***NBA writer Tim Bontemps released his official 2026 awards ballot, outlining his picks for MVP, All‑NBA, Sixth Man, and other honors.***[1]

The ballot matters because it signals how voters are interpreting the league’s new 65‑game eligibility rule, a factor that could shift the traditional hierarchy of award candidates and affect player contract negotiations and fan expectations.[5]

Tim Bontemps, a veteran NBA writer, is in his 10th year as an official awards voter, giving his selections added weight among the league’s media panel.[4] His ballot, posted on ESPN and MSN, lists his choices for every major honor, from Most Valuable Player to top rookie, providing a snapshot of the season’s standout performances.[2]

The NBA’s new rule requires a player to appear in at least 65 regular‑season games to qualify for most individual awards, tightening eligibility criteria that previously allowed players with fewer games to contend for honors.[5] The threshold directly impacts high‑profile candidates who missed time due to injury or rest, prompting voters to reassess traditional metrics.

Sources differ on Bontemps’ MVP pick. The ESPN article said Luka Doncic is his top choice, while the MSN report said Victor Wembanyama is the MVP selection on the same ballot.[1][2] A Yahoo analysis said Luka Doncic would be ineligible for MVP under the 65‑game rule, yet the ESPN piece said Bontemps still considered him among his MVP candidates.[5][1]

Beyond MVP, Bontemps also named his All‑NBA First, Second, and Third Teams, selected a Sixth Man, and identified the top rookie of the 2025‑26 season, the campaign currently under review by the voting panel.[2]

Published in mid‑April 2026, the ballot arrives during the league’s official voting window, giving fans and analysts a clear view of how one of the most experienced voters is navigating the rule change and setting expectations for the final award outcomes.[3]

**What this means**: The 65‑game eligibility rule is already forcing voters like Bontemps to balance statistical excellence with durability, potentially elevating players who stay healthy throughout the season while sidelining those whose impact was limited by missed games. As the voting period progresses, the rule could produce a reshuffled roster of award winners, highlighting the league’s broader emphasis on player availability and the strategic management of minutes.

“The 65‑game rule reshapes award eligibility across the league.”

The 65‑game eligibility rule is already forcing voters like Bontemps to balance statistical excellence with durability, potentially elevating players who stay healthy throughout the season while sidelining those whose impact was limited by missed games. As the voting period progresses, the rule could produce a reshuffled roster of award winners, highlighting the league’s broader emphasis on player availability and the strategic management of minutes.