San Antonio, Texas – The latest NBA.com survey of the league’s 30 general managers shows a clear consensus: Victor Wembanyama is expected to dominate the 2026‑27 season. The 7‑foot‑4 rookie earned 23 of a possible 29 votes for Most Valuable Player, a 77% share, and swept every vote for Defensive Player of the Year.
Spurs projected to win championship
The poll also named the San Antonio Spurs as the favorite to win the NBA title, receiving 50% of the votes. The Oklahoma City Thunder came in a close second with 43%.
Because clubs cannot vote for their own personnel, each ballot could contain up to 29 votes. The GMs’ selections reflect both on‑court performance and the perceived impact of team construction.
Positional awards and other highlights
Beyond the top honors, the survey identified the league’s best players at each position. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander of Oklahoma City was the overwhelming choice for best point guard (67%). Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards captured best shooting guard (73%). Miami’s Giannis Antetokounmpo was named best power forward (70%). Nikola Jokic of Denver received 63% of the votes for best center, while Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers edged Boston’s Jayson Tatum for best small forward (37% to 33%).
For best coach, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra led the field with 43% of the votes, narrowly ahead of Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault (37%). Stephen Curry of Golden State was essentially unanimous as the league’s best shooter, earning 97% of the votes despite the survey rule that prevented his own team from voting for him.
Additional recognitions
Nikola Jokic also topped the poll for best passer (87%) and was selected as the player with the highest basketball IQ (67%). Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks was named the league’s best leader (53%). Houston’s Amen Thompson earned the nod for most athletic player (63%). Indiana coach Rick Carlisle received the most votes for best offensive coach (47%) and for best in‑game adjustments (30%).
Philadelphia was recognized by the GMs as having made the best offseason moves (73%) after acquiring LeBron James and Jayson Brown, while Giannis Antetokounmpo was chosen as the single acquisition with the greatest impact (53%).
The poll reflects a strong belief among NBA executives that Wembanyama’s unique skill set will translate into both individual accolades and team success for the Spurs. If the predictions hold true, the 2026‑27 season could mark a historic breakthrough for the franchise and a new era of dominance for the young star.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
