In a discussion between the three beat writers of the Wizards, Rockets and Bucks respectively, this is how they’d vote if the season ended today:

Iko: Brunson, Shai, lean Lauri but Mikal close

Nehm: Lauri, Shai, Brunson

Robbins: Brunson, Shai, Lauri

Quotes from each beat writer for their reasoning:

Iko: The Knicks haven’t been taken seriously as a franchise for years on end. Those days are over. They’re a whopping nine points better with Brunson on the floor, good for the 94th percentile. He’s averaging 23.9 points and 6.2 assists per game, shooting 41.1 percent from deep.

Nehm: After putting up 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game last season in Cleveland, Markkanen has averaged 25.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game this season and made his first All-Star appearance in his sixth NBA season.

Robbins: All three players on my ballot have elevated their profiles and, at the very least, taken full advantage of their opportunities. I’m giving the edge to Brunson here because he’s at a premium position on a team that has a 39-27 record.

This sounds similar to two years ago, when Jerami Grant increased his scoring by 10 ppg but his team was ass so they gave it to Randle. The Jazz and Thunder are both under .500 and could miss the postseason outright. Last year, Iko voted for Murray and the other two voted for Ja.