players across the association have made their final cases, hoping to secure one of basketball's most coveted pieces of hardware.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, this awards season could be particularly fruitful. The team is poised to have multiple finalists, headlined by the undeniable MVP candidacy of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's in prime position to secure back-to-back MVP trophies, a feat that would place him among the game's all-time elite.

While official voting is reserved for 100 select media members, it's always fun to play armchair analyst. So, let's dive into an unofficial ballot for the major awards, setting aside the league's 65-game rule for the sake of a more exciting conversation.

Starting with the big one: Most Valuable Player. This one feels like a lock. Leading the best team in the league from wire to wire, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should cruise to his second consecutive MVP. Any late-season tension has evaporated, and a unanimous selection wouldn't be surprising. He's not just the engine of the Thunder; he's authored one of the most efficient scoring campaigns in modern history, averaging 31.1 points on a blistering 55.3% shooting. With four straight 30-point seasons, he's in a statistical realm shared only by legends like Michael Jordan. Back-to-back MVPs would cement his status as the defining superstar of this era.

Now, for a bolder prediction: Defensive Player of the Year. I'm casting my (unofficial) vote for Chet Holmgren. Yes, Victor Wembanyama is the overwhelming favorite and will likely win unanimously in reality. But consider this: the Thunder have once again established themselves as the league's premier defense, and Holmgren is the central pillar of that identity. He's more than just a shot-blocker; he's a defensive system unto himself, warping the geometry of every opponent's half-court offense. Advanced metrics consistently rank him among the game's most impactful players, and his durability has been a major asset. While Wembanyama's individual brilliance is otherworldly, Holmgren's role in anchoring the NBA's best defense deserves serious recognition.