The RSMAZ NBA Mid-Season Awards 2026

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: NIKOLA JOKIC, NUGGETS

I was going to go outside of the box, but the Joker continues to carry his team and possibly, the NBA with a triple-double average (28.7 pts, 12.3 reb, 10.7 ast, 59.0 fg%). Dude is dominating, deal with it.

ROOKIE OF THE MID-YEAR: COOPER FLAGG, MAVERICKS

It's him over former Duke teammate Kon Kneuppel, Coop has captured the minds of basketball fans and heartbroken Dallas fans who are trying to move on from that trade. Pencil him in as the face of the franchise for years to come.......

COACH OF THE MID-YEAR: JB BICKERSTAFF, PISTONS

Two years ago, they were riding a 28-game losing streak and was the laughingstock of the league. Now, they are the #1 team in the Eastern Conference and that's JB Bickerstaff. He changed the culture and unlocked DETROIT BASKETBALL!

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: NICKELL ALEXANDER-WALKER, HAWKS

He went from excellent bench player in Minnesota to explosive 20+ scorer in Atlanta.

EXECUTIVE OF THE MID-YEAR: TRAJAN LANGDON, PISTONS

Bickerstaff would not have this without Trajan Langdon and some of the moves he made to help Detroit in their turnaround.

SIXTH MAN OF THE MID-YEAR: NAZ REID, TIMBERWOLVES

Once again, Naz has cemented himself as the best sixth man in the NBA. He has earned his extension during the off-season.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER: WEMBY, SPURS

Should have won it last year but injuries cut that idea, this year will leave no doubt.

THE RSMAZ VERSION

MOST IMPROVED TEAM: PHOENIX SUNS

I might have to draft my apology to Mat Ishiba.

LEAST IMPROVED TEAM: SACRAMENTO KINGS

I might have to draft a rage letter to Vivek Ranadive

MOST IMPROVED COACH (RICK ADLEMAN AWARD) DARKO RAJAKOVIC, RAPTORS

In a year where they are supposed to be rebuilding, Darko has the Raptors winning.

ROLE PLAYER (TJ WARREN AWARD) MOUSSA DIABATE, HORNETS

This has nothing to do with stats, but more with being a catalyst to their rise.

LEAST IMPROVED PLAYER: ZACCHARIE RISACHER, HAWKS

They are already throwing the B (bust) word around for the former #1 overall pick.

LEAST INSPIRING TRADE: TRAE YOUNG, WIZARDS

Atlanta really received an expiring contract and a role player for Trae Young.

TEAM WITH AN IDENTITY CRISIS: CHICAGO BULLS

The Bulls traded for a lot of guards, so are they trying to start an under 6' 8" league?

WORST WAY TO TREAT A LEGEND: CLIPPERS WITH CP3

The Clippers decided that they didn't want the advice of a future Hall-of-Famer and sent him home.

AND FINALLY, THE TANK JOB OF THE DECADE AWARD GOES TO THE UTAH JAZZ

This franchise isn't hiding the fact that they don't want to win. I feel bad for Jazz fans, but at least the Mammoth could be playoff bound.....

Here comes the Kleenex.

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