NBA insider Bill Simmons has weighed in—casting his vote for Jokic. On The Bill Simmons Podcast, he cited the Nuggets star’s statistical dominance, particularly his near triple-double average, as the deciding factor.

“I voted for Jokic. I thought it was the best offensive season I’ve seen since Jordan—what he did game after game, quarter after quarter,” Simmons said. “All the stuff he did for that team… To be top three in points, rebounds, and assists is bonkers. I just can’t believe it. And it’s not like he was padding stats like Westbrook did in 2017.”

Simmons’ argument holds weight. Jokic has continued to evolve into a historically dominant player, with his numbers steadily improving year after year. If he doesn’t win MVP this season despite averaging a triple-double, it would mark the first time in NBA history a player with such production doesn’t receive the award.

Why Simmons chose Jokic

Simmons admits the choice wasn’t easy, but a particular performance tipped the scale—a rare 60-point triple-double that solidified Jokic’s place in NBA history.

“I was leaning there, leaning there, and then that 60-10-10 game—I was just like, ‘This is it,’” Simmons said. “We may never see anything like this again. I just had to pick him.”

Denver closed the regular season with a 50-32 record, fourth in the Western Conference, while Oklahoma City topped the league at 68-14. But for Simmons, the win-loss column didn’t tell the full story.

Simmons on the MVP Narrative

The Ringer founder also addressed Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable season, acknowledging SGA’s historic guard play while pointing to Jokic’s impact with a less dynamic supporting cast.

“The problem with the SGA candidacy—and he’s been amazing, we’ve talked about it—he’s having one of the best offensive seasons ever for a guard,” Simmons said. “But if you gave Jokic the roster SGA has from two through twelve, I’m pretty sure he wins 65 to 70 games too. And that’s where it gets dicey.”

Simmons wrapped up with a strong statement about legacy: “What are you going to remember from this season? For me, it’s what Jokic did with this messed-up Nuggets team. They fired their coach with a week left—and he still had the greatest offensive season I’ve seen since Jordan.”

“I want to see what happens with the Butler trade. Butler is clearly — this is happening soon,” Simmons stated, sparking widespread discussions. While he didn’t disclose the source of his information, it has fueled debates about Butler’s future. Could there be substance to Simmons’ claim, or is it simply speculation?

This season, Butler is averaging 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, boasting an impressive 55.2% shooting from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. Unsurprisingly, several teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the six-time All-Star. Among the potential suitors are the Golden State Warriors, who are seeking additional support for their core stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Other franchises reportedly in the mix include the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, and Phoenix Suns. If Simmons’ prediction holds true, a Jimmy Butler trade could reshape the landscape of the NBA. For Miami, currently navigating a highly competitive Eastern Conference, losing their franchise cornerstone would be a significant blow.

Butler’s Championship Aspirations

Since leading the Heat to the NBA Finals twice in the past four years, Butler has cemented his status as one of the league’s most resilient and clutch performers. However, at 34 years old, Butler is aware that his window to secure another championship is narrowing.

While Miami’s culture and competitive edge have been instrumental in their recent success, questions linger about whether the current roster has the depth to challenge dominant Eastern Conference teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics.

For Butler, the idea of joining a team with a stronger supporting cast might be tempting. Teams like the Warriors or Lakers offer proven championship pedigrees and established stars, potentially providing him with a better opportunity to compete at the highest level.

However, after so many rumors involving Bill Simmons himself in recent weeks, Lillard’s future is uncertain and things are unlikely to end as some podcasters, analysts, and reporters predict.

Until now, Lillard has been linked with 4-6 franchises, including the Miami Heat, who aspire to reach the playoffs again and win the long-awaited title that they have lost twice in a row in two Finals appearances.

What did Bill Simmons say about Damian Lillard and a probable Big 3?

According to what Bill Simmons said during one of his podcast episodes, he thinks Lillard should go to Minnesota to join the Timberwolves and form a championship-contending Big 3 alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert.

Damian Lillard has never won an NBA Championship before, but he knows what it’s like to play in the playoffs, with over 61 games started in the postseason since 2014.