Sunday, April 19, 2026

Michael Jordan MVP Headlines NBA’s 6 Redesigned Trophies

  • The NBA has redesigned six trophies for season-ending awards.
  • The new designs were created in honor of previous winners.
Michael Jordan sitting court side of NBA game
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA has redesigned the trophies for six of its season-ending awards to honor previous winners — starting with a trophy for the MVP modeled after Michael Jordan.

In a statement, commissioner Adam Silver said the goal was to “celebrate some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA.”

Jordan’s trophy was designed with the help of former Nike and Jordan Brand executive Mark Smith. The trophy depicts Jordan reaching for a basketball while coming out of a rock at the base. 

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who won the 2021 MVP title, will receive the first trophy.

The other new trophies include:

  • The Jerry West Trophy to honor the Clutch Player of the Year
  • The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year
  • The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy for Rookie of the Year
  • The John Havlicek Trophy for Sixth Man of the Year
  • The George Mikan Trophy for Most Improved Player of the Year

The trophies follow the NBA’s recent trend of emphasizing its history, given that it’s still relatively young compared with other men’s leagues like MLB. In 2021, the league celebrated its 75th year.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

March Madness Hero Braylon Mullins Will Stay at UConn

The Huskies star will return for his sophomore season.

Caitlin Clark Prioritizes Health As WNBA Banks on Her Availability

The Indiana Fever star played in just 13 games last season.

Liberty Stars Are Taking Major Pay Cuts to Chase a WNBA Title

The new CBA makes it harder for teams to sign multiple max players.
Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Azzi Fudd poses for a photo on the orange carpet before the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Wings Shut Down Question to Azzi Fudd About Paige Bueckers Relationship

The Wings selected Fudd first overall earlier this week.

Featured Today

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.

LIV Golf Moves On to Trump D.C. Event After Rocky Week in Mexico

Jon Rahm won the $4 million first-place check at LIV Mexico City.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34.
April 17, 2026

Joe Flacco Sounds Alarm on 18-Game Schedule

The veteran QB warns such expansion could hurt the playoffs.
April 19, 2026

NFL Draft Shake-Up: 6 Teams Now With Multiple First-Round Picks

The Giants acquired the 10th pick from the Bengals over the weekend.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Apr 15, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) clears the puck from the goal with Dallas Stars left wing Adam Erne (73) in pursuit in the third period at KeyBank Center.
April 17, 2026

New-Look NHL Playoffs Set As League Rides Attendance Wave

This year’s playoff field includes several upstarts and fresh storylines.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 4, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Byeong Hun An in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
April 17, 2026

LIV Golf CEO: League Looking for New Investors

Scott O’Neil admitted LIV will need to raise money moving forward.
April 16, 2026

Grand Slam Track’s Contentious Bankruptcy Is Over. Now What?

With bankruptcy over, Grand Slam is cleared to try a comeback.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
April 16, 2026

NBA Bends 65-Game Awards Rule for Dončić, Cunningham

Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, lost his appeal.