NBA 2019-20 Season: Predicting the regular season award winners

Defensive Player of the Year: Mitchell Robinson

Mitchell Robinson

The Knicks' center might be the best shot-blocker in the NBA and is a fantastic rebounder on both ends of the floor. Even though Gobert will play the same role for Utah, the Jazz may be a bit worse defensively with the departures of Derrick Favors and Jae Crowder.

Hence, for these reasons, if Robinson gets to play 30+ minutes a game next season, it's almost certain that he'll win this award because the numbers say that there is no better rim protector than the extremely athletic 7'1 center out of Chalmette.

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Most Improved Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Austin Rivers

The sophomore guard is tipped for a breakout season as he will have a bigger role in OKC especially when Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari and maybe even Steven Adams are possibly traded away. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is fantastic at being a playmaker, driving to the rim, and playing great perimeter defense.

He gets loads of rebounds and can shoot the ball from downtown occasionally too. If he can make strides in shooting and become more confident by dominating games with his all-round play next season, there is certainly a good chance for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win the 2019-20 Most Improved Player award.