2017 NBA awards: LeBron James is not a finalist for MVP

James missed out in favor of Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard. Here are the other award finalists.

May 20, 2017, 12:05 AM UTC

NBA: Playoffs-Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The nominees for the NBA’s marquee season-ending award show on TNT on June 26 have officially been unveiled, along with a number of specialty categories. One key man missing: LeBron James. He missed out on the MVP award, thanks largely to the Cavaliers’ late-season swoon.

Instad, James Harden and Russell Westbrook are finalists for Most Valuable Player, along with Kawhi Leonard. Westbrook is the overwhelming favorite to win, based on an analysis of the 100-person media panel by SB Nation Rockets site, The Dream Shake.

The league also announced the finalists for Rookie of the Year, Executive of the Year, Sixth Man, Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defense, All-Rookie, and other awards. In addition, TNT is allowing fans to vote on six specialty categories: Best Style, Block of the Year, Game-Winner of the Year, Assist of the Year, Dunk of the Year, and Performance of the Year.

This is the first year of the season-ending award show, which will be hosted by Drake. In the past, the league announced the winners during the first week of the playoffs.